Russian bath influence. The health-improving effect of the Russian bath on the body

Bath is not only a pleasant option for family or friendly recreation, but also an effective means of preventing and treating many diseases.

Bath procedures have a mild beneficial effect on all systems and organs in the human body.

A regular visit to the steam room leads to a general hardening and rejuvenation of the body, and improves the quality of life.

Positive properties of bath procedures

How is a bath useful for a modern person? The beneficial properties of the bath are determined by its effective influence on the human body and psyche.

• Regular stay in the steam room contributes to the rapid elimination of toxins and slag deposits. High temperature provides maximum cleansing of skin pores, removal of grease and sweat from the skin surface.
• Hot air accelerates blood circulation in blood vessels, thereby improving oxygen supply to cells.
• The temperature conditions that are observed in the bath contribute to the cleansing of the kidneys and urinary system. In combination with accelerated blood circulation, this leads to detoxification of the body.
• Bath procedures are useful for. The correct ratio of heating temperature and air humidity level ensures good disinfection of the body.

Generally beneficial features baths have a powerful health-improving and prophylactic effect in the fight against colds, diseases of the nervous, excretory and cardiac systems.

Rules for conducting wellness procedures

To get the most out of thermal treatments, people are required to follow simple rules for staying in the steam room.

• It is recommended to take a warm shower and dry your body before your first visit. Put a bath cap on your head or wrap it with a towel.
• The duration of the first session in the steam room is 5-7 minutes. Then you need to take a short break in the rest room. The second run can last up to 15 minutes.
• In between visits to the steam room, it is important to take a sufficient amount of liquid - not carbonated water, warm tea, herbal decoction, fruit drink or kvass.
• Bathing procedures are performed in the supine position. With a horizontal position of the body, the heat is evenly distributed in the room and correctly affects the human body. Procedures should start from the bottom shelf, slowly moving to the upper loungers.
• After completing the procedures in the steam room, it is recommended to cool the body in the hot tub, pool or under a cool shower. After the final entry into the steam room, you can thoroughly wash the body from sweat using care products and a washcloth.

Effects on the cardiovascular system

The health benefits of the bath are determined by the effective impact of the procedures on various systems of the human body.

The correct alternation of temperatures helps to stimulate the heart system, strengthen the heart muscle, increase the elasticity of blood vessels and prevent heart attacks. The rate of contraction of the heart increases to 155 beats per minute, which leads to significant heating of the body and increased sweating.

A visit to the steam room helps to stabilize blood pressure. To enhance the effect, it is recommended to carry out contrasting thermal procedures - alternating a steam room, a cold shower or a pool. Such procedures help to improve blood circulation and reduce the vegetative-vascular imbalance in the body.

Effects on the nervous system

How is the bath useful for the human nervous system? The special microclimate maintained in the steam room has a powerful beneficial effect on the human nervous system. High temperature dilates blood vessels, improves blood supply and nutrition to the brain, and leads to relaxation and tranquility of the whole body.

Bath procedures are indicated for nervous excitability, exhaustion, insomnia, myopathies, neuroses, vegetative dystonia, cerebral palsy, muscle hypertonia.

To prevent the development of inflammatory processes, it is recommended to visit the bathhouse 12 months after the end of the period of exacerbation of the disease.

Many representatives of the female and male sex, in an effort to get a beautiful and fit body, are actively involved in sports. Therefore, the best way to reduce nervous tension and muscle fatigue is to perform bath procedures.

In this case, the benefits of the bath for the body are obvious. The high temperature regime promotes increased sweating and improved biochemical processes in muscle fibers. Muscles are cleansed of toxins, as a result of which fatigue and tension go away. The correct combination of bath procedures and quality sleep after strenuous workouts has a positive effect on the male and female body.

Respiratory effects

Thermal treatments improve the functioning of the respiratory system, which leads to the enrichment of blood with oxygen, as well as the correct production of hormones. It is recommended to carry out the procedures in the stage of remission and in the absence of any purulent formations. The steam room provides positive impact:

• With sinusitis, bronchitis, nasopharyngitis, laryngitis, asthma and allergies;
• During the recovery period after the treatment of internal inflammation;
• For colds.

The bath promotes rapid muscle relaxation, expansion of the bronchi, and strengthening of the lungs. The procedures reduce swelling of the nasopharyngeal mucosa. In case of chronic respiratory diseases and the absence of contraindications in the anamnesis, it is recommended to carry out thermal health procedures in the bath.

Effects on the skin

The positive effect of the bath on the human body begins with the skin. For dry and aging skin, an oriental hammam is recommended, for normal and oily skin - a Finnish sauna or a Russian steam room.

Thermal procedures in the bath perfectly cleanse, heal and rejuvenate the skin. The steam room helps to cleanse the skin pores from toxins, dirt, toxins, dead cells and waste products of harmful bacteria.

In addition, the bath is an effective means of preventing and treating many skin diseases. A regular visit to the steam room helps to normalize the activity of the endocrine glands, as well as to safely reduce excess weight.

What is the use for men and women

Taking into account the anatomical and psychological characteristics of women and men, the effect of thermal procedures on them will be different.

Bath benefits for women is determined by the effective influence of the temperature regime, which contributes to increased sweating, opening of skin pores, and removal of slag deposits. The optimal combination of temperature and humidity in the steam room has a complex beneficial effect on the female body. Good blood flow provides cellular nutrition, rapid wound healing and tissue repair due to minor damage.

Regular bathing procedures increase the strength and elasticity of the ligaments, reduce the likelihood of venous clogging of the veins, and the manifestation of headaches. In many cases, there is a significant strengthening of the immune system, an improvement in metabolism in overweight women and cellulite.

The benefits of the bath for men who have chronic diseases the genitourinary system is simply undeniable. The steam room helps to strengthen the immune system, improve blood circulation in the pelvis, and eliminate urological infections. Among other things, thermal bath procedures reduce the likelihood of atherosclerosis, stroke and myocardial infarction in men. The bath definitely bears more benefit than harm.

It is also recommended to carefully read the contraindications in relation to the list of diseases for which it is prohibited to carry out bath procedures. If any pathology is detected, it is recommended to get a preliminary consultation with a doctor to make sure whether the bath will be useful for the body in a particular case.

The bathhouse is not a nanny, but at least someone will please

Even in ancient times, people noticed that the bath has a healing effect on all body systems. Vaping has been used to treat all kinds of diseases, from serious cardiovascular diseases to mild colds.

In all cases, the bath contributed to a speedy recovery with the correct approach to steaming and adherence to the temperature regime, which may differ for different patients. If the bath is used to treat any disease, you must first consult a doctor. Although it is best to take bath procedures directly under the supervision of a doctor in order to avoid unwanted consequences.

• The cardiovascular system

In a steam bath, the human cardiovascular system undergoes significant changes. For example, the heart rate increases more than 2 times compared to the state before visiting the bath, the blood circulation in the body changes.
The heart rate rises even more when steaming with a broom and drops sharply when doused with cold water. Bath procedures contribute to the restructuring of the circulatory system, especially for those who visit the steam bath for the first time. With repeated visits to the Russian bath, steam has a training effect on the entire cardiovascular system.

• Respiratory system

The warm air in the steam room irritates the receptors of the upper respiratory tract, while improving the activity of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. Both the respiratory rate and the vital capacity of the lungs increase.

The bath has not only a preventive, but also a therapeutic effect on the respiratory system. The bath has bronchodilator properties, breathing becomes frequent and deep, the respiratory muscles relax.

The hot air is excellent for a runny nose, reduces swelling of the mucous membrane and nasal discharge. A visit to a Russian bath is a great way to prevent flu and other respiratory diseases. Steaming strengthens the immune system and has a positive effect on the condition of people with chronic diseases of the upper respiratory tract. After visiting a Russian steam bath, hoarseness, coughing, and noises in the lungs decrease or disappear altogether.

• Nervous system

The bath has a very strong effect on the human nervous system. Emotional activity in the bath decreases due to a decrease in blood flow in the brain. At the same time, mental and muscle tension decreases.

After visiting the bath, many notice an improvement in the general mental state, anxiety disappears, a feeling of mental comfort arises, and headaches disappear.

However, the beneficial properties of the bath are manifested only if the rules and recommendations of the attending physician are followed. So, do not stay in the steam room for too long, otherwise the whole positive effect of the bath will turn into negative. Everything is good in moderation.

Although a visit to a bath is quite stressful for the body, most people still tolerate a steam bath well.

• Musculoskeletal system

The steam bath has a positive effect on the health of joints, muscles and bones thanks to the warmth. It is recommended to visit the steam room for people suffering from arthritis, rheumatism, gout, arthrosis.

However, before going to the bath, it is imperative to consult with your doctor, because in some cases the bath can have a negative effect on the body. For example, it is considered extremely undesirable to visit the bathhouse for fractures. large joints and bones. However, for rehabilitation, the bath is perfect for them, since in the steam room the muscle tension decreases, the swelling disappears. At the same time, the psychological state also improves, peace is restored, and unpleasant memories of the trauma disappear.

• Kidneys and urinary system

First of all, the bath affects the skin, and then the beneficial effect of the steam bath spreads throughout the body.
In a bath of excretion, sodium excretion in the urine is reduced. After just 15 minutes in the bath, the kidneys almost do not excrete urine, and this effect lasts up to 6 hours. At the same time, blood flow to the kidneys decreases.

• Internal environment and endocrine system

In the bath, the number of leukocytes, erythrocytes increases, the ability of blood to coagulate increases. Since a lot of fluid leaves the body in the steam room, the concentration of salts in the body increases.

The activity of the thyroid gland also changes. The steam bath is a strong anabolic: under its influence, protein synthesis increases, the oxidation process in tissues improves.

The internal environment of the body under the influence of the bath changes insignificantly and for a short period of time.

• Digestive system

Baths are often used to treat various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Steaming strengthens the immune system, regulates the activity of the internal organs of the body. For the treatment of diseases of the digestive system, the bath is used in combination with other procedures. It should be borne in mind that the organs of the digestive system function as a whole and are connected with other systems of the body.

• Leather

When you visit a bath, sweating increases significantly. However, you shouldn't drink a lot of fluids before the steam room to sweat more, as this puts additional stress on the kidneys.

During perspiration, substances move from the tissues into the blood, in addition, the swelling disappears or decreases. Together with sweat, many substances leave the body: some mineral salts, a large amount of copper, uric and lactic acids, etc.

The bath affects the skin first of all. Under the influence of heat in the steam room, the cells of the epidermis are regenerated, metabolic and immune functions are improved. As a result, all skin functions are normalized.

Under the influence of bath procedures, itching of the skin disappears, therefore, a visit to the bath is recommended for people suffering from various skin diseases. Thanks to the steam room, the activity of the skin appendages improves.

With its cosmetic effect, the bath improves the trophism of the skin and its appendages, while the bath is suitable even for allergy sufferers. The bath helps to improve the condition of people with various allergies. In addition, the bath has a beneficial effect on water-salt metabolism, pigmentation, the formation of tissue hormones, enzymes and vitamins. The steam bath improves the condition of the hair and scalp.

Moreover, the bath is actively used to remove bacteria, dead particles and skin secretions from the skin of the face. At the same time, the condition of all layers of the skin is normalized, its physiological properties are improved. The steam room is used to regulate the functions of the sebaceous glands. The steam removes oil, impurities and sweat from the skin. In addition, the first small wrinkles are smoothed in the sauna, the skin becomes healthy, firm, elastic and pleasant in color.

• Gynecology and Obstetrics

Studies have shown that if all the rules for visiting the bathhouse are observed during pregnancy, childbirth is much easier and faster. Moreover, pain during childbirth occurs much less frequently. It was noted that in the steam room, almost all breastfeeding mothers have an increase in the amount of milk.

If during pregnancy a woman attended a bath, then this significantly reduced the number of thrombosis and their complications. In addition, the bath has a beneficial effect on varicose eyelids, headaches, increased fatigue and gastrointestinal disorders.

With regular visits to the bath, the risk of infectious diseases is significantly reduced. Moreover, if a pregnant woman is still ill, viral diseases are easier for her. With the correct use of the bath, various skin diseases that arise during pregnancy disappear.

In the Russian bath, blood circulation in the skin increases, therefore the bath is successfully used to treat many gynecological diseases, especially chronic ones.

But do not forget about the preliminary consultation with a doctor before visiting the bath.

• Pediatrics

The bath is used for the prevention and treatment of many diseases of children. However, for children, the conditions in the steam bath should be more gentle, you cannot leave the child alone, you must constantly monitor his condition. Children can visit the bathhouse from early childhood, but not very often. The child should be in the bath for a short period of time.

Sometimes the bath is prescribed for children suffering from diseases of the respiratory tract, musculoskeletal system and skin diseases.
However, before you take your child to the bathhouse, it is imperative to consult a pediatrician to avoid trouble.

• Hardening and disease prevention

By visiting the bath, the body is not only healthier, renewed, but also hardened. With a regular visit to the bath, most people adapt to climatic and psychological conditions much faster and easier.
A constant visit to the Russian bath leads to the strengthening of the cardiovascular system. As a rule, the bath is of a training nature. The bath is mandatory for people engaged in physical labor, athletes, as it relaxes the muscles after a lot of physical exertion, tones them up and relieves pain after exercise. In addition, the bath helps to improve the tone of the psyche, relieves fatigue.

After visiting the bath, appetite improves, mood rises, sleep normalizes. It is usually recommended to visit the bathhouse in the evening, as it relaxes and promotes healthy sleep. When visiting the bathhouse during the day, you should keep in mind that after the bath it is advisable to sleep or just lie down for about 2-3 hours.

It should be noted that some athletes, for example, boxers, should not visit the bathhouse for at least a day after a competition or training session, because they may have internal hemorrhages, which in the bathhouse can pose a threat to life. It is not recommended to visit the bathhouse after physical exertion with profuse sweating.

A visit to the steam bath is recommended for people with a sedentary, sedentary lifestyle. In the bath, under the influence of heat and steam, the musculoskeletal system is activated, the number of heart contractions increases. The bath is also useful for those who have decided to quit smoking. It soothes, improves mental health and promotes an optimistic mood.

The bath is perfect for the prevention of all kinds of colds, cardiovascular diseases and obesity. The bath is used to prevent mental disorders such as neurosis and psychoneurosis, as vaping relieves stress and helps in achieving peace of mind. But, as has been mentioned more than once, you must first get a doctor's advice.

It is best to visit the bathhouse one and a half to two hours after eating, and the food should not be heavy. It is also better not to go to the bath on an empty stomach. In addition, in no case should you drink alcohol both before visiting the bathhouse, and in the steam room and after it. Smoking is also unacceptable, so as not to create a strong burden on the body, in particular on the heart.

So, the bath helps to strengthen the body and improve mood, but only if all the rules and recommendations of the doctor are followed !!!

Heart, blood vessels and muscles

When a person is in a steam room, the activity of the cardiovascular system changes significantly: the heart rate rises and reaches 100–160 beats per minute (increases by 60–70% in comparison with the usual state).

