Is Sauna Good For Asthma? Here’s What Science Says:

With over 22 million asthmatic adults, asthma has become one of the leading respiratory health concerns in the country. And the one question that I am often asked by people with asthma symptoms is this: Is sauna good for asthma? 

Well, a short answer is: Yes, a sauna can help relieve asthma. 

You see, when it comes to respiratory illnesses, saunas have a proven track record of improving symptoms. 

In fact, as you inhale the warm sauna air, potential chest congestion clears up and your lung function improves significantly. This, in turn, aids better breathing and reduces the dangers of asthma. 

Curious how a steamist sauna bathing helps reduce asthmatic symptoms? 

Well, read on as I’ve discussed everything about sauna and asthma along with scientific research data for the same. 

Is sauna good for asthma or not? 

Let’s start with the billion-dollar question here, i.e., whether or not is sauna good for asthma patients. 

As I said earlier, sauna bathing can reduce the symptoms of asthma, among other respiratory issues. And it does so by reducing inflammation and clearing congestion in your lungs, both of which improve airflow as you breathe. 

After all, asthma occurs due to lower airflow in the lungs and as a result of high inflammation levels. 

However, when it comes to scientific evidence for sauna as a potential asthma remedy, there’s a catch you should be aware of. 

You see, there’s no conclusive scientific proof to point out that sauna bathing can indeed cure asthma. 

But that said, there are numerous studies that point to a clear reduction in asthmatic conditions by the use of dry heat techniques like the steamist sauna heater. Moreover, research also suggests that if you are currently asymptomatic, spending some time in the sauna can also reduce asthma probability to near zero. 

Sounds awesome, doesn’t it? 

Now, before we discuss the studies on sauna and asthma, let’s first understand how exactly asthma affects you. 

How does asthma affect your respiratory system? 

For starters, asthma is an inflammation in the lungs that results in reduced airflow to vital body organs. 

And this often results in people breathing faster and even causes chest or thoracic breathing. Also, if you’ve got asthma, its early symptoms can include constant wheezing and coughing. 

What’s worse? 

As the symptoms of asthma worsen, you can face anywhere from shortness of breath to high heartbeats, and more. 

In fact, a full-blown asthma attack can also be fatal or near-fatal with dangerously low blood pressure and unconsciousness. 

Simply put, while the effects of asthma can show up in the form of common respiratory issues, it can worsen to become potentially deadly. 

How does the sauna help relieve asthma symptoms? 

As I said earlier, a sauna isn’t a substitute for mainstream healthcare, and thus not a recommended treatment for asthma. 

Nevertheless, if you’re asthmatic, dry sauna bathing can be a good way to reduce asthma recurrence and avoid the worst symptoms. 

You see, the effects of sauna bathing on respiratory illnesses have been subject to countless researches. And if there’s one common thing that all of these studies have pointed to, it is improved respiration after subsequent sauna bathing over time. 

All in all, here’s how a sauna provides relief from asthma: 

#1. Sauna lowers inflammation significantly

Remember when I said asthma is primarily caused by inflammation in the lungs? 
In fact. inflammation itself can be caused by a host of factors including allergens, exposure to pollutants, lifestyle habits, and more. 

But whatever the cause, regular dry sauna sessions can drastically reduce inflammation levels not only in your lungs but throughout your body. This reduction in inflammation can also benefit those suffering from allergies. If you’re interested, check out our blog on using saunas for allergies. And this has especially been established for a fact by a study on children with bronchial asthma.

Furthermore, a group of Finnish researchers conducted a thorough study on two groups of people with asthma. And they found a major reduction in symptoms among regular sauna bathers. 

Here, while the first group of people had a sauna session daily, the second group only used the sauna once a week. As a result, while the first group had C-reactive protein levels of 1.65 mmol/L, the second group tested at 2.41 mmol/L for the same. 

Note: C-reactive protein levels are an essential measure of inflammation with higher protein levels indicating higher inflammation. 

Bonus: Sauna bathing also helps reduce the chances of pneumonia 

Did you know that asthma increases the risk of pneumonia by over 35 percent? 

A higher inflammation in asthmatic patients can make them susceptible to pneumonia. 
Nonetheless, studies conducted on young adults have shown that sauna bathing reduces the chances of pneumonia. Moreover, reduced inflammation as a result of regular sauna sessions can also bring down the rate of hospitalization.

#2. Sauna helps clear congestion and improve airflow 

Another important advantage of sauna for asthmatic individuals is the improved breathing that it helps achieve. And it does so in two ways. 

First, the dry and warm sauna air clears up any congestion that you might be facing around your lungs. 

Second, as I had discussed in my previous blog on sauna for sinusitis infections, the dry sauna heat clears up your airways, increases blood flow, and enhances heart rate. And by doing so, it stimulates extensive exercise, thus providing enough oxygen to even the outermost tissues of your skin. 

Now, while de-congestion helps you breathe normally, an improved blood flow helps with overall recovery. 

#3. Sauna eliminates the risk of asthma among asymptomatic people 

Apart from its ability to reduce existing symptoms, frequent sauna sessions can also ensure you never become asthmatic in the first place. 

According to the American Journal of Medicine, sauna bathing improves respiratory tract functioning. And this, in turn, reduces the chances of any respiratory illnesses, including asthma. 

In fact, this was also researched by Finnish researchers for a long period of 25 years. Herein, researchers observed over 40 percent decline in respiratory diseases among daily or frequent sauna bathers compared to those who sauna only once every week. 

Bonus: You can sauna every day on a budget right in your home 

You need not book an expensive spa therapy daily to prevent the chances of asthma or other respiratory diseases. That’s because some of the best residential steam shower kits are available on the market on a shoestring budget. 

Meaning you can build a steam sauna and use it every day and you’ll still end up spending less than what you’d on a public sauna bath. 

Sounds interesting, doesn’t it? 

Traditional or infrared sauna: Which one is good for asthma? 
When it comes to sauna bathing for asthma relief, both traditional and infrared saunas offer the same benefits. 

However, for people with serious asthma symptoms, a traditional sauna can be a bit too overwhelming. After all, these saunas are heated at temperatures over 150 degrees Fahrenheit. 

On the contrary, the temperature in infrared saunas is a little over 110 degrees Fahrenheit, something asthmatic individuals find way more relaxing. 

Not to mention, infrared saunas are more compatible with halotherapy or salt therapy using Himalayan salt bricks, which has proven benefits for respiratory illnesses like asthma.

Wondering how halotherapy aids respiratory health? 

You can read my blog on Himalayan Salt Sauna. 

To sum up 

If you’re still puzzled whether or not is sauna good for asthma, let me tell you that it sure is. 

Although there’s no substitute for mainstream medical treatment for asthma patients, sauna bathing can still help reduce the severity of symptoms. 

More so since sauna can reduce inflammation in the lungs, the primary source of asthma, and prevent chances of hospitalization. 

Even better, if you’re asthmatic, you can build a sauna right in your home and enjoy the health benefits without breaking the bank. 

How?

Well, you can explore our online storefront for home sauna solutions or reach out to us. 
At Steam and Sauna Experts, we’re authorized sellers of residential sauna materials from industry leaders like Delta, Mr Steam, Amerec, Kohler, and more. And we’ve got all your sauna requirements covered on a budget.

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