Why Do I Feel Worse After Infrared Sauna Therapy?

As we know, an infrared sauna is a popular and well-known way to relax and detoxify the body. However, many people experience feelings of sickness right when they get out of the room that has been heated up to high temperatures.

If you’re one of them, you might wonder: why do I feel worse after infrared sauna use when it should be a delightful experience? Am I doing things wrong? Or maybe there’s something wrong with the immune system that makes me more sensitive to heat or cold?

The answer is not as simple as that. In this blog post, we will discuss why you may be feeling worse after an infrared sauna and what steps can be taken to avoid this from happening in the future.

What Happens During Infrared Sauna Sessions?

During your infrared sauna treatment, the sauna temperature can get extremely hot.

Your skin temperature can be raised up to 45 degrees Celsius (113 F), which is why you may experience sweating, dizziness, fatigue, or nausea.

The heat from the sauna room raises your core body temperature as well so this could make you tired for some time after treatment.

The increased blood flow in your capillaries leads to muscle relaxation, especially if you are under stress at work or have suffered chronic pain lately.

Is It Normal To Feel Sick After My Infrared Sauna Session?

Yes, it is normal to feel sore and sick after a sauna session. These are very common feelings that are felt by almost everyone who ever tried the therapy or has undergone heat stress, especially if this is the first time your body has been exposed to infrared heat.

Note that if you feel unwell when you use an infrared sauna, your symptoms will disappear once your body starts adjusting to them.

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The Most Common Symptoms When Feeling Bad After An Infrared Sauna Treatment

Not everyone has similar symptoms. When in an infrared sauna, you can experience a lot more discomfort.

Fatigue

As the sauna raises your core body temperature, you may feel tired and exhausted. This is why it’s recommended not to drive yourself home if you’re feeling sick because of the infrared therapy session. You want to avoid car accidents!

Dizziness Or Nausea

If you have high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, or are pregnant, you might feel dizzy and nauseous. You may also experience vertigo, brain fog, and anxiety due to your blood-brain barrier being compromised. This is because foreign particles are being redistributed as they relocate themselves.

Headache

A headache may be a sign that you’re not drinking enough water so make sure to have at least two liters of fluid per day if you’re undergoing infrared sauna therapy.

Skin Irritation

Because of the high temperature, you may experience redness and itchiness on your skin that can be relieved with a cool shower or by applying natural oils like olive oil.

When we sweat, our bodies lose water, and sometimes nutrients like calcium and potassium are included. This can lead to health problems like skin disorders due to the loss of moisture.

Feeling Sick In Other Parts Of Your Body

Some people experience feeling sick even in their stomach and vomiting. This is why it’s important to not overeat but not have a therapy session with an empty stomach either.

Have a light snack after your treatment if you are prone to nausea.

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Why Do I Feel Worse After Infrared Sauna Use? Here Are 16 Possible Reasons (Including Remedies!)

All of the side effects mentioned can happen because of several reasons discussed below:

Dehydration

When the body is exposed to elevated sauna temperature, it sweats and releases toxins. If these toxins are not replaced with fluids, the person may feel dehydrated and sick.

To avoid dehydration, drink plenty of fluids before, during, and after your sauna session. You can also drink electrolyte solutions like Gatorade or Powerade to replace lost minerals.

Heat Exhaustion

If you’re not used to exercising in high temperatures or if you have a medical condition that affects your ability to regulate heat, then you may be more susceptible to heat exhaustion after an infrared sauna session.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include nausea, dizziness, headache, weakness, excessive sweating, and thirst.

If you experience any of these symptoms after using an infrared, leave the steam room immediately, dehydrate, and let your body cool down.

Sensitivity To Extreme Temperatures

Another reason people may feel worse is that they are more sensitive to heat or cold. This is why some people feel better in cold weather and worse in hot weather, and vice versa.

If you are more sensitive to extreme temperatures, try to avoid an infrared sauna when the temperature outside is very hot or cold. Instead, wait for a day when the weather is more moderate.

Immune System Response

The body’s immune response may also be the culprit. There could be something wrong with the immune system that makes someone more susceptible to feeling sick after infrared sauna therapy.

When the body is exposed to high levels of heat, it can trigger an inflammatory response. This inflammation can cause symptoms like headache, fatigue, muscle aches, and nausea.

If this happens often, it can weaken the immune system over time.

To reduce your risk of experiencing these symptoms, make sure to drink plenty of fluids and eat a healthy diet. Avoid foods that are high in sugar and processed carbs, which can weaken the immune system.

Physiological Reactions

Other potential reasons why people might feel worse after an infrared sauna include changes in blood pressure (whether high or low blood pressure) and heart rate, exposure to harmful toxins, etc. These happen because your body is working hard to eliminate the toxins that have been released.

To reduce these risks, drink plenty of fluids before your session and make sure you are healthy enough to handle high temperatures without feeling sick.

Age

Older adults may feel worse after infrared sauna exposure because their bodies do not sweat as much as young people.

This is because the skin’s ability to sweat decreases with age, so older adults are less able to release toxins through sweating.

If you are an older adult and you find that you’re feeling sick after infrared saunas, stay hydrated of fluids before, during, and after your session.

Try to avoid exercising in high temperatures if you are not used to it.

Weight

People who are obese or overweight may feel worse after infrared sauna exposure.

This is because the extra fat tissue can retain more heat, making it harder for the body to cool down.

