Currently there is a real “sauna boom”. The number of SPA hotels for every taste and budget is growing, separate bath complexes are opening, and bathhouses are springing up like mushrooms on the sites of country houses. The bathhouse has turned not only into an opportunity to carry out hygienic procedures, but also into something special - into a colorful room where you can enjoy incomparable sensations, into a meeting place for friends and celebrations, into an opportunity to relax and quickly restore strength, while receiving an additional surge of strength and energy. Today you can choose not only a Russian bath, but also a Finnish sauna, Turkish hammam, Roman bath, Japanese furo, salt and infrared baths.
This variety allows you to choose an option in each specific case based on your state of health and aesthetic preferences.
What types of baths are there?
Taking a steam bath from time to time is an ancient tradition that has survived to this day and has not lost its popularity. Although the essence of this procedure is the same in all countries, several types are still distinguished, depending on the origin. They differ in the properties of temperature and humidity in the steam room.
- Eastern. The softest of all. Combines relatively low air temperature and optimal humidity.
- Finnish. The temperature in the steam room is more than 100 °C, humidity is 20%, resulting in dry steam.
- Traditional Russian. With a temperature of 60 - 80 ° C, humidity on average from 50 to 80%.
- Roman. Temperature - +50 - 65 ° C, and humidity - 90 - 95%. This species is characterized by a lot of steam, which is why almost nothing in the steam room is visible.
- Turkish (hammam). In recent years it has become very popular in Russia. It is a circle with passages from one steam room to another, the temperature in which gradually increases. Maximum temperature - +95 °C.
Effect on the cardiovascular system
The bath has both benefits and harm. The positive qualities were mentioned earlier; as for the negative ones, they can only be associated with an overdose. This is especially true for those who have problems with blood pressure. In some cases, it is better not to go into the sauna at all, so as not to worsen your situation. There are, of course, benefits to taking a steam bath, but it should be done in moderation, even for an adult. No one has canceled heatstroke, which can easily occur with prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures.
It is important to understand! High temperature increases blood pressure, which occurs due to the dilation of blood vessels. To normalize blood circulation, the heart will have to work faster, and accordingly, its muscles tense up. This is why people with illnesses in this system should be careful.
The benefits of a bath for the body
Steaming in a bathhouse is not only a hygienic procedure. Although first of all it cleanses the body both outside and inside - from dead skin cells, and also removes toxins. The benefits of a bathhouse for human health are not limited to this.
The beneficial properties of the procedure are noted in other cases:
- for health in case of many ailments;
- restoration of strength;
- toning muscles;
- normalization of water-salt metabolism.
One of the properties of the bath is to strengthen the immune system. This benefit is significant: regularly visiting the bathhouse and having a cold are practically incompatible concepts.
In general, the benefit of the Russian bath lies in its general strengthening properties in the absence of contraindications.
It would also be a good idea to visit her a couple of times a month if you are sick:
- joints;
- kidney;
- liver;
- genitourinary system and other organs.
The benefits of the Russian bath for the health of individual organ systems are discussed below.
For the cardiovascular system
The benefits of a steam bath are observed only if the procedure is used correctly and strictly according to the doctor’s recommendations.
After a bath, blood moves faster and easier through the vessels, due to which the body absorbs more oxygen. The blood vessels become more elastic, the heart muscle strengthens. The metabolic processes occurring in the cells return to normal. In particular, the bath is useful for hypotension, as it increases blood pressure.
In this case, cardiovascular disease often becomes a contraindication. For example, if the load on the cardiovascular system is already high, a very high temperature makes it even higher. It becomes difficult for the body to cope with this, which is likely to cause harm and a sharp deterioration in well-being.
Important! For heart and circulatory problems, consultation with a doctor is required before visiting the bathhouse.
For the nervous system
Vaping relieves nervous tension and generally improves the psychological state of the body.
Effectively helps with fatigue. The bath has a relaxing effect and quickly restores strength. It also helps with insomnia and improves mood.
For the respiratory system
The bath is useful for the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract: they are cleansed of dust and germs. Reduces nasal discharge.
Used as an additional remedy along with treatment prescribed by a doctor. It is optimal to steam once a week.
For skin
Not only attending physicians, but also cosmetologists note the benefits of the bath for the condition of the skin.
Massage with a natural broom has a tonic effect. The skin becomes velvety, clogged pores are cleansed. As a result, the skin has a fresher, healthier appearance.
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For the musculoskeletal system
Doctors note the benefits of a bath for joints. By increasing blood circulation, pain is reduced, inflammation and congestion disappear, and the elasticity of cartilage tissue improves.
This property of the bath is beneficial for arthritis, osteochondrosis, radiculitis, etc.
For digestion and metabolism
The benefit for those who take a steam bath is to speed up metabolism and improve digestion. There is also such a beneficial property as a decrease in the acidity of gastric juice.
The procedure is suitable for the prevention and treatment of certain diseases, but only with the permission of a doctor.
