Medical Risks from Saunas, Steam Baths, and Whirlpools

QUESTION: On a recent vacation, I visited the health club to exercise a bit.
I noted all the warnings around their hot tubs and steam rooms. Can you
explain what the medical risks are in using saunas, steam baths and
whirlpools? I wasn't sure, so I stayed out of them.
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ANSWER: Your caution was wise, as it always is, but probably unnecessary. In
general, when saunas, steam baths and whirlpools are used with caution, the
risks are limited. But there are some things some people should watch out
for.
It is risky business for cardiac patients, for example, to do a
traditional Finnish sauna, in which a person jumps from one of these "baths"
into ice cold water or snow. Many doctors recommend that all middle aged
persons refrain from such activity, as there is a lot of heart disease that
goes undiagnosed. And the sauna owners post these notices as a matter of
legal protection, posting the warnings that put you on notice.
The major source of problems for the general population is simply staying
in the bath too long. The increased body heat can not be cooled by the normal
process of sweating (since you are either immersed in water or are in a high
humidity environment). So the heart works a bit harder than normally, trying
to push blood through to the skin, which under ordinary circumstances would
help cool it down.
Eating or drinking alcohol may also lead to fainting if you do so before
or during hot bath use, for both activities affect the way the blood flows
through your body.
The next time you visit your doctor, you might wish to ask the same
question and receive personalized advice that applies to your own state of
health. For the most part, when people use saunas, steam baths and whirlpools
sensibly and with caution, they can obtain soothing relaxation and the
experience is quite pleasurable.