Editing Sauna (section)

==Use==
[[File:Tulikivi Nuoska Sauna Heater.jpg|thumb|Interior of a modern home sauna in Finland]]
[[File:Wuppertal - Schwimmoper 57 ies.jpg|thumb|A small pool for cooling down; usually filled with cold water  ]]
A modern sauna with an electric stove usually takes about 15–30 minutes to heat up. Some users prefer taking a shower beforehand to speed up perspiration in the sauna. When in the sauna, people often sit on a towel for hygiene and put a towel over their heads if the face feels too hot but the body feels comfortable. In Russia, a felt "[[banya (sauna)|banya]] hat" may be worn to shield the head from the heat; this allows the wearer to increase the heat on the rest of the body. The temperature of one's bath can be controlled via:
* the amount of water thrown on the stove: this increases humidity so that sauna bathers perspire more copiously
* the length of one's stay in the sauna
* positioning: the higher benches are hotter, whereas the lower benches are cooler. Children often sit on the lower benches.

The heat is greatest closest to the stove. Heating from the air is cooler on the lower benches as the hot air rises. The heat given by the steam can be very different in different parts of the sauna. As the steam rises directly upwards, it spreads across the roof and travels out towards the corners, where it is then forced downwards. Consequently, the heat of fresh steam may sometimes be felt most strongly in the furthest corners of the sauna. Users increase the duration and the heat gradually over time as they adapt to the sauna.<ref name="url 1">{{cite web |url=http://www.helo.co.uk/domestic2/pdf/Manual-sauna-Bathing-Instructions.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001190338/http://www.helo.co.uk/domestic2/pdf/Manual-sauna-Bathing-Instructions.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 October 2008 |title=The sauna use }}</ref><ref name="urlBare facts of the sauna-thisisFINLAND">{{cite web |url=http://finland.fi/public/default.aspx?contentid=160067&contentlan=2&culture=en-US|title=Bare facts of the sauna in Finland|website=thisisFINLAND|date=May 2009|first=Mikko|last=Norros }}</ref> When pouring water onto the stove, it cools down the rocks, but carries more heat into the air via advection, making the sauna warmer.

[[Perspiration]] is the result of autonomic responses trying to cool the body. Users are advised to leave the sauna if the heat becomes unbearable, or if they feel faint or ill. Some saunas have a thermostat to adjust the temperature, but the owner of the sauna and the other bathers expect to be consulted before changes are made. The sauna stove and rocks are very hot—one must stay well clear of them to avoid burns, particularly when water is thrown on the rocks, which creates an immediate blast of steam. Combustibles on, or near the stove have been known to cause fires. [[Contact lens]]es dry out in the heat. Jewelry or anything metallic, including glasses, will get hot in the sauna and can cause discomfort or burning.<ref name="url 1"/><ref name="urlBare facts of the sauna-thisisFINLAND"/>

The temperature on different parts of the body can be adjusted by shielding one's body with a towel. Shielding the face with a towel has been found to reduce the perception of heat.<ref>{{Cite journal |vauthors=Simmons SE, Mündel T, Jones DA |title=The effects of passive heating and head-cooling on the perception of exercise in the heat |journal=Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. |volume=104 |issue=2 |pages=281–8 |date=September 2008 |pmid=18172673 |doi=10.1007/s00421-007-0652-z |s2cid=9456781 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |vauthors=Mündel T, Hooper PL, Bunn SJ, Jones DA |title=The effects of face cooling on the prolactin response and subjective comfort during moderate passive heating in humans |journal=Exp. Physiol. |volume=91 |issue=6 |pages=1007–14 |year=2006 |pmid=16916892 |doi=10.1113/expphysiol.2006.034629|doi-access=free }}</ref> Some may wish to put an additional towel or a special cap over the head to avoid dryness. Few people can sit directly in front of the stove without feeling too hot from the radiant heat, but this may not be reflected in their overall body temperature. As the person's body is often the coolest object in a sauna room, steam will condense into water on the skin; this can be confused with perspiration.

