Saunas have long been space for rest, recovery and even occasional business agreement. Personally, however, they are not my cup of tea: too claustrophobic, too stuffy and always with this clear feeling that my nasal hair was sung by the heat.
Watching this episode of The Simpsons, in which Homer is imprisoned in the sauna and appears like a messenger – wonderfully alive – he was the last nail in the casket. I haven’t come in since then.
Despite my reservations, the sauna culture is affluent and diverse, exceeding borders and stories. Although they are an integral part of Scandinavian life, especially in Finland, saunas also appear in the traditions of Japanese, Mexican and Indian cultures. There are many varieties for experience – from a yoga session and life drawing to gentle flogging of birch branches. To each of them.
In recent years, the concept of refreshment Sauna culture He accepted completely different dimensions. In Great Britain, more warm in a sauna instead of a pub than ever before.
As a modern social center and well -being, combining elements of bar cultures and a sauna, it makes sense. But what about going all the wind and drinking alcohol – before, during and after sauna sessions?
Why, first of all, mix alcohol with a heat of 80 ° C? Perhaps this is a natural fusion of two social rituals: relaxation in a sauna and a drink with friends. Or maybe he appeals to hedonists looking for novels and euphoria.
However, the question remains: what are the effects – and risk – drinking alcohol in the sauna?
For a couple or not a couple? This is a question
Let’s consider the benefits first. There must be more than just cleaning several pores? In fact, there is a saying that describes the sauna as “Pharmacy of a poor man”.
In many studies, potential health benefits have been examined from using the sauna. For example, Japanese researchers studied WAON therapyLiterally soothing heat therapy (lower temperature sauna treatment) in patients with ischemic heart disease, where narrowed arteries augment the risk of heart attacks.
Their findings He showed evidence of clinical improvement in these patients. Other studies have reported benefits in such conditions Peripheral arterial disease and even in regeneration heart attack.
Using in a sauna can also aid manage high blood pressure and some lung diseases. Some studies also suggest benefits such as improved wound healing and even lower risk Developing Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
The heat is turned on
But that’s not all a couple and peace. To understand the risk, especially when alcohol is involved, we need to look at how the body reacts to heat – and alcohol.
The hypothalamus, the area deep in the brain, regulates our core temperature. In response to heat, it increases blood flow to the skin and increases sweating, helping us to frigid down. But this also increases the risk of dehydration. Combine it with alcohol, diuretha, which further exhausts the liquids and the risk increases significantly.
Both alcohol and high temperatures can often affect cardiovascular function lowering blood pressure and growing heart rate. This can lead to a threatening one Heart rhythm abnormalities (Arrhythmia).
Then there is an effect on the brain. Alcohol, of course, impairs judgment and coordination – two things that you would definitely like to be intact in a room full of heat, slippery surfaces and burns of water.
Fold all this together and what do you get? Dehydrated, overheated, intoxicated entity with a racing heart and violent blood pressure. Dizziness, fainting and confusion can occur, increasing the risk of falls, burns and even drowning.
Falling or falling unconsciousness in the sauna can be threatening. One sober example comes from a case reported in the American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, in which a person suffered solemn injuries, including burnsIn just seven minutes of sauna exposure – tragically causing death. Next examination From Finland, he found a growing relationship between random sauna deaths and alcohol intoxication.
Key here? If you are going to drink, do it after the sauna session – not before or during. Nouvers should completely avoid sauna, or at least be strictly supervised.
Basic security advice Still apply: limit sauna sessions to a brief time, frigid down later (through swimming or shower) and hydration with non -alcoholic drinks.
While the science behind the saunas is still developing, their millennia. They offer real benefits – but mixing heat with alcohol can be a cocktail that burns more than calms down.