A steam room is a heated, highly humid room in which relaxation is taken and diseases are alleviated. To create a steam room, a generator filled with water pumps steam into an enclosed space. This means that there is the expected moisture in the air.
The temperature inside the steam room is usually around 40-45 degrees Celsius, and the humidity oscillates around 100 percent.
Benefits of using a steam room
Improving circulation
Staying in a steam room has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, especially in the elderly. Moist heat, improves circulation by dilating small blood vessels and capillaries.
Blood then flows more easily and transports oxygen. Steam room therapy keeps your heart healthier and also helps repair damaged skin tissue caused by wounds such as ulcers.
Healthier skin
Both steam rooms and saunas cause sweating due to heat. Sweating opens the pores and helps cleanse the outer skin. Warm condensation helps flush out dirt and dead epidermis, which can be used to treat acne.
Regeneration after training
After an intense workout, muscle pain may be felt. The steam room helps to relax the muscles, which accelerates rapid and healthy regeneration. Immediate application of moist heat after training helps reduce pain and maintain muscle strength. Heat soothes the nerve endings and also relaxes the muscles.
Relaxed stiff joints
The steam room can also be used before training, as it helps to relax the joints and increase the flexibility of the body, just like the warm-up before training. A steam room can also help reduce joint pain.
Reduced stress
Being in the heat of a steam room can cause the body to release endorphins, which are known as “feel-good” hormones because they help reduce feelings of stress in the body. A steam room can also lower levels of cortisol, a hormone released in response to stress.
When cortisol levels drop, people may feel more controlled, relaxed, and rejuvenated.
Open bays
Heat from the steam room opens the mucous membranes around the body. This makes it possible to breathe deeper and easier. The steam room can be used to treat colds, unblock sinuses and support breathing.
Supporting calorie burning
In the steam room, the heart rate of the person staying there increases. If the use of the steam room occurs after training, the increased heart rate may be prolonged. The heat generated by the steam room and sweating can stimulate the body and improve well-being.
After using the steam room, you should drink enough fluids to avoid dehydration.
Differences between a steam room and a sauna
The steam room and the sauna are similar in that both are heated rooms used to relax and relieve the symptoms of certain medical conditions. However, there are differences between them.
The key difference is that while the steam rooms are filled with humid heat, the sauna provides dry heat from a wood-burning or electric stove. The sauna is panelled and the stove heats the rocks, which in turn give off heat to the enclosed room. A small amount of steam may appear in the room if the user pours water on hot stones. The temperature in the sauna is usually higher than in the steam room and is about 50-110 degrees Celsius, while the humidity level is much lower and ranges from 5 to 30 percent .
The threat
While there are many benefits to a steam room, people using it should be cautious and aware of the risks.
Due to the hot temperature, there is a risk of dehydration of the body and it is not recommended to stay inside for more than 15 minutes. It is also important to drink plenty of water earlier and after the session. The maximum daily stay in the steam room should not exceed 30 minutes, with a shower after every 10 minutes. The shower should be warm and not cover the head.
The steam room provides an ideal environment for the development and spread of certain types of bacteria and germs.Examples of this risk are ringworm and other fungal infections that can develop in warm, humid conditions. Therefore, in a steam room it is recommended to wear a towel and flip-flops or shoes for the shower.
Due to the extreme heat in steam rooms, some people are advised to avoid them:
- pregnant women,
- everyone with heart disease,
- people with very low or high blood pressure,
- everyone with epilepsy,
- people taking antibiotics,
- people under the influence of drugs, stimulants, sedatives or alcohol.