Content
- 1 What are the baths
- 2 The benefits of the bath for the body
- 3 Sauna before and after training
- 4 Is the bath useful for losing weight
- 5 Is it possible to go to the bathhouse for pregnant and lactating
- 6 Bath for children
- 7 Bath rules
- 8 How to take a steam bath
- 9 The harm of the bath and contraindications to visiting
- 10 Conclusion
The benefits and harms of the bath are often the subject of controversy due to radically opposing opinions on its account. Indeed, it can both improve health and harm him. If you understand how the bath affects a person, and remember about contraindications, then the negative effect can be completely excluded. This article will help you understand the issue in more detail.
What are the baths
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 distinguished, depending on the origin. They differ in the properties of temperature and humidity in the steam room.
- Eastern... The softest of all. Combines a relatively low air temperature and optimal humidity.
- Finnish... The temperature in the steam room is over 100 ° C, the humidity is 20%, resulting in dry steam.
- Traditional Russian... With a temperature of 60 - 80 ° C, an average humidity of 50 to 80%.
- Roman... Temperature - +50 - 65 ° С, and humidity - 90 - 95%. This species is characterized by a lot of steam, which is why practically nothing is visible in the steam room.
- 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. The maximum temperature is +95 ° С.
The benefits of the bath for the body
Steaming in a bath is not only a hygienic procedure. Although, first of all, it cleanses the body both from the outside and from the inside - from keratinized skin cells, and also removes toxins. The benefits of the bath for human health are not limited to this.
The useful properties of the procedure are noted in other cases:
- for health with 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: regular baths and colds are practically incompatible concepts.
In general, the benefit of the Russian bath lies in the general strengthening property in the absence of contraindications.
It will also be useful to visit her a couple of times a month in case of illness:
- 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 noted only with the correct application of the procedure strictly according to the doctor's recommendations.
After the bath, the blood moves faster and easier through the vessels, due to which the body absorbs more oxygen. The vessels become more elastic, the heart muscle becomes stronger. 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 with a high probability can provoke harm from a sharp deterioration in well-being.
For the nervous system
Vaping relieves nervous tension, generally improves the psychological state of the body.
Effectively helps with fatigue. The bath has a relaxing effect, it quickly recovers strength. It also helps with insomnia, improves mood.
For respiratory organs
The bath is useful for the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract: they are cleared of dust and microbes. Discharge from the nose decreases.
It is used as an adjunct along with the treatment prescribed by the doctor. It is optimal to bathe once a week.
For skin
Not only the attending physicians, but also cosmetologists note the benefits of the bath for the skin condition.
The massage with a natural broom has tonic properties. The skin becomes velvety, clogged pores are cleansed. The result is a fresher, healthier looking skin.
For the musculoskeletal system
Doctors note the benefits of the bath for the joints. Due to increased blood circulation, pain decreases, inflammatory processes, congestion occur, 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 accelerate metabolism, improve digestion. Such a useful property as a decrease in the acidity of gastric juice is also noted.
The procedure is suitable for the prevention and treatment of certain diseases, but only with the permission of a doctor.
For women
The use of the bath for the woman's body is that it improves the condition after childbirth, as well as in the event of miscarriages or abortions.
The procedure is also useful for gynecological diseases, problems with the uterus and ovarian dysfunction.
The benefits of a bath for women after 55 years of age have been noticed: it relieves the symptoms of menopause, especially if a woman feels severe discomfort.
For men
The useful properties of the bath are noted for maintaining the sexual function of men even in adulthood. The benefits of a bath for men's sexual health arise from the stimulation of nerve endings in the pelvis and groin area. Consequently, the blood flow in this area is improved.
A regular visit to the bath can be a prevention of impotence, help with problems of premature ejaculation. However, this is a non-guaranteed solution to the problem, so specialist advice is needed.
Sauna before and after training
There is no unequivocal opinion about the benefits of a sauna before or after training. In general, the recommendations boil down to the fact that it is better to visit the bath on days free from workouts.
A study has been conducted that has shown that vaping prior to training decreases strength and endurance during exercise. Therefore, before training, it is better to completely abandon the procedure.
The benefits of vaping after exercise have also been questioned, although there are some benefits:
- excessively tense muscles relax;
- lactic acid is excreted, which causes muscle pain;
- helps with the stress of overtraining.
If the goal of training is to build up muscle mass, then the bath or sauna must be abandoned afterwards. Do not steam even after a hard workout. The high temperature in the steam room often becomes an additional stress for the body. In addition, training in itself is a load on the heart, and the bath only increases this load.
Is the bath useful for losing weight
Bath is a minor way to lose weight. It does not possess fat burning properties.
Weight loss occurs, firstly, due to the loss of excess fluid. But you have to be careful not to dehydrate the body.This is a kind of express method to put yourself in order in 1 day. For example, before an important event. It should be clearly understood that after 1 - 2 days most of the excreted fluid will return to the body.
Secondly, the procedure improves metabolism, so that weight loss occurs more intensively.
Women have noted benefits in the fight against cellulite: the number of bumps on the body decreases.
Is it possible to go to the bathhouse for pregnant and lactating
During pregnancy, visiting the bath is most often prohibited, since after that the body temperature of not only the pregnant woman, but also the child's temperature rises. In addition, it is recommended to avoid sudden changes in temperature.