The circulation of blood in all organs under the influence of high bath temperatures increases, in the steam room there is a rapid redistribution of blood in various organs, cardiac output increases by 1.5-1.7 times. The skin blood circulation changes especially sharply - both in the steam room and in the pool. When sweating in the steam room, the skin vessels dilate greatly.

Especially significant changes in the work of the heart and the nature of blood flow occur when a person is in the steam room on the upper shelf. A broom massage (whipping with a broom) further increases your heart rate, so self-control at this stage is critical.

As during immersion in the pool, and when dousing with cold water, the heart rate drops sharply - up to 30–35 beats per minute.

Of course, the most significant changes in the functioning of the circulatory system and the functioning of the heart are observed in people who first appear on the bath shelf. When a person begins to visit the bathhouse (sauna) regularly, his body constantly trains and adapts to contrasting bath procedures.

The body copes with overheating in the steam room in the same way as with physical work: the capillaries expand and the blood rushes from the center to the periphery - to the muscles and skin. According to some reports, when visiting a steam room, the minute volume of the heart increases by about 150%. The maximum heart rate in the steam room is 125 beats per minute. At the same time, various factors influence an increase in the heart rate, for example, the temperature in the steam room, air humidity, body position.

When you leave the steam room, your heart rate begins to drop rapidly. However, it should be remembered: the maximum load on the cardiovascular system is exerted by the contrasting effect of cold after a steam room: immersion in the snow, a cold pool, dousing with ice water. Therefore, people with circulatory disorders should beware of sharp cooling after steam procedures.

If a person had abnormalities in the activity of the cardiovascular system or he felt any signs of their appearance (any unpleasant sensations in the area of ​​the heart - burning, feeling of pressure, tightness behind the breastbone, pain, sudden fading and "failures"), he needs to leave bath and in the future to consult with a therapist (best of all - in a physical dispensary).

The steam room serves as an active stimulus that contributes to the maximum restoration of muscle performance. At the same time, the efficiency of the muscles increases especially effectively after massage and self-massage, after a session of steam procedures.

Sports physicians working with athletes specializing in various sports have made sure that the functional characteristics of the neuromuscular apparatus increased after the bath. But not in all cases the bath gives the desired effect: after a bath with high humidity in the steam room (80-100%) and an elevated temperature of 60–70 oC in the first hours, a decrease in muscle strength was observed, fatigue, weakness appeared, mood worsened, and working capacity decreased. She recovered only after 10-15 hours of rest.

It was also found that performance and well-being improved if the following conditions were met: the steam room should be dry heat (temperature 90-120 oC, humidity 10-25%), athletes should visit the steam room 10-12 minutes after training, taking two entry for 4-5 minutes each, and the break between entries - 5-10 minutes. The position on the shelf in the steam room is horizontal. Under these conditions, the muscle strength, for example, of the hands, increased by 1 kg 200 g after 1–2 hours.

Airway and lungs

As established by doctors, the most important environmental conditions in a Russian steam bath are high temperature, humidity, mechanical and temporary factors, and even gravity. In this case, the thermoreceptors of the skin are irritated, as well as the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. It should be noted that temperature irritation in a bath or sauna affects directly the receptors of the upper respiratory tract. At the same time, the quality of the impact directly depends on the microclimate created in the steam room. Not the least role is played by the physical condition and well-being of the soaring person, as well as his psychological attitude. You should never drag a person into the steam room against his will (even if it is motivated by his own good): there will be much more harm than good.

A visit to a Russian steam bath, as mentioned, is stressful. And the quality of this stress will depend on the behavior of the person himself and on the behavior of those around him: will it become a powerful positive, and therefore a healing factor, or will it cause psychological trauma and then the bath will be harmful.

Inhalation of air saturated with water vapor promotes the exchange of alveolar air, improves the activity of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, because moisture from water vapor condenses there (and with proper and “tasty” steam prepared, healing vapors of herbs and substances).

Under the influence of the bath, gas exchange is activated and changed: the consumption of oxygen and the release of carbon dioxide increase. More precisely, carbon dioxide is actively excreted from the body and into large quantities oxygen is required. That is why it is very useful to sit after the steam room in a well-ventilated area, or better outdoors.

The respiratory rate during the stay in the steam room increases to 20 breaths per minute, the vital capacity of the lungs increases significantly (sometimes up to 20%), and, of course, their ventilation is significantly improved.

- after the second or third visit to the steam room, plunge into the pool, do several dives, soothing your breath;

- draw air into your lungs, immerse yourself in water, exhale as long as possible, counting to yourself ("one-two-three-four-five" and longer - as far as your physiological capabilities allow);

- hold your breath for such a time so as not to experience any special difficulties;

- ascend, calmly take in air and again plunge under the water, making a slow exhalation and counting.

No need to force yourself and strive to set records, especially at first. Choose the ratio of inhalation - exhalation that is most pleasing to your body. The main thing is that the inhalation is as short as possible, the exhalation is as long as possible, and the holding of the breath does not cause inconvenience, anxiety, and even more so, does not cause spasms.

And in general, remember that in breathing exercises the main result is a feeling of comfort and a desire to continue exercises. This is called “positive stressor orientation” and in this case stress is used as a healing tool.

Another important beneficial stress factor is the inhalation of hot air from the steam room, followed by the adaptation of the respiratory system to this factor and a change in blood circulation. It is the inclusion of this adaptation mechanism that protects the body from an excessive increase in internal body temperature and disturbances in homeostasis.

Under the influence of increased local heating of the body in the steam room (doctors call it local hyperthermia), metabolic processes in the mucous and submucous structures are accelerated, and in turn this causes the activation of heat and gas metabolism and leads to an increase in heat transfer to the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. It is these physiological processes that determine the therapeutic effect of the bath on the human body.

The warm atmosphere of the steam room promotes relaxation (relaxation) of external respiratory organs, increases the mobility of the segments of the spine and costal-vertebral joints, relaxes the ligamentous structures, tense respiratory muscles, expands the bronchi.

As a result of the action of these factors, breathing becomes frequent and deep.

The hot air saturated with humid steam, acting on the nasal mucosa, reduces swelling in respiratory diseases and helps to fight the consequences of allergic reactions.

In general, the bathhouse, as we have already mentioned, is an excellent prophylactic complex for training the immune system. Moreover, at present, the so-called "diseases of civilization" are widespread, associated with a sedentary lifestyle, overeating, incredible crowding of people, exposure to unfavorable environmental factors, etc. All this leads to a weakening of immunity, slagging of organs and tissues, nervous and physiological disorders, decreased performance, degenerative diseases and much more.

Correct use of bath procedures in combination with massage and aromatherapy helps to normalize vegetative reactions, restore disturbed biorhythms, and eliminate toxins, toxins and radionuclides from the body.

The thermal (hyperthermic) effect of bath procedures in combination with contrasting temperature effects has a positive effect on the immune processes and facilitates the course of chronic inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract, which are often difficult to respond to conventional therapy.

With the correct use of the bath, relapses of chronic respiratory diseases, including those of an infectious nature, occur less often. Bath procedures reduce the increased tone of the respiratory muscles, increase the elasticity of tissue structures chest(ligaments, muscles), increase the mobility of the spine and ribs.

And this, in turn, leads to a slowdown in breathing and an increase in ventilation, while simultaneously "saving energy" - a decrease in the work of the muscles during breathing. Bath procedures can be successfully used in the treatment of chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma.

The positive effect of the bath has been proven in such painful syndromes as coughing, noises and wheezing in the lungs. After the bath, the mobility of the chest is guaranteed to increase, patients cough less often and noises and wheezing in the lungs decrease or disappear altogether.

In the case of respiratory diseases, bath procedures are indicated for:

- allergic reactions;

- chronic sinusitis;

- bronchossinusitis;

- nasopharyngitis;

- laryngitis;

- the initial stages of hypertrophic or atrophic inflammation of the upper respiratory tract;

- chronic obstructive bronchitis;

- bronchial asthma;

- conditions after pneumonia;

- pneumoconiosis;

- chronic specific lesions of the lungs and upper respiratory tract without signs of process activity.

Bath procedures are contraindicated for:

- acute viral diseases of the respiratory tract;

- acute specific and nonspecific inflammation of the respiratory tract;

- bronchiectasis;

- chronic decompensated respiratory diseases with heart overload;

- malignant tumors and metastases;

- open form of tuberculosis.

Along with a set of contrasting temperatures, the hardening and treatment-and-prophylactic factor of the Russian steam bath is the use of bath cocktails or medicinal compositions for the preparation of therapeutic steam.

For this, compositions of medicinal plants, which allow not only enriching the atmosphere of the steam room with pleasant aromas, but also contribute to the destruction of pathological microorganisms on the skin, the introduction into the body (through the skin, upper respiratory tract) of such substances that would have a therapeutic and prophylactic effect on human health.

For example, plants such as juniper, yarrow, common sage, eucalyptus, mint, thyme, chamomile, calendula, birch, black poplar, etc. have bactericidal, disinfecting and antiseptic properties.

Infusions from these plants should be used before all others in order to disinfect the steam room and the skin of those who will be steaming. The healing vapors of these plants kill almost all known microbes both on the body surface of vapers and in the upper respiratory tract. At the same time, the disinfecting effect remains long enough even after the termination of the bath procedures.

So, recipes for bactericidal and disinfectant compositions:

1. Juniper berries, yarrow herb, sage leaves, eucalyptus leaves, chamomile flowers, calendula, drooping birch buds and black poplar in equal proportions, mix. Select 2 tbsp. spoons, which pour 1 glass of boiling water and boil in a water bath for 5-7 minutes, then leave for 45 minutes, discard the thickened through a sieve, and use the broth to pour on the stones of the steam room. In this case, dilute the broth: 1/2 cup 3 liters of water.

2. Mix the mint herb, juniper and thyme leaves, chamomile flowers, birch leaves, black poplar buds, eucalyptus leaves, black currants, oregano herb in equal proportions. 3 tbsp. pour spoons of the mixture with 1, 5 cups of boiling water and boil in a water bath for 7 minutes, leave for 30 minutes, strain and drain into a glass dish under a tight seal. In the steam room, an amount equal to 3/4 cup diluted in 3 liters of water is used for giving to stones.

1. Make a dry mixture: 1 part yellow melilot, 2 parts of common thyme herb, 2 parts of fennel fruits, 2 parts of peppermint leaves, 3 parts of plantain leaves, 3 parts of marshmallow root, 3 parts of licorice root, 4 parts of mother-and- stepmother. 2 tbsp. pour spoons of the mixture with 1.5 cups of boiling water, heat in a water bath for 15 minutes, leave for 20 minutes, drain, dilute the cocktail with 1 liter of water.

2. Mix 2 parts of coltsfoot leaves, 4 parts of plantain leaves, 3 parts of horsetail herb, 3 parts of primrose flowers. 1 tbsp. pour a spoonful of the mixture with 1 cup boiling water, boil in a water bath for 15 minutes, leave for 20 minutes, strain and dilute the cocktail in 1 liter of water.

Nervous system

The Russian steam bath influences, of course, the entire body, but first of all - the nervous system and neurohumoral function. The nervous system reacts to sauna stress immediately and briefly.

An increase in blood flow in peripheral organs while in a steam room leads to a decrease in blood flow in the brain. As a result of this decrease, a certain decrease in brain activity is subsequently manifested in some visitors to the bath. And with further stay in the bath, mental retardation is also observed.

Nevertheless, these changes should not be regarded as negative. The fact is that a decrease in mental stress is accompanied by a decrease in muscle tension, which, in combination with each other, is important for general relaxation and rehabilitation.

Two-thirds of the bath visitors come here for this very reason. With neurotic syndromes and internal anxiety, it is considered very useful to devote a couple of hours to bathing procedures and relaxation. Most of her fans associate staying in the bathhouse with relaxation, relieving fatigue and getting rid of negative emotions.

After the bath, headaches are less likely to recur or disappear altogether, a surge of vivacity is felt even on the second day, and the fact that the bath has a noticeable, as doctors say, "euphorizing effect" on most visitors is a well-known fact.

The bath procedure has a complex of positive effects on the skin, including - irritates the endings of the autonomic nervous system in the skin, which affects the formation of direct human emotions and makes it possible to reverse the effect on emotions when the temperature of the skin changes.

However, it should be remembered that with the wrong mode of bathing procedures (too long stay in the steam room), vegetative disorders may occur, headache, dizziness and nausea, anxiety, sleep disturbances and other unwanted changes.

The high temperature of the steam room causes an increase in the blood of such powerful agents as adrenaline and norepinephrine, which also does not pass without a trace, especially for people with poor health.

Changes in the activity of the autonomic nervous system under the influence of bath procedures are reflected, first of all, on the work of the cardiovascular system (heartbeat, blood pressure) and the activity of organs with autonomic innervation, for example, the gastrointestinal tract. Sleep, appetite and cold tolerance are improved. The work of the sympathetic nervous system is normalized.

With regard to the use of broom massage techniques for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the nervous system, it seems reasonable to recommend almost all techniques: warming up (sweeping), pumping ("foaming the heat"), stroking, steaming, patting and tapping, it is better to give preference to more gentle ones. In this case, it is very important not to rush to switch from one method to another, giving the body the opportunity to get used to the effects. In case of increased nervous excitability, it is recommended to exclude too intense impact (very strong and biting blows, prolonged quilting), as well as the use of brooms made of "extreme materials", such as fir, spruce, nettle.

Do not expose people with diseases of the nervous system to the effects of strong warming ointments based on bee and snake venoms, as well as use strong warming rubbing such as mustard.

Bath procedures are indicated for the following diseases of the nervous system:

- mild paralysis after the acute stage of poliomyelitis;

- inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system 12 months after the acute period;

- dystrophic myopathies and myotonia;

- infantile cerebral palsy;

- children's enuresis;

- muscle hypertonicity;

- neuroses;

- vegetative and neurocirculatory dystonia;

- sleep disorders.

The bath is contraindicated for:

- epilepsy and epileptic seizures;

- syringomyelia;

- myasthenia gravis;

- vascular myelopathy;

- central paralysis of vascular etiology;

- extrapyramidal diseases with motor disorders;

- Parkinson's disease;

- acute inflammatory diseases of the central, peripheral and vegetative parts of the nervous system;

- severe neuro-vegetative disorders;

- migraines.

To enhance the effect of bath procedures, special bath cocktails are used to stimulate the nervous system.

The composition of such preparations includes Mordovia vulgaris, ginseng root, Manchurian aralia, Eleutherococcus prickly, Zamaniha, Chinese magnolia vine, Safflower leuzea, camphor cinnamon, wormwood, Chernobyl, Rhodiola rosea, etc.

Recipes for neurostimulating broths:

1. In equal proportions, take: wormwood herb, Manchurian aralia root, safflower leuzea root, Schisandra chinensis fruits, common mordovia fruits. Mix everything, 1 tbsp. pour a spoonful of the mixture with a glass of boiling water and boil in a water bath for 5 minutes, then insist the resulting broth for 15–20 minutes and strain. Dilute such a cocktail in 2 liters of water, and put the resulting composition on the stones.