Cooling down by immersing oneself in water (in a shower, lake, or pool) is a part of the sauna cycle and is as important as the heating. However, healthy people and heart patients alike should take some precautions if plunging into very cold water straight after coming from the hot room, as the rapid cooling of the body produces considerable circulatory stress. It is considered good practice to take a few moments after exiting a sauna before entering a cold plunge and to enter a [[plunge pool]] or a lake by stepping into it gradually, rather than immediately immersing oneself fully.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sauna Health Benefits: Are saunas healthy or harmful? |url=https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/saunas-and-your-health |last=Publishing |first=Harvard Health |website=Harvard Health |access-date=2020-05-14 |archive-date=5 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605211926/https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/saunas-and-your-health |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Health Benefits of a Sauna |url=https://poolguide.net/sauna-benefits-health/ |website=PoolGuide |date=14 June 2020 |access-date=2020-06-25 }}</ref> In summer, a session is often started with a cool shower.<ref name="urlBare facts of the sauna-thisisFINLAND"/><ref>{{Cite journal |author=Buguet A |title=Sleep under extreme environments: Effects of heat and cold exposure, altitude, hyperbaric pressure and microgravity in space |journal=Journal of the Neurological Sciences|volume=262|issue=1–2 |pages=145–52|year=2007 |pmid=17706676 |doi=10.1016/j.jns.2007.06.040|s2cid=26047824 }}</ref>

In some countries, the closest and most convenient access to a sauna is at a [[gym]]nasium. Some public pools, major sports centers, and resorts also contain a sauna. Therapeutic sauna sessions are often carried out in conjunction with [[physiotherapy]] or [[hydrotherapy]]; these are gentle exercises that do not exacerbate symptoms.<ref>{{Cite journal |author=Sohr C |title=[Physio and balneotherapy of acral circulatory disorders and cutaneous microangiopathies] |language=de |journal=Z Gesamte Inn Med |volume=38 |issue=6 |pages=207–13 |date=March 1983 |pmid=6603073 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |author=Kaszubowski U |year=2007 |title=[Physiotherapy in recurring urinary calculus formation and chronic inflammatory kidney and urinary tract diseases] |language=de |journal=Z Urol Nephrol |volume=74 |issue=1 |pages=51–6 |pmid=7234155 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |vauthors=Bender T, Nagy G, Barna I, Tefner I, Kádas E, Géher P |title=The effect of physical therapy on beta-endorphin levels |journal=Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. |year=2007 |volume=100 |issue=4 |pages=371–82 |pmid=17483960 |doi=10.1007/s00421-007-0469-9 |s2cid=9670316 }}</ref>

===Health effects===

==== Potential health benefits ====
There has been widespread research into the health benefits and risks that come from sauna usage;<ref name="Hannuksela">{{Cite journal |last1=L Hannuksela |first1=Minna |last2=Ellahham |first2=Samer |year=2001 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/12163683 |title=Benefits and risks of sauna bathing |journal=The American Journal of Medicine |volume=110 |issue=2 |pages=118–126 |doi=10.1016/S0002-9343(00)00671-9|pmid=11165553 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |title=Sauna use as a lifestyle practice to extend healthspan |journal=Experimental Gerontology |last1=Patrick |first1=Rhonda P |last2=Johnson |first2=Teresa L. |date=2021-10-15 |volume=154 |issue=3 |pages=489–492 |doi=10.1016/j.exger.2021.111509 |pmid=111509 |s2cid=236921724 |doi-access=free }}</ref> most studies have focused on the Finnish sauna specifically.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hussain |first1=Joy |last2=Cohen |first2=Marc |year=2018 |title=Clinical Effects of Regular Dry Sauna Bathing: A Systematic Review |journal=Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine |volume=2018 |pages=1–30 |doi=10.1155/2018/1857413 |issn=1741-427X |pmc=5941775 |pmid=29849692 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Sauna bathing leads to mild [[heat stress]], which activates [[heat shock protein]]s responsible for repairing [[Protein folding#Protein misfolding and neurodegenerative disease|misfolded proteins]], promoting longevity as well as protection against [[muscle atrophy]] and chronic illness.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Patrick |first1=Rhonda P. |last2=Johnson |first2=Teresa L. |year=2021 |title=Sauna use as a lifestyle practice to extend healthspan |journal=Experimental Gerontology |volume=154 |pages=111509 |doi=10.1016/j.exger.2021.111509 |pmid=34363927 |s2cid=236921724 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

