The doctor explained how useful the bath and to whom it is contraindicated

The bath is not just a tradition, but a medical tool that trains the heart, brain and immune system. However, there are conditions in which it is strictly prohibited. The benefits and contraindications of bath procedures told the Russian doctor Alexander Dzidzaria, writes sb.by.

About the effect of the bath on the body, the doctor began with the historical context:

The bath appeared a long time ago, Russian baths appeared no later than the ninth century. Under Prince Vladimir, baths were included in institutions for the poor and were kept by the church along with hospitals. It was believed that the bath is really useful. Of course, there were no scientific studies at the time, but they knew that those who go to the bath were less likely to get sick. In those days, the bath was the main place for healing. The first surgical procedures were carried out there, for example, stomatology sessions. Therefore, the bath is part of the cultural code, not a simple ritual, but a medical instrument.

On the effects on the cardiovascular system, Alexander Dzidzaria said:

- During a visit to the bath, the heart beats more often, the vessels react, expand, blood circulation changes. Studies have shown that people who love baths are less likely to die from heart disease. About 80-90% of heart attacks and strokes are preventable. The number one cause, especially in men, is cardiovascular disease. Therefore, do not fear cancer as much as cardiovascular disease and death from them.

The doctor cited data from Finnish studies:

Finnish scientists have followed 2,500 men for almost 30 years. Men who steamed 3 to 7 times a week reduced their risk of death from cardiovascular disease by 24% compared to those who went to the sauna once a week. People with high blood pressure are twice as likely to die from heart disease. But if you regularly go to the bath, this risk is reduced to the level of those with normal blood pressure. In 2017, the same scientists found that regular visits to the sauna reduces the risk of developing hypertension by almost half. No drug will do that. The risk of a sudden heart attack is reduced by half.

About the mechanisms of benefit, the doctor said:

- Scientists recruited a group of young guys from 18 to 22 years and drove them through a dry air bath at a temperature of 90 degrees. The session consisted of two sets: first 5 minutes, then 10 minutes with a 5-minute break. Three times a week for 5 months. They found that after a bath in the bloodstream significantly increased levels of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide helps to achieve a good erection, dilates blood vessels, improves blood flow. When nitric oxide is not enough, the vessels lose the ability to properly expand and narrow, endothelial dysfunction occurs - the first step to atherosclerosis.

Regarding the effect on immunity, Alexander Dzidzaria noted:

- With heat stress, the production of heat shock proteins, molecular chaperones, is started. They help damaged proteins not to lose shape. In normal life, these proteins are few, but with regular heat stress, the body begins to increase their production. At the same time, the production of interferon gamma is enhanced, which activates killer cells - lymphocytes that protect the body from viruses and cancer cells. Studies have shown that the number of NK cells increases after a bath. If you walk regularly, there are more of these cells and you just don’t get sick.

Speaking about the effect on mitochondria and muscles, the doctor gave the results of experiments:

- In 2018, American scientists took 20 volunteers with a sedentary lifestyle and applied pulsed short-term diathermia to one leg for 2 hours for 6 days. After 6 days, mitochondrial respiration in the heated leg increased by 30%. Scientists have proved that passive heating is able to start the same mitochondrial processes in the muscles as physical training. A year later, the same group immobilized one leg for 10 days. The first group received daily heat therapy, the second received nothing. In the group without heating, the respiratory capacity of the muscles fell by 27%, in the group with heating - only by 8%. Muscle loss was almost 8% and 4%, respectively.

Separately, the expert dwelled on the effect on the brain:

- A Finnish study found that those who went to the sauna 4 to 7 times a week had a 66% lower risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease compared to those who did it once a week. Japanese scientists confirm that more than 10,000 elderly people who took a hot bath every day were less likely to experience dementia. The bath also helps with depression. Studies have recorded an improvement in the condition within two weeks, improved sleep and a surge of strength. The bath helps to secrete a neurotrophic factor that penetrates the brain and helps it recover.

Alexander Dzidzaria warned of contraindications:

- There are conditions in which the bath is strictly prohibited. The first is unstable angina. If pain behind the sternum occurs at rest, this means that the vessels are so weak that even the load is not necessary. If you go to steam in this state, there will be a heart attack. The second is a recent heart attack. Only with the permission of the doctor, when you have completely passed the period of myocardial remodeling. The third is aortic stenosis. This is a narrowing of the valve through which blood exits the heart. The bath requires increased work of the heart, and with stenosis this is dangerous. The fourth is alcohol. In the bath, the pressure decreases sharply, and alcohol adds its effect. Pressure may drop critically, increasing the risk of arrhythmia.

In conclusion, the doctor stressed the importance of regularity:

Short-term stress triggers long-term adaptation. If you didn’t go to the bathhouse and then decided to go with your bathing friends, don’t be surprised that you’re not well. They trained their bodies. You need to walk quietly, gradually, systematically increasing time. Only after a course of about 20 treatments, the intensity of stress decreases and the body begins to adapt. A bath is not a panacea, but an important tool that has scientific evidence for the benefits of sleep, immunity, brain activity and the body. Do not run to the bath and not be afraid of it, but know about the benefits, disadvantages and understand who and in what cases it is possible.