Editing Sauna (section)

===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}}