If you have weight problems, try to avoid infrared saunas when the temperature outside is very hot or cold. Instead, wait for a day when the weather is more moderate.

Sauna use can also lead to an increase in heart rate and blood circulation. If you have any medical conditions that affect your heart or blood vessels, talk to your doctor before using an infrared sauna.

Toxins Released By Bacteria

Another potential reason why people might feel sick after infrared sauna therapy is exposure to harmful toxins released by bacteria.

This is why people often feel sick after eating at restaurants and feel better when they eat their own food cooked at home.

Some sauna heaters use a carbon filter to remove toxins, but this can lead to other problems such as dehydration or exposure to harmful chemicals in the infrared light spectrum used in said filters.

Cellular Activity

The cause of the fatigue may be due to the release of toxins from your cells. When these toxins are released, they can cause you to feel tired and sick.

Try to eat a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables to give your body the nutrients it needs to repair cells. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can worsen fatigue.

Duration Of Exposure

The length of time you spend in an infrared sauna may also affect how you feel afterward.

If you stay in the sauna for too long, the heat can overload your system and cause unwanted symptoms.

To avoid this, try not to stay in the sauna for more than 20 minutes.

If you feel sick after infrared sauna therapy, try to drink plenty of fluids and eat a healthy diet before your next session. Your immunity depends on it!

Weakened Liver Function

Weakness of the liver function may be another reason why someone feels worse after an infrared sauna session.

The liver helps regulate body temperature by removing excess fluid from tissues and releasing it through sweat glands during exercise.

If your liver isn’t functioning well, you’ll have more difficulty regulating your body temperature after exercising with any type of heated therapy device. It’s important for healthy adults who regularly use these devices

General Health Condition

If you have been feeling sick for a few days and then go to an infrared sauna, it’s likely that the two are connected.

If you feel worse after using this type of therapy device, make sure to maintain your water intake.

Make healthy lifestyle choices like avoiding processed foods or eating at restaurants often. Avoid exercising if the weather is very hot or cold outside so as not to trigger inflammation from excessive heat exposure.

To reduce your risk of experiencing these symptoms in the future, try some natural remedies such as ginger tea. Also you can apply sauna essential oils diluted with water (not alcohol), which can help improve liver function while reducing feelings of nausea caused by toxin release.”

Recovery Period

If you feel worse after infrared sauna therapy, it’s likely because your body needs more time to recover and heal itself.

If this happens, don’t feel discouraged and keep using the infrared sauna anyway. Just be sure to drink plenty of fluids and electrolytes for optimal hydration in order to stay healthy.

In order to avoid feeling sick after an infrared sauna, it is important to eat light meals beforehand and take breaks if needed.

Medical Conditions

You may feel worse after infrared sauna therapy if you have certain health conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure.

Having a health condition that affects your circulatory system requires you to consult with your physician before using any form of treatment.

Pregnancy

Heat therapy can raise the body’s core temperature and cause problems for the developing fetus. Although there were studies contradicting this claim, it is still best to seek the advice of health professionals before undergoing any type of treatment.

Your Body Is Not Used To Infrared Sauna Yet

The most frequent issue is that the muscles tear during the first infrared sauna session. You don’t have the physique for it.

Think of it this way. You won’t get an A+ on your first day of school. How do we deal with marathon training after doing marathons and how can it help us conquer our anxieties? Is it true that people are riding bicycles at high elevations?

Your muscles were puffy, and your joints and heart were exposed to too much stress. You felt exhausted, ecstatic. You’re entering something you’ve never attempted before. It’s also true for infrared saunas in general.

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How Long Does It Take For One Person To Feel Better?

The length of time depends on how many times he or she has been feeling worse or sick after infrared sauna use, but usually within a week.

The most serious cases may need three weeks before the body feels better again.

How Infrared Sauna Therapy Can Benefit You In The Long Run Despite These Short-Term Side Effects

The short-term side effects that some may experience can easily outweigh the long-term health benefits of sauna use to the human body.

It has been proven that using an infrared sauna can help improve your overall health. Infrared sauna users or even those who bathe in a traditional sauna can reap these health benefits:

• Improved cardiovascular health
• Detoxification of the body’s organs, including the liver
• Reduced inflammation throughout the body
• Better sleep quality
• Reduced stress levels
• Improved joint function
• increased blood circulation

Things To Consider Before Undergoing Infrared Sauna Treatment

• Whether your condition is chronic or acute
• If the sauna will aggravate any medical conditions that you may have
• Whether your body is in the right condition
• Heat tolerance
• Your doctors’ recommendations

Tips For Feeling Better After An Infrared Sauna

As mentioned, the best way to reduce your risk of feeling sick after an infrared sauna experience is to eat a healthy diet and stay hydrated.

Try to avoid exposing yourself to extreme temperatures, and if you experience any symptoms, consult your doctor.

Prior to your sauna session, take some simple steps that will help you maintain an adequate weight. If it feels like your dehydration has occurred, drink more water and lie down until your condition improves.

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Conclusion

There are several reasons why people, especially inexperienced sauna users, may feel worse after exposure to heat therapy.

Dehydration, heat exhaustion, sensitivity to extreme temperatures, age, immune system response, and general health conditions are all possible causes.

If you are feeling sick after a typical sauna session, it is best to consult with your doctor to determine the root cause of the problem. There may be something wrong with your health that requires treatment.

In the meantime, drink water, eat a healthy diet, and always listen to your body. These simple steps can help reduce your risk of feeling sick after an infrared sauna session!

 

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