Introduction

Most people believe that a higher body temperature kills the common cold virus, but the truth is that it actually enhances our ability to fight it. The replication of a rhinovirus in our nasal passage greatly diminishes with temperatures above 37 °C . Our airway cells have a better antiviral defense at allivated temperature. So, how does that link to Saunas?

Catching a cold is common, especially between September and May. On average, an adult catches two to three colds per year. The Finnish people have been using saunas as a means to resolve respiratory issues for centuries. Today, more than 80% Finns use saunas to increase their body temperature to 104°F (40°C). It helps the body fight infections.This article aims to provide wellness providers with information on how saunas can help enhance physical, mental, and emotional well-being while recovering from a common cold. It will delve into the potential benefits and risks, and provide practical guidance on how to use a sauna when a person is ill.

Understanding the Body’s Response to Illness

To fight an illness, it’s essential first to understand how the body responds when exposed to viruses. We will cover how our body detects the virus and starts up the defense mechanism to fight it. Let’s first start with the basics of the immune system.

Immune System Basics

The immune system functions through the use of white blood cells called Leukocytes, antibodies, lymph nodes, and organs such as the spleen and thymus. All of these work together to combat foreign invaders, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and toxins.

There are two branches of the immune system. Understanding them helps us realize how increased temperatures in a sauna can assist the immune system.

Innate Immunity

It is the first line of defence against foreign invaders. It works by providing cellular, chemical, and physical defense to invaders. The physical barriers are the skin and mucous membranes that attempt to trap the invaders before they enter our body. If an invader gets past them, then it faces a cellular response that destroys any foreign particle it encounters. Then the chemical reaction starts. It raises the body temperature and induces inflammation, allowing the immune cells to reach the site where the fight is happening.

Adaptive Immunity

After innate immunity, which acts as the first line of defense, adaptive immunity begins its work; in comparison to innate immunity, which has a general action against all external threats. The adaptive immunity performs a targeted operation against known pathogens, as it has a memory. It’s like going on the same route again. It takes less time. These cells are called lymphocytes.

Sauna and Immunity

Just like the immune response that raises body temperature (hyperthermia), a sauna also increases body temperature above 37 °C, but without the presence of infection. It helps the innate immunity to transport cells to the site more effectively. Thus, we can say that sauna enhances the immunity rather than killing the virus itself. Higher body temperature also boosts heat shock proteins (HSPs) that aid in cellular repair.

However, it’s important to mention that the sauna only works before the virus takes hold of the body. In case of an already high fever, it’s essential to follow safety considerations. We will discuss the risks of using a sauna in a later section in detail.

Types of Common Sickness

• Common Cold:It is usually caused by Rhinovirus. It can cause a sore throat, a runny nose, and a cough. Saunas can help in clearing congestion.
• Mild Flu:Influenza can cause flu that leads to fever, aches, and fatigue. Saunas, with careful use, can help relax muscle aches.
• Sinus Infection:Viruses and bacteria can lead to sinus infection, which can cause facial pain and headaches. Saunas can aid in mucus drainage.
• Bronchitis:Viral infection can cause coughing and mucus buildup. Saunas can loosen mucus to provide relief.
• Severe Respiratory Infections:Pneumonia or severe flu can cause breathing problems and high fever. It’s not recommended to use saunas as a method for relief.

Potential Benefits of Sauna While Sick

We have hinted at the benefits of sauna in the earlier section. It can boost the immune system to help fight off infection before it takes hold. Now, let’s dive deeper into how they can help wellness providers provide relief to their patients who are suffering from the common cold.

Symptom Relief

The symptoms of a cold include nasal congestion, cough, and sore throat. These are usually the body’s response to fight off the infection. However, during the process, they can cause discomfort that can make the patient’s life difficult. Their body will feel stressed, and the congestion might make sleeping challenging.

Steam saunas can generate steam at temperatures above 37°C, which can act as a natural decongestant. It can thin the mucus and relieve pressure from the airway. It’s important to note that it is temporary, but it’s enough to initiate muscle relaxation and promote quality sleep.

Circulation and Sweating

Increasing the body temperature has immense benefits. The immediate effect of an increase in body temperature is the widening of blood vessels (vasodilation). The increase in blood flow allows the immune cells to travel to sites where the body is fighting infection. It also carries more oxygen, allowing faster muscle repair.

Moreover, the sweating process can also induce a soothing effect on patients. It can relax tense muscles and provide a feeling of detox. The effect is immediate, which can make patients feel relaxed. However, it’s important to note that it’s not a cure. A single session in a sauna can cause the patient to lose around 1liter of sweat. Therefore, it’s essential to avoid it for dehydrated patients.

Mental Well-Being

Wellness providers can recommend a sauna session to patients who are too stressed from the common cold. It can help them regain the mental state that motivates them to get better and feel better. Illness can cause the cortisol levels to go up. Initially, the cortisol levels can help the immune system respond. However, prolonged exposure to cortisol levels can lead to exhaustion and dysregulate the system, leading to suppression and chronic inflammation.

