More on the Sauna

Hot on the heels of last week's sauna information comes more information on the hottest spot on campus. Many users are particularly interested in the physiological effects of saunas. Summarising the available evidence, it is clear that in a sauna the user will experience vasodilation of the skin, in other words a temporary increase in the size of the surface blood vessels and skin pores which will allow more heat to be transferred from the body core to the outer 'shell' of the body. Secondly that the sweat glands will be activated and because of the hot environment, the increased quantity of perspiration will evaporate causing an evaporative heat loss.

For those of you who want more detail; it has been shown that in many people there is an increase in cardiac output, by about 70% and that the mean blood circulation time decreases by about 60%. The pulse rate commensurately increased by 60%. There is a slight increase in blood pressure in 'normal "healthy" subjects, but in people who have high blood pressure, there is a slight increase in blood pressure. We again point out that the taking of ice-cold showers places some people at risk. The taking of such showers not only inhibits heat loss, but violently elevates the blood pressure to a point which could be dangerous to people with any form of heat ailment. Use a cool or tepid shower.