There is evidence that long-term exposure to Finnish-style sauna is correlated with a reduced risk of [[sudden cardiac death]];<ref name="Laukkanen1">{{Cite journal |last1=Heinonen |first1=Ilkka |last2=Laukkanen |first2=Jari A. |date=2018-05-01 |title=Effects of heat and cold on health, with special reference to Finnish sauna bathing |journal=American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology |volume=314 |issue=5 |pages=R629–R638 |doi=10.1152/ajpregu.00115.2017 |pmid=29351426 |s2cid=13960140 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name="Laukkanen2">{{Cite journal |last1=Laukkanen |first1=Jari A. |last2=Laukkanen |first2=Tanjaniina |last3=Kunutsor |first3=Setor K. |year=2018 |title=Cardiovascular and Other Health Benefits of Sauna Bathing: A Review of the Evidence |journal=Mayo Clinic Proceedings |volume=93 |issue=8 |pages=1111–1121 |doi=10.1016/j.mayocp.2018.04.008 |pmid=30077204|s2cid=51922575 |doi-access=free |hdl=1983/875f218f-f6a3-46e8-bdbc-ea005e174ab9 |hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref name="Laukkanen3">{{Cite journal |last1=Laukkanen |first1=Jari A. |last2=Kunutsor |first2=Setor K. |year=2019 |title=Is sauna bathing protective of sudden cardiac death? A review of the evidence |journal=Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases |series=Advances in the Risk Stratification, Prevention, and Treatment of Sudden Cardiac Death |volume=62 |issue=3 |pages=288–293 |doi=10.1016/j.pcad.2019.05.001 |pmid=31102597 |s2cid=158047297 |url=https://jyx.jyu.fi/bitstream/123456789/64962/1/laukkanenym.pdf }}</ref> and that risk reduction increases with duration and frequency of use;<ref name="Laukkanen2" /> this reduction is more pronounced when sauna bathing is combined with exercise, compared with either of these practices alone.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Laukkanen |first1=Jari A. |last2=Laukkanen |first2=Tanjaniina |last3=Khan |first3=Hassan |last4=Babar |first4=Maira |last5=Kunutsor |first5=Setor K. |year=2018 |title=Combined Effect of Sauna Bathing and Cardiorespiratory Fitness on the Risk of Sudden Cardiac Deaths in Caucasian Men: A Long-term Prospective Cohort Study |journal=Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases |series=Update in Vascular Medicine 2018 |volume=60 |issue=6 |pages=635–641 |doi=10.1016/j.pcad.2018.03.005 |pmid=29551418 |url=http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:jyu-201805252796 |hdl=1983/31d2942a-5b17-420b-bd28-b5a35e6a0659 |hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref name="Laukkanen3" /> Tentative evidence supports that the heat stress from saunas is associated with reduced [[blood pressure]] and [[arterial stiffness]], and therefore also decrease the risk of [[cardiovascular disease]].<ref name="Pizzey">{{Cite journal |last1=Pizzey |first1=Faith K. |last2=Smith |first2=Emily C. |last3=Ruediger |first3=Stefanie L. |last4=Keating |first4=Shelley E. |last5=Askew |first5=Christopher D. |last6=Coombes |first6=Jeff S. |last7=Bailey |first7=Tom G. |year=2021 |title=The effect of heat therapy on blood pressure and peripheral vascular function: A systematic review and meta-analysis |journal=Experimental Physiology |volume=106 |issue=6 |pages=1317–1334 |doi=10.1113/EP089424 |pmid=33866630 |s2cid=233298053 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name="Laukkanen1" /><ref name="Laukkanen2" /> These benefits are more pronounced in persons with low cardiovascular function.