For women
The benefit of a bath for a woman’s body is that it improves the condition after childbirth, as well as in the case of miscarriages or abortions.
The procedure is also useful for gynecological diseases, problems with the uterus and ovarian dysfunction.
The benefits of the bath for women after 55 years have been noticed: it alleviates the symptoms of menopause, especially if the woman feels severe discomfort.
For men
The beneficial properties of the bath for maintaining the sexual function of men even in adulthood are noted. The benefits of a bath for men's sexual health arise from the stimulation of nerve endings in the pelvis and groin area. Consequently, blood flow in this area improves.
Regular visits to the bathhouse can prevent impotence and help with problems of premature ejaculation. However, this is not a guaranteed solution to the problem, so consultation with specialists is necessary.
Calming the nervous system
Is a bathhouse good for your health in terms of the nervous system? Here it is also a good tool, only the process should be combined with the existing conditions. Warmth itself is already a way to relax, which, naturally, has a beneficial effect on the nervous system as a whole. Many tests of the bath on the human nervous system have repeatedly proven its high effectiveness. Due to the dilation of blood vessels and improved blood supply to all organs, a high degree of calm is observed after stress and nervous situations. The benefits of a steam room in a bathhouse have been proven for the following ailments:
- insomnia;
- general exhaustion;
- fatigue;
- increased neurosis;
- nervous excitability.
Bath before and after training
There is no clear opinion about the benefits of a bath before or after training. In general, the recommendations boil down to the fact that it is better to visit the bathhouse on days free from training.
A study was conducted that showed that vaping before training reduces strength and endurance during exercise. Therefore, it is better to completely abandon the procedure before training.
The beneficial effects of vaping after exercise are also questionable, although there are some benefits:
- overly tense muscles relax;
- lactic acid is eliminated, which causes muscle pain;
- helps with stress from overtraining.
If the goal of training is to build muscle mass, then you should refuse a bath or sauna afterwards. You should not steam after a hard workout. The high temperature in the steam room often becomes additional stress for the body. In addition, training itself is a load on the heart, and the sauna only increases this load.
Is a sauna good for weight loss?
The bath is a secondary way to lose excess weight. It does not have fat burning properties.
Weight loss occurs, firstly, due to the loss of excess fluid. But you need to be careful and prevent dehydration. This is a kind of express method to get yourself in order in 1 day. For example, before an important event. You should be clearly aware that after 1 - 2 days, most of the excreted fluid will return to the body.
Secondly, the procedure improves metabolism, making weight loss more intense.
Women note benefits in the fight against cellulite: the number of tubercles on the body decreases.
Effect on skin
The positive effect of the bath on the human body begins with the skin. For dry and aging skin, an oriental hammam is recommended; for normal and oily skin, a Finnish sauna or Russian steam room.
Thermal procedures in the bathhouse perfectly cleanse, heal and rejuvenate the skin. The steam room helps cleanse the skin pores of impurities, dirt, toxins, dead cells and waste products of harmful bacteria.
In addition, the bath is an effective means of preventing and treating many skin diseases. Regular visits to the steam room help normalize the activity of the endocrine glands, as well as safely reduce excess weight.
Is it possible for pregnant and lactating women to go to the bathhouse?
During pregnancy, visiting the bathhouse is most often prohibited, since afterwards the body temperature of not only the pregnant woman, but also the child, rises. In addition, it is recommended to avoid sudden changes in temperature.
However, sometimes pregnant women still go for a steam bath. This is possible only with the simultaneous presence of the following factors:
- the woman had previously visited the bathhouse regularly;
- she feels well during pregnancy;
- the doctor who is caring for the pregnancy was warned about visiting the bathhouse and gave his permission to do so.
Anyway, in this case, you need to steam at a low temperature so as not to harm yourself and the child.
Important! Doctors are unanimous in their opinion that in the first trimester, visiting the bathhouse should be avoided, since the female body is just adapting to a new state.
Breastfeeding women are not prohibited from steaming, but there are some recommendations.
It is better not to go to the bathhouse for the first 5 - 6 weeks after giving birth. It is optimal to start visiting when lactation is fully established - after 3 - 4 months.
Breastfeeding women should take into account the fact that after a bath the amount of milk increases. Therefore, it is advisable to feed the baby immediately to avoid lactostasis. If this is not possible, then thoroughly rub your breasts immediately after the steam room.
At the same time, if you don’t drink enough, then milk, on the contrary, will become scarce due to dehydration of the body.
What to Expect from a Bath for Women
The female half will also find more positive aspects in the bathhouse than negative ones. Such procedures relax the nervous system and relieve stress, are an excellent help for losing weight, and cleanse the skin.
And the bathhouse has the same effect on the internal systems of the body as it does for men. Even pregnant women are sometimes recommended to take a bath, as it makes labor easier and reduces labor time by more than 30 percent. However, despite all the benefits of a steam bath, there is also harm from taking it for women.
