The doctor warned about the rules of visiting the sauna in the summer
A sauna is considered a good cardio workout for the heart and blood vessels. However, there are rules and restrictions for visiting the steam room, and it is especially important to observe them in summer. Olga Ulankina, an expert at the Hemotest Laboratory, told Izvestia on July 29 how to steam properly and whether it is worth postponing procedures until autumn.
According to her, if the safety rules are followed, the sauna puts a gentle strain on the heart — it begins to work more actively, thereby strengthening the heart muscle and improving its contractile function. If you steam regularly, there is a natural training of the cardiovascular system.: blood vessels become more elastic and strong, microcirculation improves, and the risk of hypertension and other heart diseases decreases. Under the influence of elevated temperature, blood vessels dilate, blood circulation accelerates and sweating increases. Due to this, metabolic products are removed faster, and overall well-being can improve.: sleep becomes stronger, stress levels decrease, blood pressure normalizes.
"Contrast treatments — a combination of a steam room and subsequent cooling in a pool or a cool shower — stimulate the adaptive capabilities of blood vessels. This means that their tone improves and they can maintain normal blood flow even in stressful situations. However, it should be remembered that not everyone is allowed to immerse themselves in cold water. To refrain from a sharp contrast in temperatures for diseases of the heart or blood vessels, the bronchopulmonary system, kidney failure and others," the doctor said.
She noted: in summer, a sauna is also allowed and useful. But it is important to take into account that the external heat load is already acting on the body: the vessels are dilated, sweating is increased, and the cardiovascular system is working in a more intense mode. Therefore, bathing procedures in the hot season require more caution.
"You should not go to the sauna immediately after exposure to the sun or heavy physical exertion — it can overload the heart, cause dizziness and even loss of consciousness. It is better to postpone the bath procedures for the evening, when the sun is leaving and the air temperature is decreasing. It is better to reduce the duration of vaping: you should not stay in the steam room for more than 5-7 minutes without a break. The temperature in the steam room should be moderate — no higher than +50 ... + 60 degrees. This is enough to train the blood vessels, but not overload the heart," Ulankina explains.
In the heat, everyone, and especially bath lovers, should carefully listen to how they feel. If you suddenly feel weak, dizzy, or have a headache, it's possible that your body has overheated — it's better to go to a cool place and let yourself rest. If symptoms worsen, consult a doctor. It is also extremely important to remember about the drinking regime.
"In the heat, the body loses a lot of fluid even without a steam room, and after each trip to the sauna, the losses increase significantly. If they are not replenished, dehydration may develop. This condition is extremely dangerous: the load on the heart increases greatly, as it is more difficult for the organ to pump thick blood. In addition, with sweat, the most important minerals are lost, without which the heart, brain, and all other vital organs suffer," the doctor reminds.
On February 25, Bator Gonchikov, an andrologist and urologist at the SM Clinic Center for Reproductive Health, told Izvestia that men should remember that if they have certain diseases, including prostatitis, going to the steam room can lead to serious health problems. The doctor noted that exposure to high temperatures can worsen the inflammatory process and increase the unpleasant symptoms of prostatitis.
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