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Li |first1=Zhongyou |last2=Jiang |first2=Wentao |last3=Chen |first3=Yu |last4=Wang |first4=Guanshi |last5=Yan |first5=Fei |last6=Zeng |first6=Tao |last7=Fan |first7=Haidong |year=2021 |title=Acute and short-term efficacy of sauna treatment on cardiovascular function: A meta-analysis |url=https://academic.oup.com/eurjcn/article/20/2/96/6225148 |journal=European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing |volume=20 |issue=2 |pages=96–105 |doi=10.1177/1474515120944584 |pmid=32814462 |issn=1474-5151 }}</ref> Evidence exists for the benefit of sauna on people with [[heart failure]].<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Källström M, Soveri I, Oldgren J, Laukkanen J, Ichiki T, Tei C, Timmerman M, Berglund L, Hägglund H |title=Effects of sauna bath on heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis |journal=Clin Cardiol |volume=41 |issue=11 |pages=1491–1501 |date=November 2018 |pmid=30239008 |pmc=6489706 |doi=10.1002/clc.23077 |type=Meta-analysis |display-authors=5 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ye |first1=Winnie N.|author1-link=Winnie Ye |last2=Thipse |first2=Madhura |last3=Mahdi |first3=Maleka Ben |last4=Azad |first4=Sharlin |last5=Davies |first5=Ross |last6=Ruel |first6=Marc |last7=Silver |first7=Marc A. |last8=Hakami |first8=Lale |last9=Mesana |first9=Thierry |last10=Leenen |first10=Frans |last11=Mussivand |first11=Tofy |year=2020 |title=Can heat therapy help patients with heart failure? |journal=Artificial Organs |volume=44 |issue=7 |pages=680–692 |doi=10.1111/aor.13659 |pmid=32017138 |s2cid=211025644 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Conceição |first1=Lino Sergio Rocha |last2=Queiroz |first2=Jessica Gonçalves de |last3=Neto |first3=Mansueto Gomes |last4=Martins-Filho |first4=Paulo Ricardo Saquete |last5=Carvalho |first5=Vitor Oliveira |date=2018-03-01 |title=Effect of Waon Therapy in Individuals With Heart Failure: A Systematic Review |journal=Journal of Cardiac Failure |volume=24 |issue=3 |pages=204–206 |doi=10.1016/j.cardfail.2018.01.008 |pmid=29409954 }}</ref> Frequent Finnish-style sauna usage (4-7 times per week) is associated with a decreased risk of neurovascular diseases, including [[Alzheimer's disease]] and [[stroke]],<ref name="Laukkanen2" /><ref name="Pizzey" /> relative to those individuals who used sauna once per week. Individuals suffering from [[musculoskeletal disorder]]s could have symptomatic improvement from sauna,<ref name="Laukkanen2" /> and it could be beneficial for [[glaucoma]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Mozaffarieh |first1=Maneli |last2=Flammer |first2=Josef |year=2007 |title=A novel perspective on natural therapeutic approaches in glaucoma therapy |journal=Expert Opinion on Emerging Drugs |volume=12 |issue=2 |pages=195–198 |doi=10.1517/14728214.12.2.195 |pmid=17604496 |s2cid=8048638 |issn=1472-8214 }}</ref> It also is associated with a reduced risk and symptom relief from the symptoms of [[respiratory illness]].<ref name="pmid9100952">{{Cite journal |author=Kauppinen K |title=Facts and fables about sauna |journal=Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences |volume=813 |issue=1|pages=654–62 |year=1997 |pmid=9100952 |doi=10.1111/j.1749-6632.1997.tb51764.x|bibcode=1997NYASA.813..654K |s2cid=33060245 }}</ref><ref name="Laukkanen1" /><ref name="Laukkanen2" /> Weight loss in [[obese]] people and improvement of appetite loss present with normal body weight can also be achievable with sauna bathing.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Biro |first1=Sadatoshi |last2=Masuda |first2=Akinori |last3=Kihara |first3=Takashi |last4=Tei |first4=Chuwa |year=2003 |title=Clinical Implications of Thermal Therapy in Lifestyle-Related Diseases |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/153537020322801023 |journal=Experimental Biology and Medicine |volume=228 |issue=10 |pages=1245–1249 |doi=10.1177/153537020322801023 |pmid=14610268 |s2cid=3115563 |issn=1535-3702 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

