Taking a sauna regularly is said to protect against colds. General practitioner Dr. Stefan Wilm explains whether that is really true.
The warmth clings to the body, the sweat rolls off the skin – and with every breath something seems to be released. Taking a sauna not only feels relaxing, it is also said to strengthen the immune system. The belief that regular sweating cures protect against colds is particularly persistent. But what actually happens in the body when we expose ourselves to intense heat? And is it really true that sauna goers get sick less often? In an article on the health portal 24vita.de, general practitioner Dr. Stefan Wilm presents the claims scientifically.
Guide “Protection from the flu wave”
This PDF guide offers compact information on transmission routes, prevention and vaccination recommendations – including a personal protection plan. Download for free as a PDF HERE.
How sauna mobilizes the immune system
Anyone who sweats regularly benefits: “The cardiovascular system is stimulated and this in turn supports the immune system,” explains Dr. Wilm. However, consistency is crucial: occasional trips to the sweat cabin have no demonstrable effect. The mechanism is similar to the Kneipp principle – by alternating between extreme heat and cooling, the cardiovascular system is trained, which strengthens the body’s defenses. However, this protective effect only develops through sustained use over months.
If your nose runs: does the heat help or hurt?
The topic becomes really controversial as soon as the first signs of a cold become noticeable. “There are patients who say that when I notice that I’m getting a cold, I quickly go to the sauna and then it doesn’t come. However, there are no studies that would prove this,” the doctor clarifies. However, other sufferers have completely opposite experiences: after going into the sweat cabin when the first symptoms appear, their condition worsens dramatically.
This area of tension illustrates the problem: As long as scientific evidence is lacking, the use of the sauna against acute infections is based on pure assumptions. The research situation remains incomplete and does not provide any clear answers.
In the full article on 24vita.de you will find out:
► What the risk of infection in public saunas is all about.
► When you really shouldn’t go to the sauna.
You can read the complete article here.
Also interesting: Dr. Wilm explains how dangerous a delayed cold is and that cold tips are just a myth.