Sauna sessions, with temperatures of 110–140°F (infrared) or 176–212°F (traditional), promote relaxation. They trigger the release of endorphin. It aids in metal clarity and reduces stress. It supports deep sleep due to relaxed muscles and encourages mindfulness that can improve emotional resilience, as per Finnish surveys.

Risks and Considerations

While saunas can provide loads of benefits, they also pose risks for patients with specific health issues. Here are some risks and considerations that wellness providers should consider before recommending saunas to their patients:

Dehydration and Overheating

As we mentioned earlier, saunas can cause 0.5–1L sweat loss in 10–15 minutes. It can cause dehydration for patients already challenged by hydration. The process of dehydration can intensify symptoms like fatigue, headaches, and a dry throat. A person who already has a high fever when exposed to the sauna can experience elevated heartbeats.

Strain on The Heart and Body

Patients with heart issues are at high risk in saunas. Moreover, if they already have a fever, exposure to high temperatures can overload their cardiovascular function. It’s essential to consider the extent of mucus buildup and lung condition. The prolonged sauna use above 15 minutes can also drain energy, which can hinder recovery. Moreover, if the patient has difficulty breathing, saunas like infrared can exacerbate the effect.

Contagion Factor

The common cold is highly contagious, and it spreads fast. Using a public sauna increases the risk of spreading illness to others. Viruses spread through contact, air, or contaminated surfaces. It’s best to avoid recommending a public sauna for the first 4 days after the symptoms begin, when the virus is most contagious.

When to Avoid

Avoid recommending saunas to patients with the following conditions:

• High Fever
• Severe Fatigue
• Cardiovascular Complications
• Acute Illness
• Pregnancy
• Severe Aortic Stenosis

Smartmak’s Perspective for Professional Clients

For professional wellness experts, recommending saunas to patients can help them recover faster and feel better. As a sauna manufacturer with 19 years of experience, we offer the following recommendations to wellness experts:

Infrared Saunas In Wellness Facilities

Wellness facilities, whether spas, gyms, holistic health clinics, or community clubs, can equally benefit from using an infrared sauna. Providing relief to the patients through the tolerable lower temperature of 110°F to 140°F can attract clients seeking comfort. Similarly, gyms can promote muscle relaxation after a workout by improving blood circulation, even for users with a common cold. Moreover, it can strengthen portfolios for wellness clinics and hotels.

Importance of Professional Guidance

For wellness experts, it’s essential to provide professional guidance to their customers. Saunas can offer incredible benefits to the well-being of users with a common cold. However, it’s equally important to educate them on the fact that it’s not a cure for illness. Patients with severe conditions should always consider consulting their primary healthcare provider before using a sauna, steam room, or engaging in any heat therapy.

Long-Term Business Value

Integrating a high-quality Smartmak outdoor Infrared sauna can help attract customers seeking relief from cold symptoms. Wellness facilities can advertise their sauna as a means for relieving some of their common cold symptoms. It can help them in the following aspects:

• Client Retention through Safe and Guided Options
• Revenue Growth through Diverse Sauna Options (Dry, Steam, and Infrared)
• Responsible Messaging Increases Trust and Credibility of the Facility

Through utilizing the Smartmak customizable saunas, wellness facilities can ensure efficiency and profitability.

Conclusion

Saunas can relieve symptoms of the common cold through their mild heat. The elevated body temperature promotes mindfulness, better blood circulation, enhanced immune system response, and relaxed muscles. It offers many potential benefits, but there are also clear risks. A sauna, either infrared or steam, can help relieve mild cold symptoms, but patients with serious illness or fevers should avoid using a sauna.

As a wellness business owner, it’s essential to communicate these benefits and risks to the patients. As a business with expertise in sauna, Smartmak believes in building customer trust and long-term value.

FAQ

• Is a sauna good for the flu or only for mild colds

Sauna can be beneficial for flu and mild colds. However, it’s essential to realize that a sauna cannot cure these infections. It can only provide relief from the infection by improving circulation, mental well-being, and easing congestion, while promoting relaxation and sleep, but hydration and moderation are key to safe use.

• Can sauna heat boost the immune system when sick?

Yes, the heat transferred to the body through infrared, steam, or heating stones raises the body temperature. The rise in temperature assists in innate immunity, allowing cells to function more efficiently at core body temperature (37 °C), which is critical for fighting respiratory viruses like the common cold.

• Is it safe to sauna with a fever?

Safety should always be the primary factor to consider when using saunas. Users with any kind of fever should avoid saunas entirely. Fever can worsen in saunas, and complications like dehydration, heat exhaustion, and cardiovascular complications (fast heartbeat/arrhythmia) can occur.

• Can sauna sessions make a cold worse?

Yes, if the common cold has risen to problems like high fever, sauna sessions can absolutely make the cold worse. Problems like dehydration, overheating, cardiovascular stress, and dry heat irritation in the nasal passage and throat can worsen with saunas.

• What’s the difference between using an infrared sauna and a traditional sauna when sick?

The infrared provides gentle heating, which can be beneficial for mild aches. At the same time, the traditional sauna or steam sauna is effective for temporary congestion relief. However, avoid them together when you have a high fever or fatigue.