Evidence for the use of sauna for depression or [[skin disorder]]s is insufficient, but the frequency of sauna sessions is correlated with a diminished risk of developing [[psychosis]], and it might be beneficial for [[psoriasis]].<ref name="Laukkanen2" />

====Potential health risks====
Sauna bathing coupled with alcohol consumption or dehydration increases the risk of sudden death;<ref name="Laukkanen3" /> the use of [[narcotic]] drugs, such as [[cocaine]], also increases the risk.<ref name="Press">{{Cite journal |last=Press |first=E |year=1991 |title=The Health Hazards of Saunas and Spas and How to Minimize Them |journal=American Journal of Public Health |volume=81 |issue=8 |pages=1034–1037 |doi=10.2105/AJPH.81.8.1034 |issn=0090-0036 |pmc=1405706 |pmid=1853995 }}</ref> Being severely obese, having [[high blood pressure]], or being [[diabetic]] all serve as reasons to decrease the duration of sauna sessions.<ref name="Press" /> Individuals prone to [[postural hypotension]] or severe [[valvular heart disease]] should use a sauna cautiously to reduce the risk of a drop in blood pressure.<ref name="Laukkanen1" /> In people with cardiovascular disease, sauna usage is generally safe, as long as their condition is stable.<ref name="Laukkanen1" /><ref name="Laukkanen3" /> However, sauna bathing is [[contraindicated]] in persons with [[unstable angina]] and severe [[aortic stenosis]].<ref name="Hannuksela" /> A one-year study in Finland showed that only 67 (2.6%) of sudden deaths in saunas were non-accidental, mostly due to [[coronary heart disease]].<ref name="Hannuksela" />

Pregnant women can use saunas as long as their core temperature does not exceed {{convert|39.0|C|F}}, as this may be [[teratogenic]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ravanelli |first1=Nicholas |last2=Casasola |first2=William |last3=English |first3=Timothy |last4=Edwards |first4=Kate M. |last5=Jay |first5=Ollie |year=2019 |title=Heat stress and fetal risk. Environmental limits for exercise and passive heat stress during pregnancy: a systematic review with best evidence synthesis |journal=British Journal of Sports Medicine |volume=53 |issue=13 |pages=799–805 |doi=10.1136/bjsports-2017-097914 |pmid=29496695 |s2cid=3643965 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

One study has found that genital heat stress from frequent sauna sessions could cause [[male infertility]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Leisegang |first1=Kristian |last2=Dutta |first2=Sulagna |year=2021 |title=Do lifestyle practices impede male fertility? |journal=Andrologia |volume=53 |issue=1 |pages=e13595 |doi=10.1111/and.13595 |pmid=32330362 |s2cid=216129511 |issn=0303-4569 |doi-access=free |hdl=10566/5440 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>{{refn|Minna Hannuksela and Samer Ellahham state the opposite, namely that sauna bathing does not affect fertility.<ref name="Hannuksela" />|group=note}}