However, sometimes pregnant women still go to steam. This is possible only if the following factors are present simultaneously:
- the woman had regularly visited the bathhouse before;
- she feels good during pregnancy;
- the doctor who leads the pregnancy was warned about visiting the bath and gave his permission for this.
All the same, in this case, you need to steam at a low temperature so as not to harm yourself and the child.
Breastfeeding women are not forbidden to bathe, but there are some recommendations.
It is better not to go to the bathhouse for the first 5 to 6 weeks after giving birth. It is optimal to start visits when lactation is fully established - after 3 to 4 months.
Breastfeeding women need to take into account the fact that the amount of milk increases after the bath. Therefore, it is advisable to immediately feed the baby in order to avoid lactostasis. If this is not possible, then thoroughly rub your breasts immediately after the steam room.
At the same time, if you do not drink enough, then milk, on the contrary, will become scarce due to dehydration of the body.
Bath for children
The bathhouse has a completely different effect on the child's body than on the adult. Children still have undeveloped sweat glands, the body regulates body temperature worse. So the benefits of the bath for children are quite ambiguous.
A child under 2 years old should not be taken to the bathhouse at all, since for such a small organism it only brings harm.
From 2 to 7 years old, the procedure is not dangerous, but at the same time, useful properties are not noted in it either. It is recommended to drive the child only if he himself likes it.
The bath becomes relatively useful after 7 years. But in any case, you must consult a pediatrician. One of the main benefits for a child is clearing mucus from the respiratory tract. So the benefits of a bath after flu and other colds are invaluable.
If there is a child in the bath, then simple rules must be followed.
- Use a gentle temperature regime up to 55 ° C.
- Enough 2 visits for 2 - 3 minutes in the steam room. At first, you can limit yourself to 1 minute.
- For the first time, it is better to avoid dipping in snow or a cold pool. Harden up gradually: first, alternate a cool and warm shower.
In any case, you always need to monitor the condition of your own child. If the procedure does not bring him pleasure, or even worsens his health, it is worth refusing to visit the steam room. Most of the procedure that is beneficial for an adult is not that for a child.
The opinion of the famous pediatrician E.O. Komarovsky about the benefits and dangers of the bath for children can be found in the video:
Bath rules
A visit will bring positive emotions if you follow simple rules.
First, it is necessary to remove all jewelry, as after a while they become very hot and can burn the skin.
Secondly, you do not need to steam on a full stomach or after drinking alcohol. Too much stress on the body can harm health.
It is recommended to bring the following items with you.
- Broom for body massage from natural materials.
- Loofah. Desirable - more severe than usual.Give preference to those made from natural materials - fabric, luffa fruits, etc.
- Large towel.
- Bath slippers: rubber, plastic, felt or straw.
- Body soap or gel, shampoo and other hygiene products.
For more experienced vapers, there are herbal infusions and decoctions that are beneficial to your health. To do this, they must be poured onto hot stones. Aromatic oils are suitable for similar purposes. Use them strictly according to a prescription or in small quantities to avoid harm.
The benefits of visiting a steam room in a village or city bath are no different.
How to take a steam bath
You need to start steaming gradually, you should not set records right away. The first time is enough for 5 minutes in the steam room.
Before you enter, pour yourself warm water without touching your hair. Dry thoroughly with a towel.
After the beginning of active sweating, you need to lie down on one of the shelves. For the first time, it is better to choose the lower one: the body has not yet been prepared for the intense heat on the upper 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 that, you can continue to steam with a broom, patting the whole body with it.
You can continue to be in the steam room as long as there is a comfortable feeling. It is recommended to go to the steam room no more than 3 times. The time spent in it varies from 8 to 15 minutes, depending on the existing bathing experience and state of health.
After the bath, you can take a shower, cool off in the cool pool or even dry off with snow. The latter option is possible after steaming in a country bath: the benefit of this is to harden the body.
If during the cooling process you feel a pleasant tingling sensation of the whole body, then the procedure was beneficial.
The harm of the bath 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 must refuse to visit if you have:
- cancer or tumors;
- cardiovascular diseases and, in particular, ischemic heart disease;
- after a heart attack or stroke;
- stomach ulcer;
- epilepsy;
- tuberculosis;
- hypertension;
- atherosclerosis;
- exacerbation of diseases of the ears and eyes;
- inflamed areas on the skin;
- exacerbation of any chronic diseases;
- at elevated body temperature;
- recent deep wounds or cuts, such as after surgery.
If there is at least one symptom, the steam room runs the risk of causing serious harm to the body. The maximum that is allowed is to warm up in a warm bath the next day.
Women are not advised to go to the bathhouse during menstruation.
The procedure immediately after a meal will put too much stress on the heart. Such situations should be avoided. At the same time, you shouldn't bathe in a hungry state either. It is best to have an easy snack, avoiding fatty and high-calorie foods. You can take a steam bath only after 1.5 - 2 hours.
Conclusion
The conclusions about what the benefits and harms of the bath are are based on solid research findings. To maximize the benefits of the procedure and reduce the likelihood of harm, after high temperatures, you must carefully listen to your own body and its condition. If the state of health after the bath worsens, do not risk your health. And vice versa. If the bath has only a positive effect on health, in the absence of contraindications, it should be visited on a regular basis.
