Why Do I Feel Worse After Infrared Sauna? ( Answered By Dr )

By Dr. Candy Akers

People who use saunas benefit in many ways. However, there are some that experience a few negative side effects as well. The good news is, the negative effects are outweighed by the positive effects. But let's talk about the reasons why infrared saunas can make you feel less than great. 

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Detoxification

Your body is exposed to a variety of toxins on a daily basis. They may be found in the food you eat, the air you breathe in, etc. Those toxins inhaled by you are in turn stored in your fat cells. 


That's where the infrared sauna comes in. It's used to detoxify your body. What they do is release different wavelengths of light that flush toxins out of your body and thus detoxify you. 


Although your body organs such as the kidney and liver are designed for the detoxification of wastes from your body, the use of infrared saunas can lessen the load on your organs.


The risk is how much you are heating your body. Heating your body more than required can make perspire too much, resulting in severe dehydration. Your body needs to maintain a certain level of water and electrolyte balance. Dehydration decreases your water level to such an extent that normal body functioning is impaired and thus you feel worse.

Medical Symptoms of Detox Reactions:

The most common sauna detox symptoms you may face are:

  • Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting
  • Fatigue 
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Feeling weak
  • Headache 
  • Hypotension 
  • Hyperventilation
  • Muscle soreness

The symptoms vary from person to person. If you are healthy you may only develop mild symptoms like nausea, vomiting, fatigue, or perhaps even flu-like symptoms.


Nevertheless, if your body isn't healthy and you have chronic or congenital problems or suffer from any other medical condition, your chances of facing severe symptoms are high. Therefore, you should take precautions and consult your doctor before beginning any sauna sessions.

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Causes of Symptoms:

A symptom is a sign that your body sends to your brain informing you of your body’s condition. Symptoms like nausea, vomiting, headache, and weakness are due to dehydration. The excessive amount of water loss can put your body in danger. If you feel any of these symptoms you should stop the sauna session so you don’t face detrimental health issues.

Treatment:

In case you face any of the symptoms mentioned above, here are a few tricks that will make you feel better.

1. Increase your fluid intake.

2. Get some rest.

3. Try ibuprofen to help with your sore muscles.

With that said, if your symptoms are severe you should immediately visit your doctor.

Infrared Saunas And Nose Bleeds:

If you have a nose bleed after the infrared sauna, it may be because of the drying out of the nasal membrane. The nasal membrane is so delicate that when it gets dry it can bleed.

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What Types Of Toxins Are Being Released During Detox?

Infrared saunas detoxify heavy metals seven times more effectively than any other saunas.


While most of your body sweat is composed of water and salt, studies show that sweat induced by an infrared sauna is composed of 15-20% of cholesterol, fat-soluble toxins, heavy metals, ammonia, mercury, and sulfuric acid (as well as sodium and uric acid). In other words, sweat from infrared saunas may aid your body in removing environmental toxins from your body.

Dr. Candy's Recommendations 

Best Infrared Saunas

HigherDose Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna

What I Like:

  • Extra foot heaters fight infections and improve circulation
  • Simple and easy to put together- plugs into a normal home electrical outlet
  • Space saving design fits in any room
  • Affordable price for health-boosting benefits

$7,099.00

Learn more

Clearlight® Premier™ IS-2 Far-Infrared Sauna

What I Like:

  • Super high-quality materials made to last
  • Lifetime warranty on every component
  • Strong but safe high-output heaters
  • Bonus features like bluetooth speakers and chromotherapy light settings

$5,999.00

Learn more

Other Recommendations

You are going to need an all-natural towel to remove sweat containing heavy metals- so that they are removed from your skin before they are reabsorbed. You want your towel to be free of potentially toxic chemicals like flame retardants, bleach, plastics, and dyes. 

SaunaSpace Bath Sheet 

 39” x 71”

 100% organic cotton

SaunaSpace Bath Sheet 

 39” x 71”

 100% organic cotton

Reference

Sears, M. E., Kerr, K. J., & Bray, R. I. (2012, February 22). Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and Mercury in sweat: A systematic review. Journal of Environmental and Public Health. Retrieved September 3, 2022, from https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jeph/2012/184745/