2. In equal amounts by weight, take the root of valerian officinalis, peony evading (popularly known as Mary's root), oregano herb, five-lobed motherwort, hop flowers. Pour the resulting mixture with a glass of boiling water, boil in a water bath for 10 minutes and insist under a lid for 30 minutes. Then strain the broth and dilute in 1/2 glass of water. This cocktail lends itself to stones in the steam room.

Disorders of the central and autonomic nervous system are observed in cardiovascular neuroses and are expressed in increased nervous excitability, rapid fatigue, insomnia, increased heart rate, interruptions in the activity of the heart, pain in the heart, shortness of breath, headaches, etc.

For heart disease with concomitant insomnia, the following cocktail should be used:

Mix: 1 part chamomile flowers, 1 part lily of the valley flowers, 2 parts fennel fruit, 3 parts peppermint leaves, 4 parts valerian root. 2 tbsp. pour spoons of the mixture with 1 glass of boiling water and boil everything in a water bath for 5-7 minutes, insist the resulting broth for 20 minutes, strain, dissolve in 1 liter of water and put on the stones.

The following cocktail is used to relieve tension and improve sleep:

Mix 1.5 parts of valerian root, 3 parts of peppermint, 3 parts of motherwort herb, pour 1 glass of boiling water, boil for 10 minutes in a water bath and leave for 30 minutes. Dilute half a glass of the resulting composition in 1 liter of water, and put this solution on the stones.

To normalize the functions of the autonomic nervous system and reduce the excitability of the central nervous system, the following decoctions are recommended:

1. Mix 2 parts peppermint, 1 part valerian root, 2 parts trefoil watch leaves, 1 part hop cones. 1 tbsp. pour a spoonful of the mixture with a glass of boiling water and boil in a water bath for 10 minutes; defend, strain and mix with 1 liter of water. Submit on stones.

2. Mix 3 parts peppermint leaves, 4 parts valerian root, 1 part lily of the valley flowers, 2 parts fennel fruit. 1 tbsp. pour a spoonful of the mixture with 1 glass of boiling water, boil in a water bath for 10 minutes, leave for 30 minutes, strain, mix the broth with 1 liter of water and put on hot stones.

Musculoskeletal system

The main factors affecting the body in the bath are heat and humidity. It is these factors that are included in the arsenal of powerful tools for combating diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Of course, the main thing is heat, but it should be remembered that the transfer of heat to the body depends on the position of the body - sitting, standing or lying down. If the position of the body is vertical, then the heat transfer to the legs will be less than to the head, because the temperature in the steam room is distributed unevenly: lower at the bottom, higher at the top. Accordingly, the head in an upright position will heat up more, and the legs - less.

Since air is a good heat insulator (taking into account its humidity, of course), the speed and direction of its movement along the body will play a big role. A kind of protective air shell is formed on its surface, which experienced bathers "rule" with the help of a broom massage.

In addition, the thickness of the patient's subcutaneous fat, the roughness of the skin, as well as the state of blood supply, microtrauma of the skin, fibrosis of the joints, venous and lymphostasis, the effect of certain deformities and disturbances in the range of motion in the joints are of great importance.

Studies have shown that the body accumulates most of the heat during the first phase of being in the steam room. Therefore, 5-10 minutes of staying in the steam room is enough to achieve a positive effect in the treatment of certain diseases, for example, in inflammatory diseases of the joints and arthrosis.

With further stay in the steam room, the skin continues to heat up more and more, and, despite the fact that the surface of the skin cools due to the evaporation of liquid (sweat and condensation), the heat goes to the internal organs. The phase of deep heating begins, which leads to changes in metabolic processes in the body, regulatory hormonal mechanisms, and immune influences.

Remember!

Rheumatics cannot take bath procedures in full, because when they cool down, they may experience undesirable reactions due to increased sensitivity to cold. Particularly, you should be careful with those patients who take corticosteroids (including with intra-articular administration), because in such patients the reactivity of the adrenal glands is reduced.

Those who treat rheumatic diseases with the help of bath procedures should remember that rheumatics are sensitive to microclimatic changes. In particular, for patients with pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, it is better to use a shower rather than a swimming pool for cooling after a steam room. In this case, the direction of dousing is from the neck down. You can also recommend such patients pouring from the gang - it is poured over the head or chest.

These patients should visit the bathhouse no earlier than 3-4 weeks after the end of the course of treatment with such drugs, since the negative consequences can be very serious (up to an immediate threat to life).

A patient with rheumatism should develop for himself an individual plan of bath procedures, taking into account his physical condition and the phase of the disease. The fact is that in rheumatic patients, swelling of the subcutaneous fat layer of the legs is often noted, which is probably associated with a violation of the circulation of the intercellular fluid. Accordingly, such patients are especially recommended to take optimal postures for the legs in the steam room: lying down, with the legs raised or supported against the wall so that they are always above the level of the body.

Bath procedures based on temperature contrasts, actively affecting the body, improve its adaptation (adaptation) to the negative influences of the external environment, contribute to the appearance of physical exchange shifts and the restoration of vegetative balance.

Metabolic processes are also activated, in particular, the level of growth hormone rises to 163%. After visiting the baths and saunas, an increase in the level of histamine in the blood is noted, which has a positive effect on the course of the extra-articular form of rheumatism. Bath and sauna contribute to the development of protective reactions in various biological systems, however, it must be remembered that such reactions are reduced in patients with adrenal insufficiency.

Medical scientists have recently come to a unanimous opinion that bath procedures have an undoubted positive effect on patients with pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, so they can and should be used as a preventive method in the treatment of certain diseases. True, it should be noted that in this case a bath or a sauna should be used as additional procedures in the general complex of treatment of patients with pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.

Half of the diseases of a non-inflammatory nature is an extra-articular form of rheumatism - soft tissue rheumatism. It is in the treatment and prevention of this group of diseases that bath procedures are recommended.

With rheumatism of soft tissues, the pathology of tendons, ligaments and fascia prevails, which provide the statics of the musculoskeletal system. The dynamics are provided by muscles with good blood circulation, high energy demand and metabolism.

With increased loads in the muscles, significant morphological changes occur, which have traditionally been defined as muscle rheumatism. Currently, scientists have come to the conclusion that there is a special form of pathology that occurs as a result of hypoxia (oxygen deficiency), which develops due to deterioration of blood circulation in the muscles under various loads.

And if earlier antirheumatic drugs were prescribed for such diseases, now it has become clear that it is necessary to improve blood circulation in the muscles. And here the Russian bath also comes to the rescue, which, by warming up, eliminating hypoxia and improving blood flow, helps to reduce morphological changes - especially if the process has not gone too far.

From my personal experience, I will record that athletes who often visited the steam bath and turned to me for the provision of broom massage services noted the very high efficiency of steaming with brooms. In combination with the usual massage, the "massage - steam room - broom" complex allowed to warm up and stretch the "full" muscle mass and relieve pain syndromes and other unpleasant sensations.

The Russian steam bath also has a miraculous effect on people suffering from radiculitis, myositis and lumbago.

As a rule, such diseases (popularly often called by the common name "lumbago") are based on hypertonicity (unremitting overstrain) of muscles. Often people suffering from "lumbago" believe that the fault is "infringement of the vertebrae" (meaning infringement of the nerve endings or vertebral discs).

In recent years, scientists have come to the conclusion that the proportion of real infringements for back pain is not as high as it is commonly believed. A huge percentage of cases are related not to the pathology of the intervertebral discs and not to the infringement of the "nerve roots", but to myositis and inflammation of the nerve endings due to muscle hypertonicity.

Overstrained muscle tissue interferes with normal blood circulation and, as a result, the enrichment of tissues with oxygen. The result is hypoxia - oxygen starvation. In addition, as a result of stress, lactic acid accumulates in the muscles, which also leads to pain, heaviness and other unpleasant sensations. Thermal and contrasting temperature water procedures of the Russian bath activate blood circulation, lead to vasodilation, increase bandwidth capillaries and leaching of harmful substances from muscle tissue, including lactic acid.

With increased loads - workers, sports - tendons and fascia also undergo morphological changes due to hypoxia. The process is further complicated by the fact that metabolic processes in the tissues of the fascia and tendons are slower and, as a result, their ability to withstand loads is weakening more and more.

Bearing in mind the specifics of this process, it is possible to recommend, in this case, treatment with the help of bath procedures: active heating in the steam room will help to enhance metabolic processes in the tendons and fascia and eliminate the effects of hypoxia.

For osteoarthritis of the hip and knee joints, the bath is also a good therapeutic tool. As, by the way, and with discopathies, in which osteoarthritis of the adjacent vertebrae develops and violations of the venous flow are observed.

Another disease that is treated with the help of a Russian steam bath is gout. Gout is a chronic disorder characterized by impaired purine metabolism and an increase in the level of uric acid in the blood. Gout is also accompanied by the deposition of sodium urate in the cartilage of the joints and other tissues.

Moreover, the bath is prescribed in almost all of its stages. However, it must be remembered that gouty patients need to take as much liquid as possible in the bath: this will avoid overloading the kidneys and reduce the risk of stones formation. Since a visit to a steam bath increases blood flow, this can lead to increased excretion of uric acid. The use of herbs that have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and diuretic effects has a very mild and beneficial effect on the course of the disease.

These include flowers of blue cornflower, calendula, peony, buckthorn, black elderberry, juniper fruits, buckthorn and willow bark, dioecious nettle leaves, lingonberry leaves, horsetail herb.

To combat gout and gouty arthritis using bath procedures, you can offer several bath decoctions (cocktails) of the following recipe.

1. Mix 1 part cornflower flowers, 1 part marigold flowers, 1 part juniper fruit, 1 part peppermint, 1 part birch leaves. 1 tbsp. pour a spoonful of the mixture with 1 cup of boiling water, boil in a water bath and insist for 20 minutes. Then strain, mix with 1 liter of water and put on stones.

2.1 tbsp. spoon lingonberry leaves pour 1 cup boiling water, boil in a water bath for 10 minutes, leave for 15–20 minutes, strain, mix with 1 liter of water and put on stones.

3. Mix 1 part of lingonberry leaves, 1 part of St. John's wort, 2 parts of stinging nettle leaves, 1 part of currant leaves, 2 parts of horsetail herb. 1 tbsp. pour a spoonful of the mixture with 1 glass of boiling water, boil for 5-7 minutes in a water bath, insist for 15 minutes, strain, mix with 1 liter of water and put on hot stones.

Medical specialists believe that the bath can give a quick and well-pronounced positive effect in diseases such as infectious and parainfectious arthritis, myopathy, increased muscle fatigue in viral diseases.

Bathing procedures can give the same tangible effect in case of ankylosing spondylitis, with progressive arthritis developing in inflammatory diseases of the joints and spine - during remission and stabilization of the inflammatory process with drug treatment.

In the case of injuries to the bones and large joints, which were accompanied by hemorrhages, the bath is not prescribed. Contraindication is associated with a possible deterioration in well-being.

However, it does not follow from this that the bath cannot be used in such cases - only bath procedures are prescribed already in the rehabilitation stage. And in this case, swelling, muscle tension decrease, persistent residual effects decrease, blood supply improves, spasms stop. In addition, when visiting a Russian steam bath, a complex psychological effect is achieved: relaxation, negative experiences associated with trauma disappear. Rest and peace of mind are restored.

Bath procedures are indicated for the following diseases of the musculoskeletal system:

- violation of posture;

- increased muscle tone (reflex or emotional stress);

- algodystrophic syndrome after exacerbation of the disease;

- extra-articular rheumatism (pathology of muscles, ligaments, fascia);

- conditions after injuries of the joints and soft tissues of the musculoskeletal system, after injuries and surgical interventions (not earlier than 3-4 months after the operation);

- generalized osteoarthritis;

- deforming arthrosis;

- humeroscapular periarthritis;

- rheumatism - not earlier than a year after the acute stage, without signs of biochemical and organic disorders, mainly from the heart;

- rheumatoid arthritis in remission;

- ankylosing spondylitis without signs of inflammatory activity;

- psoriatic arthritis;

- gouty arthritis after exacerbation;

- metabolic osteopenia;

- osteoporosis due to the formation of contractures;

- osteomalacia.

Contraindications to the use of bath procedures for diseases musculoskeletal system are:

- acute diseases of the musculoskeletal system;

- acute rheumatic diseases with signs of process activity and dysproteinemia;

- acute compressive radicular syndromes and discopathies in spondylitis;

- active corticosteroid therapy;

- sharp injuries.

1.1 tbsp. a spoonful of the mixture, which includes: 3 parts of black elderberry, 3 parts of stinging nettle herb, 3 parts of parsley root, 3 parts of willow bark, pour 1 glass of boiling water, stir and insist, without removing from the stove, for 20 minutes, then strain and dilute in 1 liter of water just before serving on the stones.

2. 3 parts of black elderberry, 3 parts of stinging nettle herb, 3 parts of parsley root, mix 3 parts of willow bark. 1 tbsp. pour a spoonful of the mixture with 1 cup of boiling water, stir thoroughly, insist in a warm place for 20 minutes, then strain, dilute in 1 liter of water and put on stones.

3.3 parts of black elderberry flowers, 1 part of buckthorn bark, 4 parts of birch leaves, 5 parts of willow bark mix, pour 1 glass of boiling water, boil in a water bath for 5 to 7 minutes, insist everything, strain, mix with 1 liter of water and put on the stones.

4. 3 parts of a birch leaf, 2 parts of stinging nettle, 3 parts of a violet tricolor mix, pour 1 glass of boiling water, boil in a water bath for 10 minutes, leave for half an hour, strain, mix with 1 liter of water and put the cocktail on the stones.

Skin covering

Skin covering- this is the first of the body's environments, which takes on the effects of bath procedures. A little later, the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract is included in the perception of temperature and humidity.

As you know, human skin is not just a sufficiently elastic and durable cover that is resistant to environmental influences. It is a complex multifunctional organ associated with other organs and performing numerous functions that are important not only for itself, but also for many other body systems. Nerve endings, blood and lymphatic vessels, sweat and sebaceous glands are located in the skin and its appendages.

The skin protects the body from the following effects:

- mechanical (due to density and elasticity);

- physical (due to density, pigmentation and electrical properties);

- chemical (due to density, impermeability and biochemical qualities - resistance to acids and alkalis due to neutralizing abilities);

- biological, microbial (due to the integrity and biochemical qualities of the skin surface, as well as due to the production of protective substances, vitamins and enzymes).

Bath heat, humidity and contrast procedures have a positive effect on the peripheral blood circulation, improve the trophism of the skin and its appendages, stimulate its functions: metabolic, secretory and immune, regeneration of the epidermis and subcutaneous fat layer. Ultimately, there is an improvement and normalization of the impaired functions of the skin and regression of a disease such as dermatosis.

Another important function that the skin performs is thermoregulation. This function is carried out under the control of the nervous system: it affects the change in blood flow in the skin, the secretion of sweat and its evaporation. Skin thermoreceptors perceive temperature environment and send impulses that carry signals to the central nervous system. These signals also reach the temperature centers of the hypothalamus, and from them are transmitted to the executive thermoregulatory organs.

