The Advantages of a Steam Bath

The steam bath, a relic from the ancient Roman and Greek civilizations, has been regaining its popularity in recent times. More and more people opt for it in search of a number of advantages it is said to have over an ordinary bath or shower.

Lower Blood Pressure

• According an article in the National Library of Medicine, the steam bath, also called a sauna bath, can help lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients. This would also suggest the possibility of a steam bath having a preventive role against the same. This benefit, though, would result from long-term use of the sauna, rather than a once-off bath.

Relaxation

• According to a report appearing in Education Resource Information Center, the steam bath, responsibly used, offers a deeply relaxing experience. The ordinary bath is relaxing too, but not as profoundly, making this profound relaxation a unique advantage of the steam bath.

Relief from Asthma and Bronchitis

• Steam bathing, according to an article in the National Library of Medicine, can also give considerable relief to asthma and bronchitis patients. This is mainly attributed to the pulmonary function enhancements that come from the steam bath.

Heart Help

• The steam bath can help with certain heart conditions (though heart patients may need clearance from their doctors before embarking on this). This is what is strongly suggested by an article in the National Library of Medicine, on the Efficacy of Continued Sauna Baths in Patients with the type of chronic heart failure that is characterized by systolic difficulties. Note is to be made of the fact that focus here is on repeated sauna baths, so that a single steam bath may not deliver the desired results. Indeed, in the study quoted in the article, the baths were performed daily, for a duration of four weeks, before the systolic disorders were relieved.

  An abstract on the "Fables and Facts About the Sauna," by the Canadian Sauna Society, published in the American National Library of Health, shows that a sauna, which is essentially a steam bath, places the heart under the same load as a brisk walk--thereby giving the person undertaking it the same cardiovascular benefit as a person undertaking the brisk walk.

Pain Relief

• There is evidence on the efficacy of a steam bath in treatment of chronic pain (like the pain characteristic of arthritis). This is what can be inferred from the conclusion of a study summary presented in the National Health Library, the study published in the "Can Fam Physician" of July 2009 by R. Beever.