Sweat is a gift of nature
Sauna trains the sweat glands. You may have read the title of this article and shaken your head. After all, it sounds almost unbelievable that sweating should help against sweating. However, it does. Many scientists have already proven this thesis in studies. We have investigated for you and tell you why this is so. We also provide you with valuable tips against hyperhidrosis.
Why do we sweat in the first place?
Before we look at how the sweat glands can be trained, we should clarify why people sweat in the first place. After all, sweat and the associated glands are one of the most ingenious systems we have at all. The fluid is one of the body’s highly effective protective mechanisms. Whenever it gets too hot, it tries to cool its valuable organs, which includes the skin. This role is supposed to be fulfilled by sweat, which is initially warm to the body, but then quickly becomes cooler when exposed to air.
In order for the mechanism to be activated, there are lots of nerve cells on the skin. In this case, they function like sensors. They sense that the temperature is rising dangerously high – and send a signal to the brain. This in turn triggers sweat production, protecting the body from overheating.
But we humans don’t just sweat when it’s warm. Many people also do so when they are excited. But here, too, the fluid protects against overheating. Inside the body, in this case, the heart pumps blood through the organism like crazy. It threatens to run hot, similar to an engine that lacks coolant. So the sensors kick in, and the glands produce sweat. By the way, it’s very similar with sports. After all, some of the body’s systems are running at full speed here, too.
But what about when we have a fever?
Only one question remains: Why do we sweat when we are sick or have a fever? Again, sweat is supposed to protect the body from overheating. The body is busy fighting viruses or bacteria. It does this with heat. But the body produces sweat so that we don’t get too warm.
Hyperhidrosis: When people sweat too much
Actually, sweating is a good thing. But there is also too much. Among us live people who are constantly bathed in sweat. In them, the function of the sweat glands is disturbed, they suffer from hyperhidrosis. In such a case, the body produces the cooling liquid even when it is not too warm at all. The disease occurs in different forms. The doctor makes the diagnosis on the basis of a special questionnaire and a physical examination.
Overweight is repeatedly discussed by researchers as a possible triggering factor. If people weigh significantly too much, the body has demonstrable problems maintaining important functions. This apparently includes the regulation of sweat production. However, it is not said that everything comes back into balance as soon as these patients lose weight. Sometimes individual functions have to be restarted by other means.
Women who are menstruating are also prone to excessive sweat production. However, this is not an indication of a disease. Rather, hormones are to blame. They cause affected women to sweat heavily, especially under the armpits.
Sweating against sweat
Anyone who suffers from a severe form of hyperhidrosis requires a medically supervised therapy. In mild cases, however, there is a very pleasant remedy: regular visits to the sauna.
Of course, here you will immediately start sweating profusely. But the vast majority of sauna-goers find this pleasant. Above all, this effect also trains the sweat glands. They are flexible. If the environment is very warm, they dilate so that a lot of fluid can flow out. When you leave the sauna, it suddenly gets colder. As a result, the sweat glands suddenly contract.
This interplay is a very good workout for the complex system, because it trains the elasticity of the glands. If you regularly enjoy a healthy sweat bath, you will sweat less, at least as long as it does not get too hot. This statement is based on scientific findings, for one thing. But many sauna fans also report that they have fewer problems with sweat in everyday life. Even on a hot summer day, fluid production happens at a normal rate for them.
Sauna facilitates temperature regulation during menopause
Most women are familiar with the unexpected occurrence of hot flashes and sweats, often interrupted by bouts of cold. During menopause, the body’s temperature regulation is disturbed because the production of sex hormones in the ovaries decreases. This is exactly where the sauna can be helpful: The high temperatures in the sauna, followed by cooling down in the shower or plunge pool, can train your body’s temperature regulation mechanism, reducing the frequency of hot flashes and night sweats.
