Effects of Steam Rooms

In addition to warming your entire body, a steam room increases humidity, alleviating sinus congestion and bronchitis. Asthma suffers may find relief in steam rooms. Alternative medicine advocates encourage steam bathing as a detoxification method for your skin and a soothing remedy for arthritic and aching joints.

History

• The luxury of relaxing in warm steam-filled rooms is not a new idea. Public steam baths in ancient Greece catered to both men and women, offering delightfully warm sanctuaries where citizens could socialize and sweat away the day's tensions. The Romans adopted the steam room idea but reserved it for royalty and war leaders, quickly constructing steam rooms as the army traveled. During the Dark Ages in Europe, steam rooms declined when plagues swept the continent. Today, steam rooms included in private construction as well as day spas, recreation centers and health clinics.

Features

• The basic components of a steam room are the steam generator and an interior conducive to withstanding high levels of heat and humidity. Condensation is natural in a steam room, and installers must prepare a drainage system for water collection. Ceramic tile and other masonry products are popular in steam rooms, as are redwood benches, which easily expand and contract with heat and moisture variations.

Benefits

• A steam room acts like a vaporizer but on a much larger scale: steam from a generator is piped into an airtight room. The high humidity lubricates dry sinus and nasal passages and thins the mucous secretions, offering relief to those with allergies, colds or asthma. In addition, the warm moist environment loosens muscles and relieves stress as the user relaxes. Creating an effect known as hyperthermia, holistic healers compare a steam bath treatment to an induced body fever, raising the body temperature slightly in order to rid the body of infections.

Function

• The room must be virtually airtight in order to maintain a high level of humidity and a constant temperature. The steam room promotes sweating more quickly than does a dry sauna, since the body's perspiration does not evaporate. Because of this, users may choose to spend less time in a steam room than in a dry sauna.

Considerations

• If you're making your own steam room, consider installing a sloped interior ceiling to allow moisture to condense and run off easily. A drain in the lowest level of the floor is imperative to remove water from the room. Allow the room to dry out between uses to prevent mold buildup and the transmission of germs. Wipe down the interior surfaces once a week with a household-bleach-and-water solution.

Warning

• Some people should not use a steam room without their doctor's permission. If you have a history of heart disease, only your doctor can advise you on whether a steam room is safe for you.
  Because a steam room raises your body temperature, start with only a few minutes and increase your time as your body adapts to the heat and humidity.