7,658
Views
88
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Review

Health effects and risks of sauna bathing

Pages 195-205 | Received 01 Feb 2006, Accepted 02 May 2006, Published online: 18 Mar 2012

References

  • Kauppinen K. Sauna, shower, and ice water immersion. Physiological responses to brief exposures to heat, cool, and cold. Part III. Body temperatures. Arctic Med Res 1989; 48: 75–86.
  • Biro S, Masuda A, Kihara T, Tei C. Clinical implications of thermal therapy in lifestyle-related diseases. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2003; 228: 1245–1249.
  • Dugué B, Leppänen E. Adaptation related to cytokines in man: effects of regular swimming in ice-cold water. Clin Phys 2000; 20: 114–121.
  • Dugué B, Smolander J, Westerlund T et al. Acute and long-term effects of winter swimming and whole-body cryotherapy on plasma antioxidative capacity in healthy women. Scand J Clin Lab Invest 2005; 65: 395–402.
  • Hirvonen J, Lindeman S, Joukamaa M, Huttunen P. Plasma catecholamines, serotonin and their metabolites and beta-endorphin of winter swimmers during one winter. Possible correlations to psychological traits. Intl Circumpolar Health 2002; 61: 363–372.
  • Kauppinen K, Vuori I. Man in the sauna. Review article. Ann Clin Res 1986; 18: 173–185.
  • Kauppinen K. Sauna, shower, and ice water immersion. Physiological responses to brief exposures to heat, cool, and cold. Part 11. Circulation. Arctic Med Res 1989; 48: 64–74.
  • Kukkonen-Harjula K, Oja P, Laustiola K et al. Haemodynamic and hormonal responses to heat exposure in a Finnish sauna bath. Eur J Appl Physiol 1989; 58: 543–550.
  • Eisalo A, Luurila OJ. The Finnish sauna and cardiovascular diseases. Ann Clin Res 1988; 20: 267–270.
  • Ahonen E, Nousiainen U. The sauna and body fluid balance. Ann Clin Res 1988; 20: 257–261.
  • Gutiérrez A, Mesa JLM, Ruiz JR, Chirosa Q, Castillo MJ. Sauna-induced rapid weight loss decreases explosive power in women but not in men. Int J Sports Med 2003; 24: 518–522.
  • Kukkonen-Harjula K, Kauppinen K. How the sauna affects the endocrine system. Ann Clin Res 1988; 20: 262–266.
  • Jezovà D, Kvetnanský R, Vigaš M. Sex differences in endocrine response to hyperthermia in sauna. Acta Physiol Scand 1994; 150: 293–298.
  • Kauppinen K, Pajari-Backas M, Volin P, Vakkuri O. Some endocrine responses to sauna, shower and ice water immersion. Arctic Med Res 1989; 48: 131–139.
  • Vähä-Eskeli K, Erkkola R, Irjala K, Uotila P, Poranen AK, Säteri U. Responses of placental steroids, prostacyclin and thromboxane A2 to thermal stress during pregnancy. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 1992; 43: 97–103.
  • Kauppinen K. Sauna, shower, and ice water immersion. Physiological responses to brief exposures to heat, cool, and cold. Part I. Body fluid balance. Arctic Med Res 1989; 48: 55–63.
  • Leppäluoto J, Arjamaa O, Vuolteenaho O, Ruskoaho H. Passive heat exposure leads to delayed increase in plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide in humans. J Appl Physiol 1991; 71: 716–720.
  • Saikhun J, Kitiyanant Y, Vanadurongwan V, Pavasuthipaisit K. Effects of sauna on sperm movement characteristics of normal men measured by computer-assisted sperm analysis. Int J Androl 1998; 21: 358–363.
  • Laitinen LA, Lindqvist A, Heino M. Lungs and ventilation in the sauna. Ann Clin Res 1988; 20: 244–248.
  • Kiss D, Popp W, Wagner C, Zwick H, Sertl K. Effects of the sauna on diffusing capacity, pulmonary function and cardiac output in healthy subjects. Respiration 1994; 61: 86–88.
  • Kauppinen K. Facts and fables about sauna. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1997; 813: 654–662.
  • Keast ML, Adamo KB. The Finnish sauna bath and its use in patients with cardiovascular disease. J Cardiopulmonary Rehabil 2000; 20: 225–230.
