Is Sauna Good For Asthma?
With over 27 million Americans affected, asthma is a widespread condition. Among the remedies discussed, can sauna sessions offer relief for asthma sufferers? Let’s explore.
What is Asthma?
Asthma, as defined by the American Lung Association, is a chronic lung condition marked by airway inflammation. This makes airways sensitive to triggers like dust or smoke, causing breathing difficulties, swelling, excess mucus, and tightening.
There are seven types of asthma:
- Allergic asthma
- Aspirin-induced asthma
- Cough-variant asthma
- Exercise-induced asthma
- Nighttime asthma
- Steroid-resistant asthma
- Occupational asthma
Asthma is incurable, meaning once you have it, you’ll always have it. However, by managing triggers and using appropriate treatments, individuals can achieve a stable, healthy life.
Although there’s no known cure for asthma, several methods can help manage its symptoms. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, one common way is to use inhaled corticosteroids such as fluticasone, budesonide, mometasone, beclomethasone, and ciclesonide, which are safe, well-tolerated, and effective.
Antileukotrienes like montelukast sodium, zafirlukast, and zileuton are also used to manage asthma.
Additionally, alongside medications like inhalers, breathing exercises such as diaphragmatic breathing, pursed lip breathing, the Buteyko method, and yoga breathing improve lung function, reduce oxygen dependency, and manage asthma symptoms effectively.
If you’re concerned about long-term medication use or find exercise challenging due to respiratory issues, a sauna session might help you manage asthma symptoms.
Is Sauna Good For Asthma?
Emerging research indicates that regular sauna bathing may lower the risk of respiratory diseases, including asthma.
A 2017 prospective cohort study published in the European Journal of Epidemiology tracked 1,935 middle-aged Caucasian men over a median period of 25.6 years.
The study revealed that those who used a sauna 2–3 times per week had a 27% lower risk of developing respiratory illnesses compared to those who used it once a week or less.
Remarkably, individuals who engaged in sauna bathing 4 or more times weekly experienced a 41% risk reduction.
For pneumonia specifically, frequent sauna use was associated with up to a 37% lower risk. These findings suggest that regular heat exposure may enhance lung function and reduce inflammation—key factors in asthma management.
While direct evidence on sauna use and asthma is still limited, the broader respiratory benefits highlight its promising potential as a supportive therapy.
Other Therapies that help with Asthma
Buteyko Breathing Technique
One simple way to manage asthma better is through the Buteyko Breathing Technique. It teaches you how to breathe slower and more gently, which helps open your airways and makes each breath more effective.
In a recent study , children who used this method felt a big difference in just four weeks, they could breathe easier and had fewer asthma symptoms.
Another study showed , adults had the same results, with better lung function and less need for medication. It’s a natural, drug-free way to breathe better and feel more in control.
Yoga
Yoga is one of the most effective natural ways to support asthma relief. It works by teaching you how to breathe better, stay calm, and gently open up your chest and lungs through simple stretches and movements.
When people with asthma practice yoga regularly, they often breathe easier and use their inhalers less.
In one study from Ethiopia , asthma patients who did yoga every day for four weeks needed fewer medications and had better lung strength.
Another study , with over 100 people, found that yoga helped them breathe better, feel more in control, and enjoy life more.
salt therapy
If you’re looking for other natural ways to manage asthma, salt therapy is worth a try. You sit in a room filled with tiny salt particles that you breathe deep into your lungs.
These salt particles break down mucus, calm inflammation, and help you breathe easier. According to the National Library of Medicine , studies show salt therapy can ease asthma symptoms and improve lung function, so it’s not just hype, it actually works.
Infrared sauna or traditional sauna for asthma
An infrared sauna can benefit asthma by alleviating symptoms and making breathing easier. Traditional saunas produce hot, humid air that can trigger asthma attacks, while infrared saunas are mild and gentle.
How to get the most out of your sauna?
Stay Hydrated
It is important to drink water after a sauna session to help your body rehydrate and replenish the fluids lost through sweating. Dehydration can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, or fatigue.
Shower
Showering before entering a sauna is essential for cleansing the skin, removing sweat and impurities, and regulating body temperature. It promotes hygiene and enhances the overall comfort and benefits of the sauna session.
Wear proper clothing
For the sauna, it’s best to wear clothing made from pure or high-cotton content that is loose-fitting and lightweight.
Ideal choices include an oversized t-shirt, a cotton wrap, or baggy yoga pants. These options allow your skin to breathe and prevent overheating, ensuring a comfortable sauna experience.
Avoid Alcohol
In Finland, where sauna bathing is prevalent, studies from 1990-2002 show that deaths in saunas are rare, with less than 2 per 100,000 inhabitants annually.
However, alcohol is a significant risk factor, present in 50% of all cases. To enhance safety, it’s crucial to avoid alcohol and ensure bathers are not left alone.
What is the best sauna for asthma?
Struggling with asthma? Discover the best sauna for asthma sufferers at Heavenly Heat. Most saunas use toxic adhesives and emit harmful EMFs.
At Heavenly Heat, we provide a safe, toxin-free environment designed with your health in mind. Imagine a sauna that enhances your respiratory health.
With no wood glue, plywood, or stains, our saunas are hypoallergenic and low-EMF. Choose from infrared, traditional, combination, and outdoor options.
Ryan "The Sauna Guy"
Ryan has been using and writing about saunas extensively since 2019.
