Janissa Delzo

Saunas have been around for thousands of years, thanks to the Finnish, and are often viewed as a weight loss tool. Despite their long history, theres no scientific data indicating <a href="https://www.menshealth.com/health/g19538255/sauna-health-benefits/" id="80437636-8769-3d8c-ace9-672c2f91759e"> saunas help </a> with weight loss, says Rita Redberg, M.D., a practicing cardiologist in San Francisco, California, who has <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2130717" id="85eb7574-0339-3d1c-aa8b-e7c7f2a1292c"> written about sauna bathing </a> . However, she still highly recommends saunas for other reasons.

A published in JAMA Internal Medicine on middle-aged Finnish men found that men who frequented the sauna lived longer than those who used it less, but it is unclear why.

It is not known if the health benefits associated with sauna use are from the physiological effects of the sauna itself, or just the act of <a href="https://www.menshealth.com/health/a19547925/relaxing-breathing-technique/" id="4dffef5f-1f19-36bb-aeca-629b684f0108"> taking the time to relax </a> , as one must do in a sauna, or the camaraderie of the sauna, especially in Finland, where it is often a family activity, says Dr. Redberg, who tried Finnish saunas on a recent trip to Helsinki, the capital of Finland.

Saunas are typically set to at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit, but the ones Dr. Redberg tried in Helsinki, were much hotter, she notes.

Although in-home saunas are less common in the U.S. than Finland, many gyms and spas in the U.S. have them. Before you use one though, theres a couple of things you should know.

<h1> Saunas are not a weight loss solution. </h1>

It is definitely a myth that sitting in a sauna leads to meaningful and long term weight loss, because the weight you lose in a sauna is water weight, explains Mike Sevilla, M.D., a practicing family physician in Salem, Ohio, who frequently gets questions from patients about using saunas. Some or all of this weight loss goes away when you rehydrate yourself following the sauna session.

Drinking a lot of water before and after using a sauna is a must, says Dr. Redberg.

The main danger of using a sauna is the possibility of becoming severely dehydrated. This can happen from sitting in the sauna for too long and/or the temperature becomes too warm.

Signs and symptoms of severe dehydration include dry mouth, excessive thirst, and dizziness or lightheadedness, says Dr. Sevilla. If you notice any of those symptoms starting to happen, exit the sauna immediately and rehydrate yourself.

To avoid dehydration and its complications, Dr. Sevilla recommends using the sauna for 15-20 minutes at a time. And, if you have a history of heart problems, its best to check with your family physician before using one.

Sitting in a hot and crowded wooden room may be relaxing, although slightly uncomfortable, but could a sauna actually help you lose weight?

Should You Use a Sauna to Help with Weight Loss?

Swelling or technically, edema, the medical term for swelling due to fluid accumulation can wind up in any body parts, but its often most notable in the legs or feet. Swollen feet among young and middle-aged men aren't usually a cause for concern, explains Steven Lamm, M.D., medical director of the NYU Preston Robert Tisch Center for Men's Health. But its worth knowing what usually makes feet swell so you know if whats happening is something you need to talk to a doc about, or whether its fine to just bring your feet down to size yourself.

<h2>1) You're On a Long Flight or Road Trip</h2>

While sitting for an extended period of time, your veins aren't as effective at circulating blood back to the heart, Dr. Lamm says. Your upright, seated position has two strikes against you: it reduces the muscular contraction that helps bring blood back to the heart, and you are compressing the veins in your legs which reduces blood flow.

To prevent or limit swelling next time, its essential to get up, stretch, and move. On long-haul flights, walk around every hour or two. Compression socks can also help reduce swelling, Dr. Lamm says; they can keep fluid from building up in the legs. He also recommends a supplement called pycnogenol; its actually an extract from pine bark that can reduce swelling, according to <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/107602960501100307#targetText=Pycnogenol%C2%AE%20has%20been%20demonstrated,swelling%2C%20itching%2C%20and%20cramps.&amp;targetText=The%20study%20hypothesis%20was%20that,and%20symptoms%20linked%20to%20swelling." link="null" rel="noopener noreferrer"> research </a> on people who took flights of at least 7 hours.

<h2>2) You're Not Getting Enough Exercise</h2>

Almost all of us can benefit by moving more often. More sessions in the gym certainly count, but so does adding in more movement throughout the day. A sedentary lifestyle has many negative effects, including taking a toll on blood circulation, causing your feet to swell.

To reduce the swelling, take regular walking or stretching breaks throughout the day, suggests Alex McDonald, MD, CAQSM, a family physician in San Bernardino, California. Try <a href="https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a29491911/best-travel-office-stretches/" link="null" rel="noopener noreferrer"> these stretches </a> , especially after sitting all day.

Indulging in salty meals or adding too much of it to your food can cause water retention, which can lead to swollen legs, ankles and feet, explains Dr. Lamm. Just like how salty foods can cause us to feel bloated around our abdomen, reducing daily salt intake can help cut down on lower leg swelling, says Lamm.

Perhaps the most painful reason on this list is that you sprained your ankle. The rapid swelling that comes after you twist your ankle is your body's way of responding to injury.

Overuse or incorrect training can also lead to swollen ankles, says Clifford L. Jeng, MD, medical director of The Institute for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction at Mercy Medical Center, who suggests resting, icing, and going to a physical therapist or athletic trainer to rehab that injury.

<h2>5) You're Taking A New Medication</h2>

A new medication including some high blood pressure medications and over-the-counter pain medications can increase the risk of swelling. But its highly individual, says Dr. McDonald.

If the swelling doesn't improve after several days, is painful, or localized in one leg, Dr. Lamm suggests talking to your physician because it could indicate a larger health issue. Unexplained prolonged swelling or puffiness on just one side can be a sign of heart or kidney failure. Don't freak out if you're young swollen feet are typically not serious, Dr. Lamm says but do mention persistent, unexplained swelling to your doctor.

Your shoes are really bugging you. You look down, and the feet that were their normal size this morning are weirdly swollen? What's going on?

5 Reasons Your Feet are Weirdly Swollen

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Janissa Delzo

Articles written by the author

Should You Use a Sauna to Help with Weight Loss?

5 Reasons Your Feet are Weirdly Swollen