  • Hannuksela M, Ellahham S. Benefits and risks of sauna bathing. Am J Med 2001; 110: 118–126.
  • Nguyen Y, Naseer N, Frishman WH. Sauna as a therapeutic option for cardiovascular disease. Cardiol Rev 2004; 12: 321–324.
  • Luurila OJ. The sauna and the heart. J Intern Med 1992; 231: 319–320.
  • Giannetti N, Juneau M, Arsenault A et al. Sauna-induced myocardial ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease. Am J Med 1999; 107: 228–233.
  • Tei C, Horikiri Y, Park J-C et al. Acute hemodynamic improvement by thermal vasodilation in congestive heart failure. Circulation 199591: 2582–2590.
  • Kihara T, Biro S, Imamura M et al. Repeated sauna treatment improves vascular endothelial and cardiac function in patients with chronic heart failure. J Am Coll Cardiol 2002; 39: 754–759.
  • Imamura M, Biro S, Kihara T et al. Repeated thermal therapy improves impaired vascular endothelial function in patients with coronary risk factors. J Am Coll Cardiol 2001; 38: 1083–1088.
  • Kihara T, Biro S, Ikeda Y et al. Effects of repeated sauna treatment on ventricular arrhythmias in patients with chronic heart failure. Circ J 2004; 68: 1146–1151.
  • Nurmikko T, Hietaharju A. Effect of exposure to sauna heat on neuropathic and rheumatoid pain. Pain 1992; 49: 43–51.
  • Isomäki H. The sauna and rheumatoid diseases. Ann Clin Res 1988; 20: 271–275.
  • Piso U, KOther G, Gutenbrunner C, Gehrke A. Analgetische Wirkungen der Sauna bei der Fibromyalgie. Phys Rehab Kur Med 2001; 11: 94–99. [in German]
  • Engel P, Afflerbach F, Müller C, Gutenbrunner C, Moog R. Zur therapeutischen Wirksamkeit von Ganzkörper Hyperthermien beim schmerzhaften Muskelbelastungssyndrom. Phys Rehab Kur Med 1996; 6: 113–117. [in German]
  • Masuda A, Nakazato M, Kihara T, Minagoe S, Tei C. Repeated thermal therapy diminishes appetite loss and subjective complaints in mildly depressed patients. Psychosom Med 2005; 67: 643–647.
  • Cox NJM Oostendorp GM, Folgering HT, van Herwaarden CL. Sauna to transiently improve pulmonary function in patients with obstructive lung disease. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1989; 70: 911–913.
  • van Hengstum M, Festen J, Corstens F. Measurement of tracheobronchial clearance after sauna in subjects with chronic bronchitis. Thorax 1991; 46: 732–733.
  • Preisler B, Falkenbach A, Kläber B, Hoffmann D. Der Einfluss der finnischen Trockensauna auf Asthma bronchiale im Kindesalter. Pneumologie 1990; 44: 1185–1187. [in German]
  • Ernst E, Pecho E, Wirz P, Saradeth T. Regular sauna bathing and the incidence of common colds. Ann Med 1990; 22: 225–227.
  • Vuori I. Sollten kranke oder alte Leute die Sauna meiden? Int Sauna-Arch 1994; 11:123132. [in German]
  • Papp A. Sauna-related burns: a review of 154 cases treated in Kuopio University Hospital Burn Center 1994–2000. Burns 2002; 28: 57–59.
  • Koski A, Koljonen V, Vuola J. Rhabdomyolysis caused by hot air sauna burn. Burns 2005; 31: 776–779.
  • Kortelainen M-L. Hyperthermia deaths in Finland in 1970–86. Am J Forens Med Pathol 1991; 12: 115–118.
  • Ylikahri R, Heikkonen E, Suokas A. The sauna and alcohol. Ann Clin Res 1988; 20: 287–291.
  • Roine R, Luurila OJ, Suokas A et al. Alcohol and sauna bathing: Effects on cardiac rhythm, blood pressure, and serum electrolyte and cortisol concentrations. J Intern Med 1992; 231: 333–338.
  • Milunsky A, Ulcickas M, Rothman KJ, Willett W, Jick SS, Jick H. Maternal heat exposure and neural tube defects. JAMA 1992; 268: 882–885.
  • Rapola J, Saxén L, Granroth G. Anencephaly and the sauna. Lancet 1978; 1: 1162.