The skin is also an informational organ: it has a fairly large receptor area in which sensitive nerve endings are located that perceive cold, heat, pressure, burning, itching, pain, and other sensations that carry important information, which help the body to carry out adaptive, protective and other vital important reactions.

Bath procedures improve "skin well-being", removing the dead layer of epithelium and waste products from the skin surface, remove itching and similar symptoms that interfere with the perception of sensations, and increase the sensitivity of the skin, ie, its information receptivity.

Skin appendages - sweat and sebaceous glands perform a secretory (excretory) function. The secretion of these glands, together with keratin proteins and desquamated epithelial cells, forms a protective physiological layer of the skin surface. It has many protective properties, in particular, resistance to acids and alkalis, neutralizing, antimicrobial, antifungal and other properties.

Reflex reactions of the skin make it possible to determine the state of the autonomic nervous system, its reactivity, and the ability to form vasoactive substances. These substances are produced in response to external stimuli (mechanical, physical and chemical), as well as internal ones - metabolic, toxic and neuropsychic.

Temperature contrasts and mechanical influences (parka with brooms, manual and instrumental massage) cause the formation of vasoactive substances and affect the tone of the autonomic nervous system.

Thanks to another well-known function - a barrier - the skin, on the one hand, protects the body from the penetration of harmful substances, and on the other hand, it perceives, resorbs, deposits and transports a number of substances (both harmful and medicinal). In addition, certain substances are excreted from the body through the skin, and all these processes can go in both directions (the skin secretes and absorbs various substances). The exception is oxygen - it is absorbed only inside.

And if the skin is capable of resorption (absorption, absorption), then this should be taken into account both in bath procedures (above we described vaping with rubbing), and in balneological - compresses from medicines, mud therapy, galvanotherapy (introduction of substances into the body using galvanic current), massage, etc.

Strengthening peripheral blood circulation, increasing the permeability of the skin in both directions, increasing sweating and hydration of the epidermis under the influence of temperature and mechanical effects of Russian bath procedures increases the resorption capacity of the skin and increases the effectiveness of treatment, in particular skin diseases.

It is also definitely known about the positive effect of the bath (sauna) on metabolic processes, water-salt metabolism, the formation of vitamins, vasoactive substances, tissue hormones, enzymes, pigmentation (discoloration) of the skin, immune processes, etc.

The main tool for influencing the skin in a Russian bath is contrasting temperature conditions. Powerful stimulation of oxidative processes in the skin occurs due to the acceleration of blood flow and improvement of skin respiration during hyperemia (rush of blood to the skin surface).

Another powerful tool for influencing both the skin and the entire body is broom massage and self-massage, without which a Russian bath cannot be imagined.

Bath procedures increase the supply of protective substances to the skin, increase the phagocytic ability of leukocytes, enhance the activity of enzymes and membrane permeability.

The metabolism in the skin increases 2–3 times as the temperature rises due to the acceleration of blood flow. This promotes the active resorption of inflammatory infiltrates, the elimination of pathological metabolites to the excretory organs (kidneys, sweat glands), and helps to detoxify them in the liver.

Under the influence of the steam room, the ducts of the sweat glands open during follicular hyperkeratosis, and intense sweating promotes the hydration of the cells of the stratum corneum, desquamation of hyper- and parakeratosis scales in squamous dermatoses. The release of impacted sweat from the excretory ducts and intercellular spaces of the epidermis increases.

In the treatment of dermatoses, the main efforts are usually directed towards eliminating itching. Bath (sauna) very successfully combats this symptom and the disappearance of itching; it not only brings relief to the patient, but also reflects significant morphological changes in the course of the disease.

With dermatoses, the following are disturbed: the tone of the autonomic nervous system, the metabolism of skin sugar, lipids, uric acid and nitrogenous compounds, water-electrolyte metabolism. Bath procedures, exerting a stimulating effect on these processes, have a pronounced therapeutic effect on the course of the disease.

The alternation of high and low temperatures in the bath can have a positive effect on vasomotor adaptation in temperature fluctuations and dermatoses with impaired peripheral blood circulation (cold hands and feet, vasospasm, etc.).

The bath has a positive effect on the course of allergic diseases: it affects the metabolic processes, excretory and detoxification organs, the nervous system, and has a therapeutic effect in dermatoses associated with disruption of the activity of internal organs.

It has been established that the cause of many dermatoses is the state of the internal environment of the body, the central and autonomic nervous systems. The bath trains thermoregulatory mechanisms, which makes it possible to increase the body's resistance to certain dermatoses (for example, psoriasis, atropic dermatitis), which have a characteristic seasonal course with deterioration in winter, especially during thaws.

The bath definitely has a positive effect on increasing the body's resistance to viral and bacterial seasonal infections (flu, tonsillitis, acute respiratory infections) and catarrhal conditions caused by hypothermia. As you know, it is with them and sore throats that exacerbation of psoriasis occurs.

The Russian bath has a pronounced cosmetic effect. As the ancient saying goes: “Skin is a mirror of health”. Color, plasticity, strength, moisture, oiliness, thickness of the skin and subcutaneous fat are signs by which not only the condition of the skin itself is judged, but also the health of the whole organism.

A sign of a healthy skin condition is its pink color, which is due to a good blood supply. Having a positive effect on all functions of the skin and its appendages, the bath improves skin trophism and, as a result, gives a cosmetic effect without any side effects: intolerance or allergic sensitivity.

Since under the influence of bath procedures, physical well-being improves, sleep and appetite are strengthened, emotional stress decreases or completely disappears, depressive disorders weaken or disappear, the resulting positive psychotherapeutic effect helps in the fight against dermatoses. The physicians have accumulated a rich positive stuff about the fight with the help of bath procedures with such dermal diseases as eczema, urticaria, atopic dermatitis, furunculosis, psoriasis, peripheral circulation disorders, residual effects after injuries, non-healing wounds during cosmetic skin cleaning, etc.

What is the mechanism of the effect of the bath on the skin? When it enters the steam room, the body almost immediately begins to react to the effects of warm air: the mechanism of active sweating is activated. As you know, the degree of evaporation from the skin surface directly depends on the temperature: the higher it is, the more intense the perspiration.

In the bath, when it enters a zone of high temperatures, the perspiration of the human body increases by almost 2 times, and when sweating with the entire surface of the body, the thermal transfer (cooling) of the body increases by about 30 times compared to the cooling of the body under normal conditions.

As everyone who has ever been to the sauna knows, the bather's skin is moistened immediately upon entering the steam room due to the deposition of condensate on it. However, the sweating itself begins a little later: for those who regularly visit the steam room - 3-4 minutes after entering, for those who visit the bath from time to time - about 8-10 minutes.

From the beginning of being in the steam room and during the entire time of vaping, the activity of the sweat glands increases (the number of active sweat glands in a person approaches a hundred by one square centimeter!)

Due to perspiration during bath procedures, body weight is reduced (depending on the time spent in the steam room and the skillful distribution of time in the ratio "procedure - rest"). An important role in this process is played by the state of the nervous system, the position of the body (sitting, lying or standing) and the floor. It has been found that men sweat more than women.

In the bathhouse regulars, body weight loss averages up to 20 g per square meter, and for those who have not previously visited a sauna or bath, this figure is 13 g per square meter. The total sweat production in a steam room reaches 20-30, and sometimes even 40 g per minute - it depends on the conditions of the bath procedure: air temperature, humidity and the number of visits to the steam room, as well as the use of a broom.

Some bathers believe that the more often you go into the steam room and the longer you stay in it, the more profuse you sweat and the more useful the bath. This is a dangerous delusion. The fact is that when you visit the steam room more than 5 times and the temperature of the bather's skin rises above 41 ° C, sweating stops almost completely.

This is followed by overheating, often accompanied by short-term loss of consciousness. But if a person is stubborn and does not listen to his body, then you can "earn" and heatstroke, and hypertensive crisis, and myocardial infarction.

Until now, many people believe that you need to drink more before the bath - this, they say, improves sweating. Scientists have found that sweating itself does not increase significantly, therefore, from a therapeutic point of view, you should not consume a lot of moisture before bathing: this increases the load on the kidneys.

For a real increase in sweating, you need to use mechanical (broom, brush) or reflex (warm foot baths) means. The reason is that the fluid needed to create sweat is transported to the sweat glands on the skin's surface through blood vessels. And you should take care of them first of all.

Remember: vessels are not pores. The pores open easily and close easily, responding only to changes in ambient temperature. Vessels in a state of rest and neutral influence from the outside are in a passive working state. Often stagnation occurs in them, various toxins are deposited, some of which (for example, cholesterol plaques) can be the cause of blockage and the appearance of blood clots.

But it is worth starting the effect on the body - physical (compression, stretching, as, for example, during massage, or muscle contraction during physical exertion) or temperature, as in a Russian bath, when the heat of the steam room alternates with the cold of a pool or snowdrift - how the vessels begin to react expansion (for heat) or contraction (for cold). The first to react are those that are located closer to the focus of influence, and then those that are distant from it.

As you can see, the bathhouse with its contrasting water-steam procedures, broom, manual and instrumental massage is an ideal place for training the vessels.

To prevent blockages in the pores and, therefore, inflammatory processes, you need not to steam in an unwashed state and, moreover, do not jump after that into a pool, snowdrift or take an ice douche or rubdown with snow.

You need to take a shower before visiting the steam room. Some advise not to wash your hair, the author of these lines recommends that you wash your head, so to speak, "roughly", but be sure to dry it and only then go to steam. After you take a steam bath, you should not immediately take cold procedures - whatever they may be: whether it is a pool, cold dousing or wiping with snow. It is necessary for 1-2 minutes to wash off the sweat and leaves left on the skin after sweating in the steam room and broom massage under a shower of neutral temperature. By the way, the same requirement applies to those who took a massage session with oils or rubbing before the steam room.

The requirement to take a neutral shower before cold procedures is intended to prevent foreign substances and sweat from accumulating on the surface of the skin into the pores that react to cold with lightning-fast compression. It should not be forgotten that the sweat released under the influence of high temperatures in the steam room, and even more so with the use of a broom, is a liquid saturated with salts and substances - products that are harmful and no longer necessary for the body.

Intense sweating taking place in the steam room has a positive effect on edema: they disappear due to the passage of fluid from the interstitial space into the blood. There is a movement of substances from tissues into the blood - one of the "magic" mechanisms of cleansing the body in the Russian bath works.

True, in this regard, it is necessary to take care of such important organs as the liver and kidneys: it is on them that the difficult duty of removing harmful substances from the body lies. Therefore, you should not overload them with alcohol and heavy, mixed foods (such as Olivier salads, etc.) in the bath.

At the same time, it should be noted that with sweat, not only harmful substances, but also substances necessary for the body, for example, some mineral salts, are released from the body. It was found that 1 liter of sweat contains 2-3 g of sodium chloride and 0.4-0.8 g of potassium.

The loss of sodium chloride (table salt) can be easily compensated for by eating salty food (of course, after all bath procedures). The loss of potassium cannot be recovered so easily.

By the way, potassium is flushed out of the body not only during sweating, but also during daily consumption of such a widely popular and healthy drink as black tea.

It is possible and necessary to compensate for the leakage of potassium from the body by consuming vegetables, fresh herbs, and most importantly - dried fruits and decoctions from them (compotes). The main carrier of potassium is dried apricots. Prunes are also very useful. In all respects, it is good to use mineral water and green tea after bath procedures (namely, after!).

Green tea is very rich in microelements and vitamins, but due to the fact that by its appearance (color) it is difficult to judge how well it is brewed, and in combination with bath loads, it can "plant" the heart. And the real one rich in salts mineral water, if actively taken in between visits to the steam room, will overload the kidneys.

Therefore, between "steam" sessions, it is better to quench your bath thirst by rinsing your mouth with cool boiled water, or sipping a weak decoction of rowan berries, cranberries, currants in small sips. Natural juice without preservatives is very useful. Not very sweet dried fruit compote is recommended.

It has been established that a significant amount of copper is excreted from the body along with sweat. This is important for those who suffer from Wilson's disease - for such patients, the bath and sauna can be an effective auxiliary method of therapy.

Those patients who take lithium preparations should remember that lithium is not released with sweat, and therefore one should try to avoid the use of other drugs that cause excess fluid.

With sweat, they are actively excreted: uric and lactic acids (you can only rejoice at their loss), some amino acids, certain hormones and vitamins.

As we can see, the skin, along with the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract, is the main organ, which is influenced by the basic factors of the bath and sauna: temperature and humidity.

It should be remembered that the skin is, figuratively speaking, the gate of the body that opens in both directions: from the inside, along with sweat, nitrogen and various harmful substances are released from the body, including excess drugs and toxins formed after courses of treatment. Oxygen, as well as other substances and liquids, can enter the body through the skin.

Not so long ago, data were obtained on the permeability of intact human skin for toxic and neutral substances that dissolve well in water and the secretion of sweat glands. It was found that human skin is impenetrable only when there is no sweat at all or with persistent perspiration (which happens, for example, during exercise or while in the steam room).

But as soon as the skin cools down (this usually happens in the 3-5th minute after the cessation of physical work or heat exposure), it begins to absorb, like a sponge, all the dissolved substances that have ended up on its surface.

Therefore, you should rinse yourself under a neutral or slightly warm shower every time you leave the steam room, wrap yourself in a sheet or wipe yourself with a towel. Otherwise, all the harmful substances that are released through the skin with sweat will return to the body.

It is at this moment that the healing rubbing, oils or infusions with which you plan to be treated should be rubbed into the skin. After allowing the body to cool down and the skin to absorb a healthy rubdown, you can take a warm shower or even wash yourself with soap to calmly put on clean underwear.

The main indicators for the appointment of a bath are peripheral circulatory disorders.

The bath is indicated for the following skin diseases:

- eczema outside the stage of exacerbation;

- atopic dermatitis;

- chronic and nodular pruritus;

- urticaria;

- toxic-allergic and drug rashes;

- psoriasis;

- ichthyosis;

- limited scleroderma;

- disorders of peripheral circulation - acrocyanosis, conditions after frostbite, with the syndrome of "dead fingers", atrophic dermatitis (only in the stage of regression after antibiotic treatment!);

- with chronic furunculosis, with the exception of acute inflammatory forms with suppuration.

Brief commentary on the readings. Eczema in combination with dermatitis is the most common skin disease with a wide variety of pathogenetic characteristics, but it should be remembered that the bath is indicated for chronic and recurrent forms with different pathogenesis during the period of regression and in the stationary phase. With an exacerbation of the process with weeping and microbial eczema, you cannot visit the bathhouse!

Remember!

In case of skin diseases, you can take bath procedures only after consulting a doctor and only in an individual bath (bath room). Visiting a public bath for people with skin diseases is strictly prohibited!

With caution and strictly on an individual basis, the bath is prescribed for microbial, fungal, dyshidrotic reactions, as well as varicose paratraumatic eczema with venostasis, dermatitis and oily seborrhea.

