Saunas have long been a way of socializing and bringing many sauna health benefits in Scandinavia. Although they are less prevalent in the United States, you can still find saunas in many gyms and community centers.

One of the significant sauna health benefits is a warm session can help you have a relaxed mind and body, but does it help you lose weight? The answer is… maybe but let’s explain it a little further. 

Today there is plenty of research going on to find  how a dry saua benefits you and how the heat generated by the sauna affects the human body.

How different types of sauna work

The temperature of a sauna varies between 150°F and 195°F (65.6°C to 90.6°C). Finnish saunas are considered “dry,” but Turkish saunas have a lot of steam. Commonly, people usually spend about 15 to 30 minutes in the sauna.

Saunas may vary in temperature and humidity levels. When it comes to how your body reacts to sauna, the results are almost the same. Some of the common saunas are: 

Burning wood

The wood stove is used to heat the sauna room. High temperature and low humidity.

Electric heater sauna

It is an electric heater mounted on the wall or floor that is used to heat the room. High temperature and low humidity.

Steam room

You may also refer to them as “Turkish Baths.” It has a low temperature and high humidity up to 100%.

Infrared

An infrared sauna uses waves of light to heat your body without warming the room. The benefits are similar to the more traditional sauna.

Can you lose weight?

Over history, saunas have helped to lose weight somehow. When you are having a sauna session, you are sweating off the water weight. The water level in your body returns when you start its intake.

A sauna may help you burn some extra calories, but just sweating is not a real indicator of weight loss. If you are looking for real weight loss, then a sauna is not the perfect solution. 

Danger of dehydration

High temperatures can cause the body to sweat. If you are using a sauna more frequently it is critical to pay attention to your body. Otherwise, severe dehydration may occur.

According to data from Harvard Medical School on average a person loses about 1% of the water in a short time during a single sauna session. However, if you are drinking enough water before, during, and after the sauna, it will replenish the water lost by sweating.

Signs of dehydration

Please note the following signs of mild to moderate dehydration:

• Dry mouth
• Extremely thirsty
• headache
• Feeling dizzy or dizzy
• Not as urinating as usual

Older people having chronic diseases like diabetes, kidney disease, and heart failure or pregnant women are at higher risk of dehydration.

Health partner solutions

In the case of dehydration or any other health issue during or after the sauna, seek medical help. Contact an experienced doctor who is certified by the Board of Directors online or by phone. Often pediatricians and other specialists are available 24/7, and you can reach out to them on an urgent basis.

Sauna and heart health

The high temperatures you experience in the sauna can cause the blood vessels to open and close to the surface of the skin. When the blood vessels dilate, the blood circulation will improve, and the blood pressure will decrease.

Some recent studies have found a link between regular use of the sauna and improved heart health. However, people with heart problems (such as arrhythmia or past heart attacks) are often advised to avoid using a sauna.

Although people with high blood pressure can use the sauna, the American Heart Association (AHA) warns against moving between extremely high temperatures and shallow temperatures because it can raise blood pressure. 

Patients who use cardiac medication should consult their health care provider before using the sauna.

There are various sauna health benefits but you need to make sure you are not overdoing it because an extreme temperature may be hazardous for your health.