  • Waldenström U. Warm tub bath and sauna in early pregnancy: risk of malformation uncertain. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1994; 73: 449–451.
  • Tikkanen J, Heinonen OP. Maternal hyperthermia during pregnancy and cardiovascular malformations in the offspring. Eur J Epidemiol 1991; 7: 628–635.
  • Judge CM, Chasan-Taber L, Gensburg L, Nasca PC, Marshall EG. Physical exposures during pregnancy and congenital cardiovascular malformations. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2004; 18: 352–360.
  • Saxén L, Holmberg PC, Nurminen M, Kuosma E. Sauna and congenital defects. Teratology 1982; 25: 309–313.
  • Vähä-Eskeli K, Erkkola R, Seppänen A. Is the heat dissipating ability enhanced during pregnancy? Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 199139:169–174.
  • Vähä-Eskeli K, Erkkola R. The sauna and pregnancy. Ann Clin Res 1988; 20: 79–82.
  • Markkola L, Mattila KJ, Koivikko MJ. Sauna habits and related symptoms in Finnish children. Eur J Pediatr 1989; 149: 221–222.
  • Rissmann A, Al-Karawi J, Jorch G. Infant 's physiological response to short heat stress during sauna bath. Klin Pädiatr 2002; 214: 132–135.
  • Jokinen E, Välimäki I. Children in sauna: Electrocar-diographic abnormalities. Acta Paediatr Scand 1991; 80: 370–374.
  • Jokinen E, Välimäki I, Antila K, Seppänen A, Tuominen J. Children in sauna: Cardiovascular adjustment. Pediatrics 1990; 86: 282–288.
  • Zeitlin R, Somppi E, Järnberg J. Paediatric burns in central Finland between the 1960s and the 1980s. Burns 1993; 19: 418–22.
  • Sugahara Y, Ishii M, Muta H, Egami K, Akagi T, Matsuishi T. Efficacy and safety of thermal vasodilation therapy by sauna in infants with severe congestive heart failure secondary to ventricular septal defect. Am J Cardiol 2003; 92: 109–113.
  • Hannuksela M, Väänänen A. The sauna, skin and skin diseases. Ann Clin Res 1988; 20: 276–278.
  • Vanakoski J, Seppälä T. Heat exposure and drugs. A review of the effects of hyperthermia on pharma-cokinetics. Clin Pharmacokinet 199834:311–322.
  • Vanakoski J, Idänpää Heikkilä JJ, Seppälä T. Exposure to high environmental temperature in the sauna does not change plasma indocyanine green (ICG) clearance in healthy subjects. Pharmacol Toxicol 1996; 78: 94–98.
  • Vanakoski J, Idänpää Heikkilä JJ, Olkkola KT, Seppälä T. Effects of heat exposure in a Finnish sauna on the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of midazolam. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1996; 51: 335–338.
  • Vanakoski J, Strömberg C, Seppälä T. Effects of a sauna on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of midazolam and ephedrine in healthy young women. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1993; 45: 377–381.
  • Vanakoski J, Seppälä T. Renal excretion of tetracycline is transiently decreased during short term heat exposure. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 1997; 35: 204–207.
  • Luurila OJ, Kohvakka A, Sundberg S. Comparison of blood pressure response to heat stress in sauna in young hypertensive patients treated with atenolol and diltiazem. Am J Cardiol 1989; 64: 97–99.
  • Kukkonen-Harjula K, Oja P, Vuori L. et al. Cardiovascular effects of atenolol, scopolamine and their combination on healthy men in Finnish sauna baths. Eur J Appl Physiol 1994; 69: 10–15.
  • Barkve TF, Langseth Manrique K, Bredesen JE, Gjesdal K. Increased uptake of transdermal glyceryl trinitrate during physical exercise and during high ambient temperature. Am Heart J 1986; 112: 537–541.
  • Vanakoski J, Seppälä T, Sievi E, Lunell E. Exposure to high ambient temperature increases absorption and plasma concentrations of transdermal nicotine. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1996; 60: 308–315.
  • Koivisto VA. Sauna induced acceleration in insulin absorption from subcutaneous injection site. BMJ 1980; 280: 1411–1413.
  • Zacur HA, Hedon B, Mansour D, Shangold GA, Fisher AC, Creasy GW. Integrated summary of Ortho EvraTM/EvaTM contraceptive patch adhesion in varied climates and conditions. Fertil Steril 2002;77(Suppl 2):532–35.