The bath normalizes the internal environment with eczema, which are based on metabolic disorders in the body. The use of bath procedures accelerates the release and neutralization of harmful substances, microflora, allergenic compounds and substances, pathological metabolites from the skin surface and from the intercellular spaces of the epidermis in contact eczema.

It is known that the bath has a positive effect on the regeneration of the epidermis and the protective layer of the skin in degenerative eczema and an increased tendency to microbial superinfection.

However, it should be remembered that even if the bath is indicated for some forms of eczema and dermatoses, in certain cases mechanical action on the skin should be excluded, namely, whipping with a broom, rubbing with a brush, a strong shower, different kinds contact massage.

Sometimes you should use a lighter version of the bath or sauna. This is done in cases where perspiration is observed in the excretory ducts of the glands and its penetration into the intercellular space, frequent exacerbations of itching, neurotic reactions with sleep disorders due to itching, vegetative lability, a tendency to microbial infection of the skin and infectious diseases of the respiratory tract as a result of hypothermia , reduced adaptation to temperature fluctuations (especially during the transition from heat to cold), delayed rewarming after cooling.

1. Make a dry mixture: 1 part of sage leaves, 1 part of plantain leaves, 1 part of nettle leaves, 1 part of wormwood herb, 1 part of yarrow herb, 1 part of St. John's wort, 1 part of juniper fruit. Select 2 tbsp. tablespoons of the mixture and, pouring 1.5 cups of boiling water, heat in a water bath for 10 minutes, insist the resulting broth for 20 minutes. Strain, squeeze, mix with 1 liter of water and consume immediately after preparation.

2. Mix dry raw materials: 2 parts of chicory root, 2 parts of dandelion root, 2 parts of three-leafed watch leaves, 2 parts of fennel fruits, 2 parts of alder buckthorn bark. Take 2 tbsp. spoons and pour 1.5 cups of boiling water, heat in a water bath for 20 minutes, strain, squeeze, dilute the resulting cocktail in 1.5 liters of water before use.

3. Mix dry ingredients: 3 parts of burdock root, 3 parts of licorice root, 3 parts of elecampane root, 4 parts of St. John's wort herb. Select 2 tbsp. tablespoons of the mixture, pour 1.5 cups of boiling water, heat in a water bath for 20 minutes, squeeze, drain and use for tamponade, rubdowns and baths for both eczema and acne.

With such a rather widespread disease as psoriasis, there is a genetically determined tendency of the epidermis to damage. It manifests itself under the influence of provoking external and internal factors: infectious, viral, microbial, toxic-allergic, metabolic, alimentary, physical, emotional, immune, etc.

In some cases, bath procedures can have a positive effect on the course of the disease and even change its course. This is especially true for those types of psoriasis, which are based on emotional, immune, physical and, in part, nutritional causes.

As you know, the bath has a tonic effect and normalizes the mental and somatic state. And this is very important for improving the well-being of patients with atropic dermatitis.

With a disease such as pruritus, bath procedures not only eliminate itching, but can also contribute to the resorption of infiltrate nodules. However, the bath is contraindicated in symptomatic itching accompanying malignant processes. The positive effect of the bath is associated with the improvement of metabolic processes with an increase in blood circulation, as well as softening of the skin due to the strengthening of the functions of the skin appendages - sweat and sebaceous glands.

1 part of stinging nettle leaves, 1 part of oregano herb, 1.5 parts of a string herb, 1 part of tricolor violet herb, 1 part of chamomile flowers, 1 part of creeping thyme herb, 1 part of licorice root. Mix all the ingredients, take 1.5 tbsp. tablespoons of the resulting mixture, heat in a water bath for 15 minutes, leave for 20 minutes, strain, squeeze and dilute in 1 liter of water.

As for urticaria, this disease, as a rule, occurs in conjunction with allergic and non-allergic components. At the same time, the steam room has a positive effect on those types of urticaria that are caused by cold and metabolic processes.

It is more difficult to treat with a bath a variety of urticaria, caused by such physical factors as pressure, heat, solar insolation, cold. When visiting a bath or sauna, patients with urticaria must exclude any mechanical procedures (broom and manual massage, rubbing with auto-massagers, mittens and rubbing, etc.).

A positive effect can be achieved in the treatment of mild forms of ichthyosis with bath procedures. (Common ichthyosis is often associated with atopic eczema.)

Bath treatment is especially effective for ichthyosis in children. school age... Experts attribute this to the fact that children at puberty (after 12 years) have an increased activity of the sebaceous glands, and bath procedures deeply cleanse the skin and normalize the state of the excretory sebaceous ducts.

But we should not forget that with ichthyosis, hypofunction of the sweat glands is observed, which reduces the thermoregulatory abilities of the body and increases the tendency to pyoderma.

The thermal effect of the bath and massage helps to improve local trophism with limited scleroderma and has a general tonic effect on the entire body, which can prevent the spread (generalization) of the process. However, the bath is contraindicated in diffuse progressive form of scleroderma with systemic lesions.

With toxic-allergic and drug rashes, bath procedures can also be useful.

It is possible to prescribe a bath even with chronic furunculosis, but it should definitely be excluded in acute inflammatory forms with suppuration.

Special mention should be made of the use of the bath in dermocosmetics.

“Hot Finnish Guys” have long ago noted the exceptional influence of the sauna on the appearance of women, as evidenced by the saying: “A woman becomes beautiful after a sauna”.

In Russia, since ancient times, beauty and health have been associated with the effects of bath procedures. At the beginning of this book, we have already mentioned how the bride, before the wedding, arranged for her girlfriends a "hot bath", and the groom gave her a box with various toiletries and a mirror. And after the bath, the bride and her girlfriends were invited to the festive table and the bachelorette party began.

The groom's bachelor party, both in the old days and now, is often held in the bathhouse. In the customs of many peoples, before marriage, to give young people a bath and bath in various forms.

When using saunas and baths in dermocosmetics, they primarily mean the removal of dust, bacteria, dead epithelial cells, fat and other skin secretions from the skin surface.

During the bath procedures, the ducts of the skin glands are released, the physiological properties of the skin are improved, as well as its regeneration, hydration, lubrication and trophism as a result of the activation of blood circulation. The structure and functions of the proliferative and keratic layers of the skin return to normal, and acidity also increases due to an increase in blood flow.

If a person has oily skin, then when carrying out bath procedures, it is necessary to slow down the secretion of the sebaceous glands, release their ducts, remove dead epithelial cells, which leads to drying of the skin. When blood flow is activated, the skin softens, becomes more elastic and more actively resists the onslaught of bacteria.

However, when visiting a bath - especially a sauna or a Russian dry-air bath - there are such negative phenomena as overdrying of the skin of the face, accompanied by hyperfunction of the sebaceous glands: the skin becomes oily even faster than usual.

To prevent this, it is imperative that after the end of the steam procedures wash your face using lanolin soap, and then rinse your face with cold water and wash it with astringents (good for this purpose is "oak water" left after soaking brooms, or eucalyptus tincture, and it is better - also water , not alcohol).

A number of researchers in Russia and abroad (for example, the Czech specialist M. Matei) believe that the bath is indicated for a number of skin diseases: vitiligo, mycoses, psoriasis, eczema, atopic dermatitis, chronic furunculosis, etc.

In general, for the prevention and treatment of skin diseases, the use of such herbal remedies as St. black poplar buds, mountain arnica herb, aloe juice, alder buckthorn bark, dandelion and licorice roots.

In special cases, while taking bath procedures in a Russian steam bath, it is recommended to use the following recipes:

1. Vitiligo Make up a dry mixture: 3 parts of St. John's wort, 2 parts of chamomile flowers, 3 parts of calendula flowers, 4 parts of sage herb, 2 parts of oregano herb, 2 parts of string herb, 4 parts of stinging nettle leaves. Mix everything thoroughly, take 2 tbsp from the resulting mixture. spoons and pour 250 ml of boiling water. Heat everything in a water bath for 5-7 minutes, leave for 20 minutes, strain, dilute the resulting infusion with 1 liter of water and put on stones.

2. Against seborrheic alopecia for the preparation of bath cocktails, such medicinal plants are taken that have anti-inflammatory properties: burdock root, elecampane root, St. Manchu, peppermint herb, plantain leaves.

The recipe for such cocktails is as follows:

a) Mix thoroughly: 3 parts large burdock, 3 parts elecampane root, 4 parts St. John's wort, 1 part peppermint. 2 tbsp. pour spoons of the mixture with 1.5 cups of boiling water, heat everything in a water bath for 15 minutes, insist for 20 minutes and strain while still warm, and then dilute in 1 liter of water.

b) Mix: 3 parts of burdock root, 7 parts of stinging nettle leaves, 2 parts of St. John's wort, 1 part of currant leaves, 1 part of peppermint herb. Select 1.5 tbsp. tablespoons of dry mixture and pour 1 cup of boiling water. Heat for 10 minutes in a water bath, leave for 15 minutes. Then strain, squeeze out the thick. The resulting cocktail, diluted in 1 liter of water, put on hot stones.

c) Stir: 1 part burdock roots, 2 parts St. John's wort, 1 part grass, 1 part immortelle flowers, 1 part chamomile flowers, 1 part tansy flowers, 1 part corn columns with stigmas, 1 part aralia roots, 2 parts mint grass pepper. Select 2 tbsp from the resulting dry mixture. spoons, pour 1.5 cups of boiling water, heat in a water bath for 10 minutes, then leave for 20 minutes. After filtering, squeeze out the thick and dilute the resulting volume in 1 liter of water.

d) Make a dry mixture: 1 part plantain leaves, 1 part burdock roots, 1 part calendula flowers, 1 part peppermint, 1 part St. John's wort, 1 part sandy immortelle flowers, 1 part stinging nettle leaves. Select 2 tbsp. tablespoons of the mixture, pour 1.5 cups of boiling water and heat in a water bath for 10 minutes, then let it brew for 10 minutes, drain, squeeze. Dilute the resulting cocktail with 1 liter of water and use it to sprinkle on stones.

The bath is contraindicated for the following skin diseases:

- acute eczema (weeping and impetiginous forms);

- microbial eczema;

- children's eczema up to two years of age;

- pruritus in malignant diseases;

- acute stage of psoriasis;

- fresh rashes;

- progressive skin diseases;

- psoriatic erythroderma;

- pustular forms in the acute stage;

- smallpox gouty parapsoriasis;

- focal psoriasis with the transition to fungal mycosis;

- diffuse and progressive scleroderma with systemic lesions;

- all acute skin diseases and their exacerbations;

- the presence of a purulent rash;

- contagious infectious skin diseases (pyoderma, dermatomycosis, epidermophytosis);

- tuberculosis of the skin;

- leprosy;

- tularemia;

- viral skin diseases;

- pemphigus and similar diseases;

- erythematosis;

- skin tumors and precancerous diseases;

- skin manifestations of malignant diseases;

- primary and secondary erythroderma;

- cutaneous hemorrhages.

Internal organs and endocrine system

The internal environment of the body, despite fluctuations in environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, physical influences), has fairly constant indicators. Nevertheless, these changes cause certain reactions in the work of internal organs.

The energy of metabolic processes provides the normal characteristics of the basic functions of organs and systems of the human body. Three quarters of this energy is converted into heat, which is needed to maintain a relatively stable body temperature. All this is provided by the process of basic metabolism, the quality of which depends on gender, age, body weight, environmental conditions, psycho-emotional state of a person, his lifestyle, activity of the endocrine glands and other factors.

The body produces heat (mainly in the muscles and some other internal organs), while maintaining a constant core body temperature and generating slightly more heat than is required to maintain a constant body temperature.

If the temperature of the external environment changes, then the internal environment of the body also reacts to it in a certain way.

For example, under the influence of a bath, the composition of some body fluids changes: the number of red blood cells in the blood moderately increases, the number of leukocytes increases, blood clotting increases, which is associated with an increase in the number of platelets in the blood.

In lactating women, after a bath, the amount of milk increases.

Since during the bath procedures there is an intense loss of fluid, the concentration of salts in the blood and tissues increases. The activity of the thyroid gland changes significantly. There is also a change in the gas and acid-base balance in the blood: after the bath, there is a shift in arterial blood to the acidic side.

The bath improves oxidative processes in tissues and increases protein synthesis, that is, it has a strong anabolic effect on the body.

The amount of sweat released varies from 50 to 2100 g, depending on the time spent in the steam room and the frequency of visits, as well as on individual factors (gender, age, the presence of a habit of bathing procedures, etc.).

Thus, a bath or sauna causes a number of changes in the internal environment of the body, which are short-lived in themselves and are quickly compensated by regulatory mechanisms, if you do not violate the rules for using the bath and do not overload yourself.

Let us consider separately the effect of the bath (sauna) on some internal organs and systems, as well as the directions of its therapeutic use in various fields of medicine.

Digestive organs

Thermal and cold procedures in the history of medicine were used to treat diseases of internal organs very widely. It is known from the literature about the use of hot compresses and heating pads, as well as cold compresses and ice bubbles.

Heat and cold have been used to treat diseases and functional disorders oral cavity, stomach, small and large intestine, pancreas, liver, biliary tract and gallbladder.

Dry and wet heat in modern medicine is used in the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and organs of the digestive system, which are based on disorders of the central nervous system and its autonomic division, as well as those associated with metabolic disorders in the body.

It was found that the bath increases the body's resistance and regulates neurovegetative activity. It is such a water-therapeutic procedure, which, being prescribed in complex treatment, contributes to an increase in the body's resistance and adaptive abilities due to nervous, humoral and hormonal influences.

The main operating factors in bathing procedures, as in other cases, are the thermal and cold effects of steam and water. Heat, in particular, causes a number of changes in the skin, has a reflex and humoral effect on both individual organs and the entire body, including the nervous system.

This is what is used in the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It must be remembered that the gastrointestinal tract is functionally a single whole and a violation of the function of one organ affects the activity of all the others.

The gastrointestinal tract is connected with many other organs and systems of the body, for example - with the cardiovascular or urogenital, and its pathology can adversely affect their condition.

On the other hand, diseases and disorders in the functioning of other organs and systems (primarily the central nervous system) often cause disturbances in the activity of the digestive system.

The overwhelming majority of diseases of the digestive tract are accompanied by disorders of the functions of individual organs or their organic damage. As a rule, this is found in disorders of motility, secretion, absorption and intermediate metabolism.

Cold and heat have a direct effect on the excretory (secretory) function, motility and blood circulation of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract.

Changes in the activity of the gastrointestinal tract depend on the thermal effect of the bath and the reactivity of the body. Moreover, the effectiveness of thermal exposure is associated with the method of heat delivery to the body, air humidity, duration and alternation of exposure, types of water procedures. It is not for nothing that after a bath, for some stomach diseases, various types of mineral waters and juices are recommended for ingestion.

At the stage of cooling in the bath, one should take into account the peculiarities of functional disorders of the digestive tract (hyper- or hyposecretion, increase or decrease in the motor function of the gastrointestinal tract, etc.). As we have already mentioned, it is very important to observe the drinking regime after the bath, and in case of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, it is necessary to use a specially designed drinking regime, taking into account functional disorders and the need for fluid.

