Conference turris::scandia

378.0. "Sauna practices, a doctor's advice" by MLTVAX::SAVAGE (Neil @ Spit Brook) Mon Jan 15 1990 08:52

    From: [email protected]
    Newsgroups: soc.culture.nordic
    Subject: Re: Sauna
    Date: 13 Jan 90 19:23:58 GMT
    Organization: University of Helsinki

In article <[email protected]>, [email protected]
|umbia.edu (Vincent J. Liggio) writes:
>>        However, my comment is directed toward the point you raise about
>>subjecting an overheated body (though, perhaps, pleasantly overheated) to the
>>rapid temperature change of jumping into a lake or swimming pool.
>>
>>        I wonder if there are not inherent dangers in such a rapid change in
>>body temperature.
>
> I saw a show called Innovation here in the States that was talking about
> saunas and they mentioned that sometimes people do jump into a pool or a
> lake after a sauna......
>  The man's blood pressure went up to an incredible 320/175 or
> something in that range.  Although it was for only a split second, I don't
> think that a sudden jump in blood pressure like that would be very good for
> one's heart.  They said that it is very dangerous to do it that way.  I
> think the cooling off in the air is the best sounding method.

    Well, from my end of the world this seems trivial, as everyone is
    expected to know that rushing from very hot (Finnish sauna is much
    hotter than the thing they try to call sauna on the European Continent)
    into cold water will cause massive constriction of blood vessels, and
    may be dangerous.

    What happens when the blood vessels constrict is that your blood will
    have less room, the pressure inside the vessels will go up, and given a
    weak point, something may burst. Also, people with circulatory disease
    are in danger of getting instant heart failure. There are multiple
    reasons. Among other things, the chilling of great volumes of blood in
    the skin vessels, along with the constriction of these vessels, will
    transport large amounts of chilled blood to the heart. Apart from
    mechanical trouble due to overfilling, the chilling of the timing
    apparatus of the heart will slow the heart beat of the overfilled
    heart, and may induce irregular heart beat or heart block. - The
    massive increase in blood pressure also easily induces severe headache,
    even if nothing bursts.

    I am not saying that one should not dip into the water after a sit in
    the sauna. I am saying that everybody should take care, that people who
    are not young and active should be extra careful, and that people with
    circulatory disease should not do it.

    Because heat loss in water is faster than in snow or air, it is correct
    that diving into the water is more dangerous than chilling off by being
    naked in cool air or even rolling in the snow, which looks more macho
    than it is. A wise man walks leisurely to the lake or sea, naked of
    course to lose heat suitably, then pour some cold (it is always rather
    cold here) water over his body before going in (and preferably not head
    first).

    Normal practice is going into the sauna (70 to 100 degrees Centigrade,
    varying moisture) for 10 to 30 minutes, get out, cool off, hen do it
    again, etc. 3-4 times. When young (under 60, I am 48) men gather (oh,
    and we never take ladies along except if they are in the family, and if
    there are several men and several ladies, it is generally sexes
    separate anyway in my age group) there is regularly a slight
    competition (unhealthy) in how much of the heat one can stand. Extra
    heat is achieved by pouring water on the hot stones, until your skin
    burns, and the neighbor has to get out. OK, so it is normal to do a
    macho thing, and as I said, rolling in the snow stings, but is really
    not too bad. In the winter, going into a hole in the ice is a thing to
    consider carefully, but in a competitive situation, risks are taken. -
    Beer is usually consumed in greater quantities only after the sauna,
    which reduces the potential risks considerably.

    I know that all our nordic friends will think my contribution trivial,
    but as a MD, a physiologist, and as a Finn, I have felt my duty towards
    people of the outer world to speak up.
    
     -----------------------------------------------------------------
    Dag Stenberg , MD                       [email protected]
    Department of Physiology                [email protected]
    University of Helsinki                  tlx: 100125 finuh sf
    Helsinki, Finland                       fax: int.+358-0-1918366
                                        tel: int+358-0-1918532
-----------------------------------------------------------------
 

    Whilst in Sweden I got into taking a sauna (bastu) after playing
    squash, tennis badminton. I used to go into the sauna for a while
    and then take a cold shower or dip in the plunge pool and repeat
    this 3 or 4 times.
    
    I can testify to the shock to body experienced but I found it very
    invigourating. I certainly agree that it's not for someone who isn't
    reasonably healthy.
    
    One effect I did notice which I can't explain was that after having
    a sauna/dip, I didn't start to sweat later. I find that, if after
    a period of exercise, I simply take a shower and then dress, I would
    start to sweat after about 10-20 minutes. This never happened after
    having a sauna. Any explanation?
    
    Pete