4 Sauna side effects for health that you need to be aware of

Saunas have been used for thousands of years as a natural way to improve blood circulation, relax the body, and relieve pain. However, be careful. Too long sauna can actually have a negative impact on health. What are the most likely risks of sauna side effects?

Sauna side effects that can be dangerous

Despite offering many health benefits, saunas have risks that should not be underestimated. Especially if it takes too long. One sauna session is ideal for no longer than 8-10 minutes.

Longer than that, the following side effects may occur:

1. Dehydration

The most common side effect of saunas is dehydration. Too long a sauna bath can increase the risk of dehydration because the body loses a lot of fluids from sweating profusely.

If afterward you feel weak and exhausted, you may be dehydrated from taking too long. Dehydration can cause serious side effects such as low blood pressure and loss of consciousness (fainting). People with certain conditions, such as a history of kidney disease, may be at a higher risk of developing dehydration.

Well, the best way to avoid chronic dehydration is to end your sauna shower session and immediately drink water to refill your body fluids.

2. Body temperature increases

Sweating is a natural way to cool the body. However, in an extremely hot environment like a sauna room, your body's cooling system may not work optimally and your core temperature may spike to dangerous levels.

In medical terms, this condition is called overheating. Overheating will make you feel very hot, not only outside of your body but also from within.

This condition can get worse if you consume excessive alcohol before doing the sauna.

3. Reducing the number of sperm

Studies show that the heat in a sauna can heat up the testicles, causing a decrease in sperm count and quality.

Performed occasionally and at a distance, the sauna may not immediately cause sperm to die. However, for men who do have low sperm count, it may be necessary to avoid the sauna for a while, especially if he and his partner are planning to become pregnant. Moreover, taking a long sauna bath.

Even so, until now there has been no evidence that saunas can cause men to be infertile or infertile.

4. Blood pressure decreases

The drastic increase in body temperature also affects the work of your heart and blood vessels. High body temperature causes the heart rate to increase so that the blood vessels of the heart dilate, and ultimately lower blood pressure.

Therefore, saunas are not recommended for people who have a history of certain heart diseases. Patients with uncontrolled blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythm, unstable angina, chronic heart failure, or heart valve disease, it is better to consult a doctor before taking a sauna bath.

Things that must be considered when taking a sauna bath

In order for you to avoid sauna side effects that are detrimental to health, here are some safe guidelines that you need to pay attention to:

• Avoid prolonged sauna baths. Make sure you don't take a steam bath for more than 30 minutes.
• Avoid drinking alcohol. Before deciding to take a sauna bath, it's a good idea to avoid drinking alcoholic drinks as this can actually make your body hot and prone to dehydration.
• Increase your fluid intake. In order to avoid the risk of dehydration, you must meet your fluid intake by drinking lots of water before and after a sauna bath.
• Pay attention to your health condition. If while doing the sauna you suddenly feel unwell, it's a good idea to stop this activity for a while or until your condition really gets better.
• Consult a doctor. As explained above, there are several conditions that make you more susceptible to sauna side effects. So, if you have a history of chronic heart disease and uncontrolled blood pressure, please consult a doctor first to ensure its safety for you.