Bath procedures in cases of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are indicated for:

- benign diseases without impairment of basic functions (functional dyspepsia);

- gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer in remission;

- conditions after operations on the stomach and duodenum (after 6 months) without dysfunction;

- motor-evacuation disorders of the intestine (diarrhea-constipation) of a functional nature;

- conditions after resections of the small and large intestines (after 6 months) without dysfunction;

- the usual constipation with diseases of the stomach, duodenum, biliary tract;

- chronic cholecystitis without stones;

- functional biliary dyspepsia;

- conditions after operations on the gallbladder and biliary tract (after 6 months) without liver dysfunctions.

Bath procedures are contraindicated for the following diseases of the digestive organs:

- acute and subacute diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;

- chronic hepatitis;

- chronic inflammation of the peritoneum;

- cholelithiasis with frequent attacks;

- colostomy and enterostomy;

- neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract;

- melena and vomiting of blood;

- protocols.

By the way, persons with intestinal disorders are generally prohibited from entering the bathhouse. Moreover, swim in the pool. In accordance with sanitary requirements, in case of an uncontrolled eruption of feces into the water of the pool, it is necessary to immediately remove people from the water, close the pool for visits and take a number of special measures. These include active forced filtration of water, the addition of shock doses of disinfectant solutions to the water, and in some cases, its complete change.

Persons guilty of water contamination are subject to fines and, in special cases, criminal cases may be brought against them.

Urinary organs and kidneys

As already mentioned, staying in the steam room from the very first minutes causes an active skin reaction and affects the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, as well as internal organs, and causes a change in the secretion of hormones. In turn, changes in the activity of the kidneys and sweat glands affect the homeostasis of fluids and electrolytes.

In general, the body's reactions to the impact of the Russian steam bath can be conditionally divided into two groups: fast and slow. Rapid reactions occur with the appearance of the first beads of sweat, slow reactions after the appearance of profuse sweat.

Rapid reactions are observed immediately after entering the steam room: due to a decrease in the tone of the subcutaneous vessels, the temperature of the skin begins to rise, which in turn leads to an increase in blood flow to the skin.

The parasympathetic nervous system is actively stimulated - a ten-minute stay in the steam room leads to a 2-fold increase in the level of norepinephrine in the blood plasma. The concentration of adrenaline also increases.

The activity of the kidneys also changes - the excretion of sodium in the urine is reduced by half and remains reduced for 6 hours after the bath. The excretion of potassium in the urine also changes, but it is less significant.

The manifestation of slow reactions is also not long in coming. After 15 minutes in the steam room, diuresis sharply decreases: the volume of urine excreted by the kidneys becomes minimal and remains so for 6 hours. At the same time, blood flow to the kidneys also decreases.

The water balance changes. A characteristic response to being in a steam room - exposure to high temperatures - is sweating, which causes a loss of sodium chloride of about 1.3 g. Simultaneously with this loss, the excretion of sodium and chloride through the kidneys decreases.

This book tells about prevention and rehabilitation procedures using the Russian steam bath, that is, about healing with the help of bath procedures. But in the arsenal of traditional healers there are original ways treatment with the help of a Russian bath of various diseases and, in particular, the treatment of the kidneys and urinary tract.

For example, the author of this book has met people who know how to remove stones from the kidneys and urinary tract, which are based on the use of honey, olive or sunflower oil, lemon, various herbs (in particular, half-fallen) in combination with steam procedures and special massage ... When treating with these methods, stones leave the biliary and urinary tract almost painlessly, without the use of any instrumental influence, and at the same time all side effects are completely absent.

With the help of a combination of bath procedures, poultices, applications and tampons from medicinal herbs, leaves and roots, healers treat uterine bleeding, resolve benign tumors, relieve hemorrhoids, impotence and infertility.

However, with all our desire to describe these methods, we have neither a moral nor a legal right, therefore, we will limit ourselves only to mentioning them and wish our readers who set themselves the goal of finding such people success and good health.

Bath procedures are indicated for the following diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract:

- chronic nonspecific cystitis;

- chronic pyelocystitis without signs of kidney damage;

- shallow urolithiasis with spontaneous stone release with sufficient water load;

- interstitial nephritis without signs of process activity with moderate functional disorders;

- chronic glomerulonephritis without signs of inflammatory activity;

- chronic tuberculosis of the kidneys and urinary tract without signs of activity of the process.

In the genital area with:

- chronic inflammation of the prostate gland (orchitis);

- with infertility (sterility) in men and women.

The bath is contraindicated for the following diseases of the urinary tract and kidneys:

- acute specific and nonspecific inflammation of the kidneys and urinary tract;

- acute interstitial nephritis;

- stones in the kidneys and urinary tract;

- hypoalbuminemia;

- water-electrolyte disturbances.

Reproductive functions, gynecology and obstetrics

As we have already said above, the bathhouse played a special role in the life of many peoples. Including was the place where people were born and died. In the old days in Russia, it was customary to give birth in a bath, not only to commoners, but also to noble and even royal families.

The Maya and a number of other peoples of the world had similar customs. In the modern era, the old custom of “bathing families” is being revived, for example, in Finland.

It turns out that a sauna (and even more so a private, home) is a rather sterile "personal" family space. And for supporters of having children not in a hospital, but at home, this is an almost ideal place. Here, as in ancient times, there are good conditions for childbirth: plenty of water, constant temperature, no drafts, convenience in terms of hygiene for both the mother and the newborn.

But not only the place itself, but also bath procedures since ancient times were an important help in bearing and giving birth to a child. If during pregnancy a woman used the bath or sauna correctly, her childbirth was much easier, and in time it was accelerated by about one third compared to normal conditions.

Such mothers have much less pain during childbirth, for the elimination of which it is necessary to use antispasmodics and analgesics, that is, childbirth takes place against a more natural, drug-free background.

There are many reasons for this: psychological (less tension caused by the need to change the situation in one of the most disturbing moments of life), physiological (associated with the improvement under the influence of bath procedures and temperatures of the elasticity of the musculo-ligamentous apparatus and elimination of tension). It is also worth mentioning the positive effect of the bath on the autonomic nervous system.

Regular and correct adoption of bath procedures allows women to avoid many unpleasant complications associated with pregnancy. In particular, more than one third of women get varicose veins during pregnancy. When visiting a steam room, these disorders are significantly reduced - experts associate this with an increase in the tone of the cardiovascular system, which in turn helps to reduce the risk of varicose processes.

Women who visit a bath or sauna are less likely to suffer from thrombosis and their complications, because the bath has a positive effect on blood clotting.

In pregnant women who attended the bath, there was a decrease in headache, fatigue and gastrointestinal disturbances. The course of some infectious diseases was significantly alleviated in women who regularly visit the steam room (for example, influenza in such women is much easier and is not accompanied by complications).

Under the influence of bath procedures during pregnancy, a number of skin diseases (urticaria, dermotoxicosis, itching, etc.) recede or disappear altogether.

It has already been mentioned in this chapter that breastfeeding mothers, after visiting the bath, showed an increase in lactation in 80% of cases.

Sauna and steam bath can be successfully used in the treatment of chronic gynecological diseases. In connection with an increase in cutaneous blood circulation, the inclusion of redistribution and compensatory mechanisms that change blood circulation in the internal organs, there is an improvement in blood circulation in chronic diseases of internal organs and the removal of inflammatory components from the tissues.

The use of broom massage for women has its own characteristics.

For women who have recently undergone gynecological operations and other interventions, especially abdominal or cosmetic operations, broom massage, like all other types of massage, is prescribed with caution.

True, broom massage, if done wisely, can be much more useful and safer than hardware or manual. The main thing is not to reduce all his techniques to mindless whipping.

Well-chosen and properly soaked brooms for women should be used for techniques such as “sweeping,” “hot wave,” “steaming,” “stroking,” gentle patting and gentle rubbing. In this case, the broom should not be too rough and have bare branches. It is better to use a combined birch-eucalyptus or young, well-steamed oak broom.

It is also worth remembering that women, due to the physiological characteristics of the structure of their body, lose heat faster and, accordingly, are more easily supercooled, therefore, a higher temperature in the pool and shorter cold and water procedures are desirable for them.

In obstetrics and gynecology, bath procedures are indicated for:

- primary and secondary sterility and infertility;

- dysfunction of the ovaries and related disorders of the functions of the uterus;

- primary and secondary amenorrhea;

- ovarian dysmenorrhea and insufficiency;

- chronic inflammatory diseases of the internal genital organs;

- chronic complications after termination of pregnancy;

- climacteric syndrome with tolerance of hyperthermic procedures;

- normal pregnancy - until childbirth.

The bath is contraindicated for:

- acute inflammatory diseases;

- conditions after recent surgery;

- complicated pregnancy.

Pediatrics

For a long time in Russia, children attended the bathhouse along with adults. Many of us can remember how, when we were little, we went to the bathhouse with one of our parents. It is interesting to note that young boys, as a rule, go to the bathhouse first with their mothers, and later with their fathers, but girls - only with their mothers.

In many countries, it is still practiced to visit the bath together without gender separation. This plays an important role in sex education, teaches us to moral restraint and normalization of relations between the sexes in everyday life.

Baths and saunas are actively used in a number of countries around the world as a preventive and therapeutic complex for the prevention and treatment of a number of childhood diseases - respiratory, rheumatic, skin diseases, etc.

A visit to the bathhouse is allowed for almost any child in the absence of contraindications. Bath procedures can be taken, starting from young infants, once a week. This, of course, only means that a small infant can be brought into a slightly heated steam room for a short time, easily massaged with a special soft broom, and then washed in a warm bath. In this case, the total time of the procedure should not exceed the usual bathing time, and the physical condition of the child, according to the doctor, should be normal.

But for children, a certain mode of taking bath procedures must be observed. To begin with, it is necessary to limit the time the child spends in the bath, the temperature in the steam room should be reduced, the children should be placed on the first or second shelf, after the steam room the child should not be exposed to prolonged and significant cooling.

The temperature in the steam room should not exceed 60 oC, the humidity should be reduced, the child should be sent to the pool at a water temperature of at least 20 oC and for no more than a few minutes. For beginners, it is better to limit yourself to pouring cool water from the gang.

Children's broom massage is a very useful and necessary procedure for a growing organism, but even here a careful and individual approach is required. For small children (up to the age of six), only stroking, sweeping, light steaming and warming up with a well-steamed soft broom should be used. It is better that it be birch, eucalyptus or combined. You can, of course, use oak brooms, but on condition that adults have already steamed them and they have become soft, but at the same time they have not lost their foliage and will not scratch the child's delicate skin with bare branches.

You should definitely take care of the thermal protection of the child: there should be a hat on the head, preferably a ski hat, made of thick knitted wool, but you can also use felt, felt or from another "breathable" and sufficiently heat-resistant material. Be sure to lay a rug or towel on the hot shelves.

Add fragrances and substances for inhalation to the steam with caution, taking into account the possible allergic reactions of modern children to herbs and substances that are potent in conditions of high temperatures (for example, menthol, belladonna and valerian preparations, etc.).

Of the rubbing, soft ones that do not cause too active a reaction are allowed, for example, honey-soda, honey-oil (rustic butter with honey in a 1: 1 ratio), as well as fat-based ointments with birch tar. It is better not to apply such potent agents as mustard or turpentine ointments, as well as coarse-structured or crystallized substances such as table salt to children in the bath.

In no case should a child be forced to take bath procedures according to the principle "endure - fall in love"!

Not only will this forever turn the child away from such a useful thing as a bath; such behavior will cause deep psychological trauma to the child and, instead of treatment and hardening, will only bring harm.

As a nonspecific treatment, a bath procedure can be prescribed for a child suffering from diseases of the upper respiratory tract, diseases of the skin, musculoskeletal system and some others.

In early childhood, it can be dangerous to visit the bathhouse with hidden metabolic disorders in the body, as well as hidden damage that has arisen during pregnancy and childbirth.

If a child develops convulsive states in the bath, this may indicate a pathology of the central nervous system. The appearance of cardiac arrhythmias is also possible. And with congenital heart defects, it is better not to take the child to the bathhouse at all.

In any case, an adult must always be in the bath next to the child, preferably with at least the rudiments of medical knowledge, and at the first signs of deviations, immediately stop bathing procedures. If the child suddenly begins to feel worse, it is better to call a doctor immediately.

Relative contraindications to the use of bath procedures for children are:

- chronic kidney disease;

- diseases of the urinary tract;

- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;

- liver disease;

- endocrine disorders.

Contraindications to the use of bath procedures for children are:

- acute infectious diseases accompanied by high fever;

- seizures of various origins (after perinatal injuries, with all forms of epilepsy, after trauma and surgery in the head area);

- oncological diseases;

- lipoid nephrosis;

- subacute and chronic disorders in the proximal or distal tubules;

- progressive interstitial pulmonary fibrosis;

- idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis;

- common bronchiectasis.

It is not allowed to use bath procedures until the complete elimination of purulent or weeping skin diseases.

Bath and medical rehabilitation

As you know, medical rehabilitation aims to restore health and working capacity after various diseases, including chronic ones, as well as in postoperative conditions. At the same time, physiotherapeutic, balneological and rehabilitation methods are used.

These methods should mutually complement each other so as to line up in a comprehensive rehabilitation program.

Bath procedures are a complex physiotherapeutic tool, in which heat, followed by cooling and physical relaxation, have a complex effect on the body. It is in this capacity that the bath is widely used in the field of physical therapy, the prevention of a number of diseases, the restoration of strength for both athletes and everyone who needs it.

At the same time, speaking about the rehabilitation of athletes and persons engaged in hard physical labor, they often forget that a huge number of people employed in so-called “light” (in terms of physical strength) jobs are in no less need of rehabilitation.

Representatives of various "intellectual" professions - highly qualified specialists in the field of electronics, automation, scientists, engineers and technicians, teachers, doctors, operators, workers servicing automated systems, in a word, a number of modern specialists, due to the specifics of their professional activities, suffer from such widespread modern diseases such as physical inactivity, disorders in the cardiovascular system, hypertension, overweight, etc.

Bath procedures, like all physiotherapeutic procedures, are primarily used to renew the homeostasis in the body. As you know, each disease, especially of a chronic nature, leads to shifts in the vegetative balance - a violation of homeostasis. This balance can be restored both with the help of medications and under the influence of physiotherapeutic procedures, among which the bath takes a special place.

The bath, included in the system of rehabilitation physiological procedures, should be perceived precisely as a therapeutic agent, and in this regard, it is necessary to adhere to the rules of visiting it, namely:

- accurately observe the time spent in the steam room;

- maintain a certain temperature and humidity in the steam room;

- strictly adhere to the sequence of the prescribed bath procedures;

- precisely maintain the time spent in the pool and taking other contrasting temperature procedures.

A good effect can be obtained by using a bath in combination with other physiological procedures, for example, massage, solarium, etc.

