Asthma is a common chronic disease among children and adults, affecting over 260 million people worldwide. Here in New Zealand, 1 in 8 (570,000) individuals deal with and take medication for this condition.
Thankfully, emerging studies suggest that a home infrared sauna may serve as a supplementary aid for asthma treatments.
In this article, Sun Stream Saunas NZ will define asthma, its symptoms, and how infrared saunas can help minimise and prevent exacerbating its effects.
Defining Asthma
Asthma is a lung disease caused by inflammation around the airways, making it harder to breathe for those afflicted by this condition.
Due to this disturbance in airflow, symptoms may manifest as mild to severe coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath, otherwise classified as ‘asthma attacks.’
Common treatments include taking prescription medications such as bronchodilators to avoid exacerbating your inflammatory response and relax the airways.
How Infrared Saunas Help Reduce Symptoms
So, how do infrared (IR) saunas fit into the equation?
Emerging studies have extensively reviewed its effects on respiratory diseases such as asthma, and found that its benefits could reduce the probability of gaining respiratory diseases that may exacerbate your condition.
In one study spanning over 25 years, participants who frequently used a sauna four to seven times a week had almost 41% lower risk of respiratory disease, in comparison to those who used it once a week.
Pneumonia can make asthma symptoms worse, and reducing your risk of this disease is as good as preventing exacerbations.
Additionally, IR saunas are perfect for treating asthma when compared to the extreme temperatures of a Finnish sauna.
Since hot and humid air can be perceived as denser and heavier by people with asthma, this may make it more difficult to breathe. Humid air can also activate sensory nerves in airways, which may cause them to narrow and induce coughing in some.
IR saunas are gentler and less taxing on the body thanks to how they deliver heat to your body, making your experience comfortable for longer intervals. The gentle, yet effective heat can clear out any congestion and ease your body into a relaxing state while helping prevent asthma flare-ups.
Key Takeaways – Home Infrared Sauna For Asthma Flare-ups
A home infrared sauna may have the potential to help prevent severe asthma flare-ups when paired with existing treatments.
However, we must keep in mind that as of the moment, asthma is still incurable– IR saunas are simply one of the many ways to keep symptoms under manageable conditions.
For first-time users, we recommend drinking plenty of water before and after usage to stay hydrated. We also recommend staying approximately 10-15 minutes, and taking small breaks in between to avoid overexerting your body.
If you’re interested in taking one home to try for yourself, we recommend checking out our sauna models. Built with premium materials and equipped with low-EMF/ELF technology, our models provide a safer and better option for health and wellness enthusiasts.
Contact us today to get started.