Steam Sauna And Pregnancy

Hippocrates, Father of Medicine, used steam bathing, stating "Give me the power to create a fever, and I shall cure any disease." This is the exactly what researcher are finding to be true. Fever is one of the body's most powerful defenses against disease. Fever raises the body's temperature above normal in an attempt to destroy invading organisms and sweat impurities out of the system. Fever is a highly effective and natural process of curing disease and restoring health, and has been recognized as such for thousands of years. Hyperthermia deliberately creates fever in the patient in order to utilize this natural healing response. Steam bathing is the most effective method to create a state of hyperthermia.

Giving Your Heart A WorkoutDuring a 10-20 minute sauna session, your heart rate increases by 50-75%. This provides the same metabolic result as physical exercise. The increased cardiac load is the equivalent to a brisk walk. There is a nominal effect on blood pressure because the heat also causes blood vessels in skin to expand to accommodate increased blood flow. Historical evidence and records indicate that the Finns built the first wooden saunas over 2000 years ago. The early Finnish sauna was dug into a hill or embankment. As tools and techniques advanced, they were later built above ground using wooden logs. Rocks were heated in a stone fireplace with a wood fire. The smoke from the fire filled the room as the air warmed.

Positive Effects of Negative Ions

Physiologically, the presence of negative ions in a sweat bath is as important as the heat. The discovery of negative ions in certain types of steam saunas a few years ago became headline news in Finland. Until then, the healing power of the sauna was attributed to relaxation and increased circulation. Now, negative ions add startling new possibilities.Pregnant And Steam SaunaPregnant women should consult with their doctor before getting into a hot sauna for the first time however the best option is to take the sauna at a lower temperature (130F) for a more relaxed and gentle sweat session.

A word of caution. Studies have shown some association between neural-tube defects and heat exposure, during the first three months of pregnancy. The biggest problem was hot tubs, which pregnant women should approach cautiously. Saunas do not raise the body's core temperature nearly as much as hot tubs do.