Sauna: sports and hardening

The value that the bath has for hardening the body can hardly be overestimated. Thanks to the effects of bath procedures, it is possible to achieve the appearance of adequate vascular reactions to the effects of the external environment. As a result, the body's adaptability to frequently changing environmental conditions, including high and low temperatures, increases.

It is not without reason that many scientists who study the phenomenon of endurance of the best representatives of the peoples of Russia explain the high physical stability of those who inhabit its vast expanses precisely by the influence of the Russian bath.

Bath procedures are a powerful prophylactic complex that enhances hardening. Those who regularly visit the bathhouse are less likely to develop inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract, paranasal sinuses, tonsils and lung tissue.

The main mechanism of the positive effect of the Russian bath is its effect on the cardiovascular system, the load on which, with regular visits, contributes to its strengthening and training.

The cardiovascular system is primarily affected by the temperature and time spent in the steam room, the method and method of cooling, the number of visits to the steam room, the total time of the procedure, the number of visits to the bath.

The bath provides the necessary load on various body systems, which can be dosed and used as a training complex. If you believe the common saying, one visit to the bathhouse can be compared to a race at a distance of three kilometers. Indeed, a sauna and a steam bath affect the body in the same specific way as running (changes in the level of metabolism, muscle response, stress on the heart, etc.). Of course, running has a slightly different effect on the body, but there is some truth in every joke.

The bath has a powerful tonic effect not only on the physical, but also on the mental sphere of a person. Therefore, a visit to the bath is very useful both for those who are engaged in hard physical labor and sports, and for those who lack physical activity.

For athletes who use the bath and sauna to relieve both physical fatigue and emotional stress, it is better to visit the bath immediately after such stress, but the regime of bath procedures in this case should be moderate. The bath brings relief from pain in muscles and joints arising after exertion, causes emotional relaxation, deepens sleep, increases appetite, which leads to improved mood and well-being.

When choosing a bath as a therapeutic physiotherapeutic complex, it should be remembered that a bath is a certain load and its degree depends on the duration and intensity of heating and cooling, the order of their alternation, the frequency of visiting the bath (sauna) and other factors.

Of course, the portability of the bath should be taken into account. by different people, their different adaptability to bath procedures. The timing of the procedures is also important. It is best to visit the bathhouse in the evening, so that you can fall asleep soon after. If you have to visit the bathhouse during the day, you should lie down for 2-3 hours after the bath, and it’s good to sleep.

There are certain restrictions for athletes. For example, boxers can visit the bathhouse no earlier than 24 hours after the competition. This is due to the possibility of internal hemorrhages (including in the brain) resulting from the battle. This can lead to problems, including life threatening. The same applies to other sports in which athletes can receive similar injuries, especially hemorrhages, bruises and concussions of varying severity.

As already mentioned, it is advisable not to visit the bathhouse (including for athletes) on an empty stomach and not immediately after a hearty meal. It is better to do this no earlier than 1.5-2 hours after eating. You also need to be careful when visiting the bathhouse after exercise, accompanied by profuse sweating. You should not abuse the bath procedures for those athletes for whom it is important to maintain the weight category.

The use of a bath for the prevention of various diseases and general hardening of the body traces its history back to a long time, when there were no such words as “prevention” and “hardening” in the Russian language, not to mention the “body”.

18th century Spanish physician Ribero Sánchez wrote: "My sincere desire extends only to the testimony of the superiority of Russian baths over the ancient Greeks and Romans and over those now in use by the Turks, both for maintaining health and for curing many diseases."

The Russian bath amazed the foreign doctor precisely with its hardening and prophylactic effect. Indeed, in terms of hardening and prevention, even its closest "relative" - ​​the sauna - cannot be compared with the Russian steam bath.

The main disadvantage of a sauna in comparison with a Russian bath is too high a temperature and too low humidity, which leads to dryness of the upper respiratory tract, the appearance of a sore throat, desiccation of the mucous membranes of the throat, bronchi and even deeper respiratory tract.

The skin is also overdried, and in some places, for example, on the face, there may be persistent hyperemia of the skin vessels and the appearance of a "drunkard's nose" effect.

In a Russian bath, with its proper use, it is possible with high accuracy to achieve the necessary combination of temperature and humidity.

The Russian bath provides uniform heating of both surfaces and respiratory tract, which provides a good opportunity for hardening without the risk of side effects... The Russian steam bath does not dry out the mucous membranes, after a session of the Russian bath procedures, taken correctly, the head does not hurt, breathing is normalized, the sleep becomes deep and healthy.

The basis of the hardening effect is the exact observance of the contrast cycle of bath procedures: heating - cooling - rest.

In the first part of the cycle - heating - the criterion is the well-being of the steaming person. As soon as the bather feels uncomfortable and excessive perspiration, the steam room should be left in order to begin cooling. You can cool down both under a shower or a stream of water from the gang, and in a pool, a natural pond or on the snow.

After cooling down, it is imperative to rest, wrapped in a sheet, in order to reduce heat loss.

The specified cycle, depending on the state of health, can be repeated from 2 to 5 times. Some researchers (Ivanchenko) believe that the optimal time parameters of the procedure are as follows: 10-15 minutes in the steam room, the same amount for cooling, 20-30 minutes for rest. For ordinary visitors, it is enough to visit the steam room 2-3 times, for experienced visitors - from 4 to 5 times.

A modern person spends most of his time in dry rooms in more or less constant temperature conditions: in an apartment, public transport or a personal car. At the same time, he constantly overeats, abuses alcohol and tobacco, and moves little.

Therefore, he needs to eat right, observing the balance of vitamins, ascorbic acid, vitamin A in food, as well as minerals, namely calcium, potassium, iodine, phosphorus, manganese, etc. It would be nice to lead a healthy lifestyle, get rid of bad habits. avoid stress. And it is extremely important to constantly train the thermoregulatory abilities of your body by hardening.

The bath now occupies a rightful place in the range of preventive procedures, and it is increasingly being used to improve physical and mental health. At the same time, it is very important that the habit of bathing develops in the child from childhood and becomes an integral part of the lifestyle.

Hypothermia is the cause of a number of common diseases, and all categories of people are susceptible to them, regardless of gender, age and occupation. As a rule, these are diseases of the upper respiratory tract, inflammation of the tonsils of an infectious nature, which occur with excessive or prolonged cooling, and sometimes with overheating, and then with sudden cooling (swimming on a hot day in very cold water or when a person, warmed up, drinks ice cold water).

It is necessary to harden on the basis of your real capabilities, the natural characteristics of the region in which you live, as well as the state of the body (and here gender, and age, and occupation are already important). Many have adapted to carry out hardening procedures at home, but it is better to do this in special centers and complexes, one of which is a bath (sauna).

Special tours (trips) to recreational areas (forest, mountain, sea and climatic resorts) can be very useful, where there are factors such as temperature (snow, cold water bodies), next to which there may be warm rooms, and best of all - bath complexes.

Combine natural hardening factors well for optimal results natural environment with such effective artificial complexes as a bath (sauna).

Obesity, as it has already been clearly established, is one of the most dangerous risk factors leading to such formidable diseases as diseases of the cardiovascular system, diabetes mellitus, etc. response to extreme irritations (high temperatures, contrasting temperature changes, active physical influence - manual and broom massage, etc.). To combat obesity, the bath can be used in combination with unloading diet therapy (EAD).

For the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, the bath is good to use as a simulator of the cardiovascular system and an activator of metabolic processes in the body, which will allow you to get rid of excess fat and toxins in the body.

For a long time, doctors and physiologists have tried to find an answer to the question: why do many people start to feel worse when the weather changes? Now the answer has been found - the dependence of well-being on the weather (the so-called meteotropy) is directly related to such an important factor as the oxygen content in the atmospheric air. For example, with an increase in temperature and humidity, the amount of oxygen decreases, and with a decrease, it increases. Patients suffering, in particular, from cardiovascular diseases, are especially sensitive to the lack of oxygen, therefore, on such days they suffer from a deterioration in general well-being, headaches, sleep disturbances, etc.

A.A. Biryukov describes an experiment in which a group of meteotropic patients, after a medical consultation, was recommended to visit the bathhouse 1-2 times a week. After 6–8 months, 80% of respondents said that they feel much better, and some have stopped reacting to weather changes altogether.

Bath procedures have a prophylactic effect in the fight against neurotic and mental illnesses. At the same time, the therapeutic effect is achieved due to the relaxing, relaxing and strengthening of the nervous system by the effect of contrast procedures on the peripheral, and through it - on the central nervous system. This contributes to the achievement of somatic and mental peace.

The Russian bath is a universal, affordable and, most importantly, an adequate hardening agent available to almost everyone! It does not require any special efforts: you just need to come here.

Here a man entered the bathhouse, undressed - and the hardening process began! He takes a shower, receiving a thermal effect (38–40 ° C), as well as the first light hydromassage, combined with the initial opening of pores freed from sweat and fatty secretions. Then it goes into the steam room (65–80 ° C for a wet bath and 90–120 ° C for a sauna) and warms up as much as it can currently stand. Then she goes out and rests on a bench in the dressing room or soap compartment (20–28 ° C). After that, he enters the steam room again and begins to warm up for real (65–80 ° C for a wet bath and 90–120 ° C for a sauna for 5-10 minutes, and whoever can - even more). After leaving the steam room, he allows himself to plunge into the pool (from 15 to 25 ° C) for a minute or two, after which he rests again in a neutral temperature environment.

Thus follow, replacing each other, several cycles of heating - cooling - rest. And in the very form in which the most famous supporters of a healthy lifestyle recommend improving their health: in the nude. If you do not rush, do not overheat and do not overcool, then for several visits to the bath you can achieve impressive success: for example, you will not be afraid of the frosty air in a closed courtyard, you will calmly dry, like the author of these lines, standing in the icy wind. And the searingly cold snowdrift will seem to be one of the most desirable places on earth.

But what to do if winter has passed and you want to go to the bathhouse? Really interrupt such a pleasant hardening process? Of course not! In summer, the bath is no less attractive (for those who understand, of course!). And although the temperature contrast is not as great as in the frosty months, it is still sufficient compared to normal living conditions. Only if in winter we train our body for cold exposure and with temperature contrast stimulate the activation of defense mechanisms to combat cooling and its consequences, then in summer the bath procedure will help our body adapt to overheating and defeat the heat.

In addition to general strengthening standard procedures, special hardening complexes can be used in the bath. It is only necessary to first assess the state of your health, as well as your current physical form. Special hardening events in the bath usually begin after a good warm-up in the steam room. The main thing is that the temperature in the pool should not fall below 8-10 ° C, and the time spent in it should not exceed 1 minute. At the same time, you should not worry that you are "a little hardened" - the temperature contrast will do its job, the healing stress will launch the mobilizing forces of the body, and the process, as they say, will go.

But if you overdo it and decide to sit in the steam room for a longer time, and then swim for a long time (6-10 minutes) in a pool with a water temperature of, say, 18–20 ° C, then you risk catching a cold instead of hardening. It should be noted that while in the pool, you must actively move. If the feeling of cold is alarming, it is best to avoid head-on immersion.

In addition to the pool, a shower can be included in the set of hardening procedures. Rather - two showers located next to each other. In this case, the temperature of one must be set within 5 ° C, and the second - 45 ° C.

After a steam room or a hot shower, when the body warms up deeply, you need to stand for a few seconds (1-2) under a cold shower, then for 3 seconds under a hot shower, and again for 3 seconds under a cold shower. This procedure can be repeated several times, observing your well-being.

Contrasting thermal water procedures not only allow the body to adapt to changes in external temperatures and adverse weather conditions, but also are an excellent thermal massage for skin vessels. So it is for muscles and internal organs.

Warming up in the steam room relaxes the muscles and blood vessels, while the blood flows from the deep layers of the muscles and from the internal organs, the skin becomes bright crimson. Exposure to cold water leads to the opposite effect, when the vessels are compressed, pushing deep into the body up to 50% of the circulating blood, producing a kind of "internal massage", or "passive gymnastics".

When dealing with hardening procedures, it is necessary to avoid "pitfalls". One of them is the desire to jump over one, or even several steps, trying to speed up the hardening process.

When hardening, the main thing is to follow a few simple rules, but do it strictly.

The first requirement is gradualness. All hardening procedures should be started with small doses and increased gradually. It is better to choose a warm season for the start, when we calmly swim in open reservoirs and the body easily adapts to changes in temperature and the quality of the environment (cold-heat, water-air).

The second requirement is consistency. Only if this condition is met, each impact will leave its mark, its positive program in the central nervous system. If you have chosen any specific system, for example, a regular visit to a Russian bath, try not to miss a single week, on the one hand, but do not increase the number of visits, on the other. And the specificity of this technique lies in the fact that the hardening factors affecting the visitors of the Russian bath will systematically change in the direction of strengthening: with the onset of winter, the water temperature in the water supply network, bathing pond or pool will decrease, and over time, snow procedures will become possible. , which will significantly increase the contrast temperature gap.

Thus, the natural change of seasons in a systemic combination with bath procedures consistently, without sudden jumps and fractures, will adjust the body's regulatory systems. And the one who systematically visited the bathhouse will be surprised to find that he, who did not imagine how it is possible to walk on the snow without boots, will enjoy wallowing in a snowdrift, wiping himself with snow and diving into an ice-hole.

And the last one, the most important condition- constancy. Hardening procedures cannot be carried out by companies, "storms", "catching up" or "hardening for the future." As soon as a person stops hardening, its effect is rapidly lost, defensive reactions begin to weaken, and after several months of inactivity, everything will have to start all over again, gradually and systematically. And that "apostate" will be very sorry for who, having missed several months of hardening classes, decides to "shake off the old days" or show off in front of friends or girlfriends by jumping into a snowdrift or an ice-hole.

With all the unconditional usefulness of hardening procedures, you need to know and follow safety precautions when hardening:

- it is necessary to start hardening in any form only after consulting a therapist;

- Contrast hardening procedures should be avoided by people suffering from moderate and severe cardiovascular diseases: a sharp drop in temperature can cause them to jump in blood pressure and, as a result, increase oxygen consumption by the myocardium;

- if you feel unwell, fever, and even more so other serious symptoms in the hardening schedule, you need to take a break, and after recovery, return to hardening procedures gradually and consistently, after consulting a doctor;

- when swimming in an ice hole and taking snow baths, remember that in severe frost and on spring days, when the snow melts in the sun during the day and freezes at night, its surface can injure the skin, and the edges of the chipped ice in the hole can cut like shards of glass, and the pain from such a cut due to cold dullness of sensitivity is not felt immediately.

And the last, banal, but no less serious reminder: hardening and alcohol are incompatible! It is also not recommended to expose yourself to active hardening procedures for those who are taking a course of treatment with potent drugs.

Remember!

Only those who suffer from chronic forms of disease can be tempered; hardening is prohibited in the stage of any exacerbation.

Bath and sex

Unfortunately, when they talk about bath and sex, everyone has a strong association with bath prostitution. The history of bath prostitution is rooted in the deep past. And in ancient times, and in the modern era, and in the East, and in the West - always and everywhere you can find evidence that sex was often combined with a bath. But it is in this sequence - sex with a bath, and not a bath with sex.

