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Why is it dangerous to use a sauna or sweat when you have diarrhea?

Created by
  • Lumen
Category
  1. Enteritis
  2. Upset stomach
Taking a sauna when you have diarrhea is not helpful and can actually be very dangerous as it can lead to severe dehydration and salt deficiency.
The physiological reasons and the correct way to deal with it are as follows.
1. What Diarrhea and Saunas Have in Common: Elimination of Fluid and Salt
Diarrhea is one of the digestive system's major cleansing functions; it is a natural immune and defense mechanism that makes the body cleaner and healthier by flushing out parasites, toxins, and disease-causing substances from the intestines. Saunas are also an excellent detoxification method that accelerates molecular movement through heat, helping to rapidly expel accumulated waste and toxins (such as estrogenic chemicals) through sweat.
2. Fatal risk of concomitant occurrence: Severe electrolyte and fluid depletion
The biggest change that occurs in the body when having diarrhea or sweating in a sauna is the massive loss of body fluids and essential electrolytes, such as salt (sodium).
Diarrhea, vomiting, and sweating are all the most direct causes of salt deficiency in the body.
Therefore, if you artificially induce further sweating through a sauna while the body is already depleted of large amounts of fluids and salts due to diarrhea, the body's fluid and electrolyte balance will rapidly collapse, leading to severe dehydration. Excessive salt loss due to sweating and diarrhea can damage kidney function and cause fluid retention; furthermore, a decrease in blood volume resulting from dehydration and salt deficiency can lead to life-threatening situations such as a drop in blood pressure, dizziness, circulatory collapse, and fainting.
3. The Right Way to Deal with It
When diarrhea occurs, you must immediately stop activities that deplete additional body fluids, such as saunas or strenuous exercise. Instead, you should
focus on getting sufficient rest and actively replenishing the fluids and electrolytes (especially salt) lost due to the diarrhea . To prevent dehydration and salt deficiency, the safest and most effective course of action is to frequently drink bone broth with a little salt or an electrolyte drink made by mixing coconut water, fruit juice, and salt.