Bathhouse for children
The effect of a bath on a child’s body is completely different from that on an adult. In children, sweat glands are not yet developed, and the body is less able to regulate body temperature. So the benefits of baths for children are completely ambiguous.
A child under 2 years old should not be taken to the bathhouse at all, since it only brings harm to such a small organism.
From 2 to 7 years, the procedure is not dangerous, but it also does not have any beneficial properties. It is recommended to drive a child only if he likes it.
The bathhouse becomes relatively useful after 7 years. But in any case, you need to consult a pediatrician. One of the main beneficial properties for a child is clearing the respiratory tract of mucus. So the benefits of a bath after the flu and other colds are invaluable.
If there is a child in the bathhouse, then you need to follow simple rules.
- Use gentle temperature conditions up to 55 °C.
- 2 sessions of 2 - 3 minutes in the steam room are enough. At first, you can limit yourself to 1 minute.
- For the first time, it is better to avoid plunging into snow or a cold pool. Temper yourself gradually: first alternate between cool and warm showers.
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In any case, you should always monitor the condition of your own child. If the procedure does not bring him pleasure, or even worsens his health, he should refuse to visit the steam room. A procedure that is useful for an adult is, for the most part, not useful for a child.
The opinion of the famous pediatrician E. O. Komarovsky about the benefits and harms of baths for children can be found in the video:
Airways
In the bathhouse, the volume and natural ventilation of our lungs increase due to the fact that oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide emissions increase. The process is intensified due to the effect of hot moist vapors that we inhale. This saturation is reflected in the mucous membrane, accelerating metabolic processes and promoting increased gas exchange.
In the same way, hot steam acts on the bronchi, clearing them of mucus concentrations. The result is frequent and deep breathing.
Special mention should be made of the fight against the spread of acute respiratory diseases. Most microbes and viruses of the group are not able to withstand high temperatures of vapors, leading to their death.
Hardening and prevention of colds Source pbs.twimg.com
Rules for visiting the bathhouse
A visit will bring positive emotions if you follow simple rules.
First, you need to remove all jewelry, as after a while they will become very hot and can burn your skin.
Secondly, you should not steam on a full stomach or after drinking alcohol. Too much stress on the body can cause harm to health.
It is recommended to take the following items with you.
- Broom for body massage made from natural materials.
- A washcloth. Preferably tougher than usual. Preference should be given to those made from natural materials - fabric, loofah fruits, etc.
- Large towel.
- Bath slippers: rubber, plastic, felt or straw.
- Soap or body gel, shampoo and other hygiene products.
More experienced steamers can take herbal infusions and decoctions that are healthy. To do this, they must be poured onto hot stones. Aromatic oils are suitable for similar purposes. Use them strictly as prescribed or in small quantities to avoid harm.
Important! Don’t forget to prepare a special bath cap that will protect your head from overheating.
The benefits of visiting a steam room in a village or city bathhouse are no different.
How to take a steam bath correctly
You need to start steaming gradually; you shouldn’t set records right away. The first time, 5 minutes in the steam room is enough.
Before entering, douse yourself with warm water without touching your hair. Dry thoroughly with a towel.
After active sweating begins, you need to lie down on one of the shelves. For the first time, it is better to choose the bottom one: the body is not yet prepared for the intense heat on the top shelf.
After 8 - 10 minutes of active warming up of the body, you need to leave the steam room for 6 - 7 minutes and rinse with water.
After this, you can continue to steam with a broom, patting your entire body with it.
You can continue to stay in the steam room as long as you feel comfortable. It is recommended to enter the steam room no more than 3 times. The time spent in it varies from 8 to 15 minutes, depending on your bath experience and health status.
Important! During breaks, be sure to drink water to restore your water balance.
After the bath, you can take a shower, cool off in a cool pool, or even wipe yourself off with snow. The last option is possible after steaming in a village bathhouse: the benefit of this is to harden the body.
If during the cooling process you feel a pleasant tingling throughout the body, it means that the procedure was beneficial.
Harm to baths and contraindications to visiting
Despite all the benefits of the bath, it has contraindications, without listening to which you can harm your health.
To avoid harm, you should refuse a visit if you have:
- oncological diseases or tumors;
- cardiovascular diseases and, in particular, coronary heart disease;
- after a heart attack or stroke;
- stomach ulcer;
- epilepsy;
- tuberculosis;
- hypertension;
- atherosclerosis;
- exacerbation of ear and eye diseases;
- inflamed areas on the skin;
- exacerbation of any chronic diseases;
- at elevated body temperature;
- recent deep wounds or cuts, for example after surgery.
If at least one symptom is present, the steam room risks causing serious harm to the body. The maximum that is allowed is to bask in a warm bath the next day.
Women are not recommended to visit the sauna during menstruation.
The procedure immediately after eating will put too much stress on the heart. Such situations must be avoided. At the same time, you shouldn’t steam in a hungry state either. It is better to have a light snack, avoiding fatty and high-calorie foods. You can steam only after 1.5 - 2 hours.