For example, in ancient times, in public Roman baths, it was strictly forbidden to engage in prostitution, both male and female. The bathhouse was equated to the temple. But antiquity is antiquity, its free morals still amaze us with the degree of their freedom. Therefore, there existed such a phenomenon as temple prostitution (priestesses of the goddess Astarte, for example, on the days of her holidays, were given to everyone on the steps of the temples). And at the same time, even some emperors who were famous for their debauchery (Caligula, Heliogabalus) had their own baths for prostituted boys and men.

Nevertheless, public baths were protected from such activities by law. True, according to the testimony of contemporaries, lovers of same-sex love could meet their future lovers there, but there could be no talk of consensual sex or prostitution in the baths. The bathhouse and brothel have always been separated and never mixed. Maybe because sex has always been considered a dirty business in the truest sense of the word. Many peoples had a custom of cleansing and washing both before and after making love, which is why young people were sent to the bathhouse both before the wedding and after the wedding.

Alas, modern customs in our country have surpassed even corrupted antiquity! We have any sauna, and many public baths, after the end of the bathing day, rent out their apartments as "rooms" to everyone for a fee. At the same time, “jobs” are provided for call girls. What to do! If there is demand, there will be supply.

Leaving aside the issue of bath and prostitution, let's consider some rules for combining sex with bath procedures.

If there are bath rooms where you can relax in pairs, you should not deny yourself and your partner the pleasure. And although here, as they say, there are no comrades for taste and color, we will take the liberty of giving some general recommendations.

1. Do not rush, first take out the whole range of pleasures from ordinary bath procedures: regular massage, broom and soap massage. The latter can be carried out not only with a broom or a sponge, but also with your hands. For example, lather your girlfriend from head to toe, embrace her, clasping her arms, and massage her to her full height in a standing position, then lowering, squatting, then rising - both from the back and from the front. A rare woman will not get pleasure from this.

2. Steam each other with brooms, having thoroughly steam them beforehand. Use an exciting range of aromas in the steam room (rose oil, for example). Women are very fond of sweeping, stroking with brooms and steaming. Do not rush to demonstrate your prowess and scope by whipping your friend with a broom with all your might (unless, of course, she loves sadomasochistic games!). Take care of her chest and face.

3. If the pool is not very cold, play in the water - it is very relaxing and exciting at the same time. Just be careful: women cool down and catch colds much faster!

4. After steam and water procedures, be sure to lie down and rest, drink something cool and low-alcohol (dry or semi-dry wine, for example, or a little champagne), have a snack with fruits, pastries, drink tea.

5. Only when the heart and blood vessels have calmed down, sweating has ceased, and light wine and tea have warmed the stomach from the inside, can you make love. Make sure to prepare the rest room in advance so that there are clean dry sheets, pleasant music sounds and the air is as fresh and fragrant as possible. (You can entrust this stage to women, they do such things better than making steam!)

After sex, do not rush back to the steam room, and even more so to the pool. Relax (for men it is better to take a dozen or two minutes nap, this dream is very healing!), Take a shower, have a cup of tea with lemon or honey - and you can steam and swim again.

Remember!

Have sex in a steam room, in a cold pool, and in a state of strong alcoholic intoxication- especially in cold water and at elevated temperatures - extremely hazardous to health!

This is particularly the case for older people or people with a history of cardiovascular disease. Believe me, many years of experience allows us to recall many stories when such fans of extreme sex (of both sexes!) Were carried out of steam rooms and swimming pools on a stretcher by an ambulance brigade.

Do not rush, do not be "extreme", treat your body with attention, and your partners - with respect and love. Observe in all measure: both in bath procedures, and in sex; do not overeat and do not get drunk to a bestial state - and a visit to the bathhouse with your loved one will bring you many unforgettable minutes and hours, enrich with new sensations, and give you a long feeling of purity, youth and health.

Enjoy your steam and synchronized orgasm!

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The relaxing, healing and healing properties of the bath have been known for a long time. Steaming in a Russian bath implies a wonderful pastime with health benefits. The bath has a beneficial effect on the general condition of the entire human body, but here you need not overdo it. Very often, bath lovers are self-medicating, which can turn into serious problems. It is possible to be treated with the help of a Russian bath, steam room and birch brooms, but be sure to consult a doctor.

Bath and work of the heart

By visiting a Russian bath, you train your heart muscle. Its contractions begin to occur more often than in your standard state. This, in turn, accelerates blood circulation, which means that it increases the efficiency of the functioning of both the heart and other internal organs.

A visit to a steam room with brooms enhances the effect: your heart will contract even more often. Well, dousing with cold water has the opposite effect. Together, both of these procedures harden the body, and you become more resistant to various diseases.

Bath and respiratory organs

The respiratory organs are affected by hot steam, which, getting inside, stimulates the work of the mucous membranes. Vaping procedures have a great effect on the breathing processes and increase the vital capacity of the lungs.

Russian bath - therapy for the respiratory tract. Carrying out such a pleasant prophylaxis helps to increase resistance against diseases and has a beneficial effect on the condition of the bronchi. The bath is best suited for the prevention of flu and colds, as well as for the treatment of chronic respiratory diseases.

22.03.2013

The Russian soul is simply made for a bath. Despite the introduction of saunas and water parks into our life, the bathhouse does not lose its significance. Here you can relax body and soul, lose the burden of the past day, meet with friends and just dream! When choosing a bathhouse for regular visits (baths are different), it is important to know how the bath affects your health, and in this case, specifically on yours.

People who suffer from any diseases should be treated with extreme caution in the bathhouse, because a non-rational approach even to such a beautiful and useful room as a bathhouse can provoke an aggravation of the symptoms of chronic diseases.

Which baths are the most popular now

To date, the most widespread are two types of baths, which are called Russian and Finnish. The difference between them is very significant.

Russian sauna

This means a wooden structure in which hot stones are poured with water and at the same time it turns into steam (hence another name for such a bath - steam room). The characteristics of such a steam bath are comparatively low temperature, which ranges from 50 to 60 degrees Celsius and high humidity, which most often reaches 100%. In turn, this temperature allows a visit to the bath in cases where the sauna is prohibited.

The Russian bath does not lose its relevance, despite the newfangled counterparts.

Sauna or Finnish bath

The second name of the Finnish bath is a sauna. Sauna is characterized by the fact that it uses low air humidity (no more than 15%) and the temperature in it can reach 120 degrees Celsius.

Sauna is very popular nowadays. Such establishments "grow" like mushrooms after rain and attract visitors. equipped with a spacious swimming pool, in addition to the steam room, there can be billiards and several rooms for relaxation and feast. Probably, people come to saunas for this rather than for health purposes. Although, if the medicinal properties of modern saunas are used correctly, you can not achieve bad result- will rejuvenate and strengthen your body.

The sauna is characterized by low humidity and dry, hot air.

Turkish hammam

It is even softer, thanks to this it has practically no contraindications. The average temperature here is 35-50 degrees Celsius, which is a distinctive feature.

Turkish hammam is softer.

Hammam procedures help to improve blood circulation, relieve fatigue, and cleanse the skin. By the way, such effects are not a myth, but scientifically proven medical facts.

Where will you go?

Before choosing a particular type of bath, you need to find out how much this or that type of bath suits you, read the information on this topic, and perhaps even consult a doctor. Based on this, it will not be difficult to choose the most suitable place for yourself. Now you can safely visit such an institution, while not just relaxing, but also gaining health.

A steam bath is considered more difficult than a sauna. This can be explained by the fact that the increased humidity of the air in the bath at a lower temperature prevents a sufficiently rapid cooling of the body due to the fact that the radiation of heat by the body and sweating are reduced. In a sauna, the opposite is true. The hot and dry air of such a bath increases the body's perspiration. This type of sauna will be interesting for those who want to lose weight quickly. And weight loss is provided due to a very intense release of moisture from the body.

A little about the history of the bath

According to the generally accepted theory, it is believed that words from a similar word in Latin are balineum. Baths are lost with their roots in the mists of time. Whatever it was, but a person has always had a desire to be constantly beautiful, clean and healthy. That is, water procedures have always been an integral part of human life. In ancient Rome, baths were very popular, which were a system of pools, each of which had its own, strictly defined water temperature. As the historical chronicles testify, Russian baths, or rather, their prototypes, began to appear as early as 1000 - 1100 AD. And even then it was known that the effect of the bath on health is only positive with the right approach. The Turks and Japanese in this regard did not lag behind our ancestors and developed their own similar systems. The Turks built baths from this building material like marble, it was heated and received heated air with a temperature of up to 70 degrees Celsius. For the Japanese, everything was much simpler: they often used a wooden barrel, which was simply filled with cold water, and then it was heated to temperatures of about 60-70 degrees Celsius. And the Japanese call such a bath ofuro.

From the above, it follows that every nation strove to become clean and take care of their health, using a bath. But at the same time, each did it in his own way, according to his own method. The principle of operation of each of these baths is similar - with the help of steam and water to cleanse the human body.

The bathhouse occupied a special place in the life of our ancestors.

Studying the history of the bath, it is impossible to point out with sufficient concreteness the area and place where the culture of taking hot baths originated. It can be seen even from the names - Russian bath and Finnish sauna, Greek laconicum and Roman baths. Many historians begin counting the development, from where it migrated to the Byzantines, then was taken over by the Romans and spread further from them. True, it is problematic to fit a Japanese wooden bathtub and a Russian bath into this version. In all likelihood, regardless of the place of residence, each nation in its development came to the moment of the invention of its bath and its culture of visiting it.

The undeniable healing effect noted by our ancestors

The beneficial effect on the general physiological state of a person was noted both by the ancient Egyptians, who were among the first to build public baths, to the Tibetan monks, who, having reworked the ancient culture of the Chinese, identified a separate type of treatment based on taking hot baths. In ancient India, for the first time, massage and hot bathing were combined, about which there is a recollection of the traveler Petit-Radel, who described the procedure for kneading a "steamed body".

After the campaign in Egypt, Alexander the Great ordered the construction of baths, similar to the Egyptian ones, throughout Greece. These baths had hot floors and turned over time into hospitals that were available to both the rich and the poor.

Sayings of the ancients about the bath

The ancient Roman healer Asklepiad, who was nicknamed "Bather" for his devotion to the art of bathing, widely advocated the use of the bath in medicinal purposes, noting not only its hygienic properties, but also its complex effect on the body, especially in combination with massage, diet and light gymnastic exercises.

The historian from Byzantium Procopius of Kessaria noted in his writings that throughout the life of the Slavs, they were accompanied by the cult of the bath, in which the newborn was bathed, the adult bathed regularly throughout his life and, leaving for another world, was bathed in the same bath.

The impact of the bath on health in our time

Regularly visiting the bathhouse, a person improves his general physical condition, reduces emotional stress, thereby improving sleep and appetite, removing the depressive state of the psyche. and for some dermatological diseases such as psoriasis, furunculosis, eczema, dermatitis, as well as for the elimination of post-traumatic manifestations.

The positive effect of bath procedures on the body

Today, a number of factors are known that indicate that the Russian bath has only a positive, so to speak, correct effect on the body. Among such factors, the following can be distinguished: hardening of the body, massage, calming psychological effect, strengthening of the walls of blood vessels, improving the condition of the skin.

Useful water treatments in the bath

Water procedures in a steam bath are characterized by the fact that they alternate, perhaps this is the healing effect. That is, a light, hygienic shower is immediately taken. Then you go to the steam room, then there is a cold shower, the last two procedures are repeated by some lovers of water procedures up to three times. So it turns out that the bath is warm, but the shower is already cool. Thus, the body is hardened, the skin is cleansed.

Massage effect of the bath

It consists in the fact that under the influence of steam, muscles, skin, and the whole body, increases the tone, the elasticity of each cell increases. And all this happens under the influence of a broom, which serves as a massage simulator. To improve the effect obtained, it is recommended to use various essential oils, such as lavender (to improve sleep, relieve pain, act as an antiseptic). Juniper is also effective (increases alertness, improves the state of the nervous system), rosemary (heals wounds, strengthens the cardiovascular system), fennel (improves digestion), eucalyptus (dissolves mucus and lowers fever). So this is not just a massage from a broom, but a whole therapy of aromas.

Bliss, calming the nervous system

The psychological effect of the bath is that under the influence of its atmosphere, steam and water, the body calms down. Even the appearance of water already has a calming and relaxing effect, because if a person looks at the water for a long time, he calms down (this is a generally accepted fact). In addition, the level of fatigue of the body decreases, the hormone of happiness - endorphin is released. Together with sweat, lactic acid accumulated in the muscles is removed in the bath, it also contributes to an increase in the body's fatigue, in this regard, it is worth getting rid of it periodically, and the less such acid in the body, the better. The bathhouse does exactly this - it relieves us of all unnecessary things.

The effect of the bath on blood vessels

The positive is expressed in the fact that they have a stimulating effect on the entire cardiovascular system. Under the influence of high temperatures, the vessels expand. Blood circulates vigorously throughout the body. Then, while taking a cold shower, the walls of blood vessels narrow. It turns out a kind of exercise for the walls of blood vessels. And this exercise shows how the bath affects health. And precisely from the positive, correct side. Indeed, in such a charge, the walls of blood vessels are strengthened, and the entire body is enriched with oxygen due to more intense blood circulation. That is, the body heals, becomes younger.

What will the skin say?

As you know, the skin also breathes. And in the bath, such breathing becomes more intense and due to this, the body is saturated with oxygen, the positive effect of which on the body does not need comments. Also in the bath the skin pores are cleaned. This is obtained under the influence of the high temperature of the ambient air, they expand and the accumulated dirt in them is removed without any problems. When you douche and wash with cold water, the pores are closed, being already cleansed. Isn't it a beauty salon? A real natural cosmetologist!

The main element of the bath

One of the main, if not the main thing in the bath is a broom. After all, it is he who has this or that therapeutic effect on the body. Therefore, his choice must be approached with the maximum level of seriousness and very thoroughly.

A broom is undoubtedly an integral part of the bath.

Most that are made from birch. The main advantage of such a broom is that it is porous and, due to this, absorbs the sweat that has come out. And thereby removes harmful substances from the skin of the body. In turn, hypertensive patients, for example, are recommended to use an oak broom. It's just that oak leaves have the ability to reduce pressure. If there is a desire to create a certain fragrant atmosphere in the bath, then you can use currant brooms. They have a pleasant aroma that will add a special piquancy to such a water treatment. Make it more enjoyable. If a person is sick with rheumatism, then doctors recommend him to make such a bath inventory from fir, in this regard, it has colossal medicinal properties.

Conclusion!

This article clearly shows how the bath affects health. It turns out that the bath is not just a water procedure for removing dirt from the surface of the body. This is already a whole style of life, which is aimed at improving the body, harmonizing the relationship between man and nature. In the bath, a person not only bathes, he relaxes and is distracted from problems. He also rests his soul, and this is also important, especially in our time, when it is not so easy to get rid of the accumulated stress. Visit the bathhouse, thus, you not only honor the ancient traditions, but you yourself become healthier and happier!