Ganesh Kendale
Be it a lazy morning after a holiday or the end of a tiring day, taking a warm bath can relieve you of many problems. But it doesn’t work the same for everyone. Therefore, while it is beneficial for some people, some may also have to face its side effects.
If your body craves a hot shower in the morning, you’re not alone. Many people like to take a hot bath to get ready for work again on lazy mornings after vacation. It not only removes lethargy but also relaxes the muscles. That’s why fitness freaks often relax by taking a hot water bath after a heavy workout or a tiring day. But it doesn’t work the same for everyone. It gives benefits to some people, while some also face problems related to dryness of skin and blood pressure. Here we are talking about the advantages and disadvantages of bathing with hot water.
Dr. Pankaj Verma, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Narayana Hospital, Gurugram says that bathing in hot water or lukewarm water has many benefits and also many disadvantages, first of all if we talk about its benefits,
Bathing with hot water can give you these 6 benefits (Hot water bath benefits)
1. Relaxation in muscles
Bathing with hot water reduces muscle tension and pain, which gives relief to the body. Hot water bath has a positive effect on the muscles as the muscles gradually expand, thereby increasing their flexibility. It reduces the crooked position and tightness of the muscles. It can especially reduce muscle and joint pain related to conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia. Beneficial after any kind of strain or injury.
2. Beneficial for heart problems
The problem of high blood pressure is increasing day by day. If ignored, this common condition can lead to serious health problems.
Hot baths can temporarily lower your blood pressure. It was found that submerging shoulder-deep in lukewarm water for 60 minutes temporarily reduced blood pressure in people. Regular bathing was found to reduce coronary artery disease.
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3. Improves blood flow
Bathing with hot water improves blood flow, which provides more oxygen and nutrients to the body parts. This helps in removing toxins from the body. This reduces swelling and also relieves pain.
4. Relief from stress
Bathing with hot water increases the level of endorphin hormones in the body, gives peace to the mind and reduces stress, which improves mental health. This reduces fatigue in the body, which gives mental and physical rest to the person. It helps in falling asleep and is also conducive to deep sleep.
Research published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapy found that participants who bathed twice a week felt less depressed after 4 weeks.
5. Deep cleaning of skin
Hot water opens the pores of the skin, which removes dirt and oil, and refreshes the skin. The cleanliness and glow of the skin improves. Skin care products applied after bathing are more effective.
6. Relief from cold and cough
Bathing with hot water reduces the symptoms of cold and cough, which gives you relief. Apart from this, bathing in hot water for a long time can provide relief from sore throat, runny nose and cough. Doctors recommend it to deal with diseases like snowphilia.
But there are some disadvantages of bathing with hot water (Side effects of hot water bath)
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1. Skin irritation
Prolonged exposure to hot water can dry out the skin and cause itching, burning or rashes. Hot water dilates blood vessels, which can increase skin sensitivity. If you have skin problems, it may aggravate their symptoms. If the temperature of the water is too high, there is a risk of burning.
2. Dehydration
Bathing with hot water can cause dehydration, especially if you are bathing for a long time. Hot water increases the body temperature, which leads to increased sweating and loss of water in the body. This can interfere with thirst signals, causing you to ignore your need for hydration, leading to an imbalance of electrolytes, which are essential for other body functions.
3. Fluctuations in blood pressure
Very hot water can cause blood vessels to dilate, which can cause dizziness due to a sudden drop in blood pressure. It works positively for high blood pressure patients, but can prove harmful for people with high blood pressure. This causes hormonal changes, which can affect blood pressure.
4. Heat Exhalation
Staying in high temperatures for a long time can cause fatigue due to the effects of heat. This may cause dizziness, stomach upset and vomiting. If symptoms are serious, consult a doctor immediately.
5. Harmful for pregnant women
Hot water bath can be dangerous for pregnant women. Staying in hot water for a long time can increase the body temperature, which can be harmful for the fetus in the first trimester.
Dr. Pankaj further adds that night time is suitable for taking bath with hot water. You should take many precautions while bathing. It is important to take care of the temperature and time while bathing so that you can avoid these risks while enjoying its benefits.
The temperature should not exceed 38 to 40 degrees Celsius, apply moisturizer on the skin after bathing, do not stay in hot water for too long. Keep in mind that the benefits and disadvantages of bathing in hot water depend on the health condition of the person, be sure to consult a doctor in this regard.
Also read – Oatmeal Bath: Oatmeal bath protects the skin from dryness and infection, know its correct method.
