Infrared Sauna Health Risks:
- Study: Benefits and risks of sauna bathing.
Hannuksela ML, Ellahham S. - Study: Facts and fables about sauna.
There are no known health risks associated with an Infrared Sauna outside of dehydration and heat exhaustion. Any individual with a chronic illness, are under the age of 18 or over the age of 65, are pregnant or nursing should consult a physician prior to infrared sauna use.
SAUNAS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS
Our infrared saunas operate with the same efficacy in your home as in a medical facility. Like all professional equipment, its important to read through the safeguards so as you don’t put yourself at risk. Infrared sauna is not a cure or treatment of any disease and is neither implied nor should be inferred. Please consult a physician prior to sauna use.
Important Safeguards
– Do not use cleaning agents on the interior of the sauna
– Do not stack or store objects on top of or inside the sauna
– Altering or tampering with any electrical connections on the power supply is dangerous and will void the warranty
– Do not attempt a repair without consulting Celebration Saunas first. Unauthorized repair attempts will void the warranty
Precautions –If any of the items listed below apply to you, be certain to consult with your physician before using an infrared sauna.
Water – It is very important to replace the fluids and electrolytes expelled through sweating during your sauna session. If you are not properly hydrated you may find it difficult to sweat. Rule of thumb: You should drink half your body weight in ounces each day to remain hydrated for sauna use.
Saunas & Medications – Heat can change the effect of prescription drugs, please consult your physician or pharmacist about possible drug interactions when the body is exposed to infrared waves or elevated body temperature. Diuretics, barbiturates and beta-blockers may impair the body’s natural heat loss mechanisms. Anticholinergics such as amitryptaline may inhibit sweating and can predispose individuals to heat rash or to a lesser extent, heat stroke. Some over-the-counter drugs, such as antihistamines, may also cause the body to be more prone to heat stroke. Consult a physician if you are taking blood thinners or are prone to bleeding.
Saunas & Children –The core body temperature of children rises much faster than that of adults due to a higher metabolic rate per body mass, limited circulatory adaptation to increased cardiac demands and the inability to regulate body temperature by sweating. When using with a child, encourage hydration, operate at a lower temperature, limit sessions to 15 minutes at a time.
Saunas & The Elderly – The body must be able to activate its natural cooling processes in order to maintain core body temperature. The body must have the ability to sweat when it gets too hot to be safe for sauna use. The ability to maintain core body temperature decreases with age and the infrared sauna can help with those who have a chronic chill. The feeling of being cold is primarily due to circulatory conditions that sauna can improve. When using the sauna with the elderly, it is recommend that you use a lower temperatures of approximately 115 degrees and shorter session increment of about 15 minutes at a time.
Saunas & Cardiovascular Conditions –Individuals with cardiovascular conditions or problems (hypertension / hypo tension), congestive heart failure, impaired coronary circulation or those who are taking medications which might affect blood pressure should exercise caution when exposed to prolonged heat. Heat stress increases cardiac output and blood flow in an effort to transfer internal body heat to the outside environment via the skin (perspiration) and respiratory system. This takes place primarily due to major changes in the heart rate, which has the potential to increase by thirty (30) beats per minute for each degree increase in core body temperature. Please consult a physician.
Saunas & Alcohol – Do not use a sauna while intoxicated. An intoxicated individual is not likely to realize the body’s negative reaction to heat. It is not advisable to attempt to “sweat out” a hangover as alcohol dehydrates the body. Drinking Water can help cure a hangover! Alcohol intoxication decreases a person’s judgment; therefore, he/she may not realize when the body has a negative reaction to high heat. Alcohol also increases the heart rate, which may be further increased by heat stress. In other words, Do not use a sauna while intoxicated.
Saunas & Chronic Conditions / Diseases Associated With Reduced Ability To Sweat Or Perspire –Multiple Sclerosis, Central Nervous System Tumors and Diabetes with Neuropathy are conditions that are associated with impaired sweating. An individual with insensitivity to heat should not use an infrared sauna.
Saunas & Fever -Do not use the sauna if you have a fever.
Saunas & Pregnancy –Pregnant women should consult a physician before using an infrared sauna.
Saunas & Joint Injury – If you have a recent (acute) joint injury, it should not be heated for the first 48 hours after an injury or until the swollen symptoms subside. If you have a joint or joints that are chronically hot and swollen, these joints may respond poorly to vigorous heating of any kind.
Saunas & Implants – Metal pins, rods, artificial joints or any other surgical implants generally reflect infrared waves and thus are not heated by this system. Nevertheless, you should consult your physician prior to using an infrared sauna.
In the rare event that you experience pain and/or discomfort, immediately discontinue sauna use.
All topics and conclusions of the health benefits of infrared saunas have been thoroughly researched by Celebration Saunas but results can vary.
