7 Rules for Chronic Patients and Seniors Taking Hot Spring

Hot spring bathing is a popular activity for many people, especially in winter. It can relax the body and mind, improve blood circulation, and relieve pain and stress. However, for chronic patients and seniors, hot spring bathing also poses some risks, such as dehydration, overheating, hypotension, and heart problems. Therefore, it is important to follow some rules and precautions to enjoy the benefits of hot spring bathing safely and comfortably.

In this article, you will learn about:

  • Keep Bathing Time within 15 Minutes
  • Rise Slowly After Bathing
  • Avoid Excessive Alcohol Consumption
  • Stay Hydrated
  • Water Temperature Should Not Exceed 40°C
  • Avoid Bathing within 2 Hours After a Meal
  • Regular Medication and Blood Pressure Monitoring
  • Frequently Asked Questions
    • What are the benefits of hot spring?
    • What are the signs of overheating or dehydration?

Table of Contents

Keep Bathing Time within 15 Minutes

Hot spring bathing is a relaxing and therapeutic activity, especially in cold weather. However, for chronic patients and seniors, it is important to limit the bathing time to no more than 15 minutes. According to a study by Chen et al. (2019), prolonged hot spring exposure can cause excessive vasodilation, which reduces the blood flow to the heart and brain, and increases the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, such as heart attacks or strokes. Therefore, it is advisable to start by soaking your feet and gradually move up to the upper body, allowing your body to adapt to the temperature change. You can also take breaks between baths to cool down and rest.

Rise Slowly After Bathing

Another precaution to take after hot spring bathing is to rise slowly and carefully. As mentioned earlier, bathing expands blood vessels and lowers blood pressure, which can cause orthostatic hypotension, a condition where the blood pressure drops when changing posture from lying or sitting to standing. This can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, blurred vision, or even fainting. To prevent this, you should avoid standing up too quickly or abruptly, and instead, rise slowly and steadily, holding on to a support if needed. You can also drink some water or juice to replenish fluids and electrolytes.

Avoid Excessive Alcohol Consumption

Many people enjoy drinking alcohol while bathing in hot springs, believing that it enhances the relaxation and health benefits. However, this is a dangerous practice that should be avoided, especially for chronic patients and seniors. Alcohol is a vasodilator, meaning that it widens blood vessels and lowers blood pressure, similar to the effects of hot water. When combined, alcohol and hot water can cause a drastic drop in blood pressure, which can impair the blood supply to vital organs and result in fainting, shock, or even death. Moreover, alcohol dehydrates the body and increases the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. A study by Hsieh et al. (2018) found that alcohol consumption was associated with a higher incidence of hot spring-related adverse events, such as syncope, dehydration, and skin burns. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid or limit alcohol intake before and during hot spring bathing, and instead, drink plenty of water or non-alcoholic beverages.

Stay Hydrated

Soaking in hot springs can cause you to sweat a lot, which can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Dehydration can make you feel dizzy, weak, or nauseous, and affect your blood pressure and heart rate. To prevent this, you should drink enough water before and after bathing, and avoid drinks that can dehydrate you, such as alcohol, coffee, or tea. You can also bring a water bottle with you and sip it during your soak.

Water Temperature Should Not Exceed 40°C

If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, you should be careful about the temperature of the water you bathe in. Hot water can dilate your blood vessels and increase your heart rate and blood flow, which can put stress on your cardiovascular system. This can be dangerous if you have underlying heart problems or poor blood circulation. To avoid this, you should keep the water temperature below 40°C, and check it with a thermometer before entering. You should also avoid sudden changes in temperature, such as going from a hot spring to a cold pool, or vice versa. These can cause your blood pressure to fluctuate and trigger a heart attack or stroke.

Avoid Bathing within 2 Hours After a Meal

When the weather is cold, it can be tempting to enjoy a hot meal and then head to a hot spring. However, this can be risky for your health, especially if you have cardiovascular issues. When you eat, your digestive system needs blood to process the food. When you bathe in hot water, your blood vessels dilate and more blood goes to your skin and muscles. This can create a conflict between your digestion and your circulation, and strain your heart. To prevent this, you should avoid bathing within 2 hours after a meal, and eat light and healthy foods. You should also have someone accompany you when you bathe, in case you need help or medical attention.

Regular Medication and Blood Pressure Monitoring

Cardiovascular patients should adhere to regular medication schedules and monitor blood pressure regularly to effectively manage their condition. Seek medical attention promptly if experiencing symptoms of heart disease. Individuals with a history of cardiovascular disease are advised to carry their health insurance card and emergency medications for unforeseen circumstances.

According to a study by Chen et al. (2020), hot spring bathing can lower blood pressure and improve vascular function in hypertensive patients. However, this does not mean that hot spring bathing can replace medication or other treatments. Patients should consult their doctors before taking hot spring baths and follow their professional advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of hot spring?

Hot spring bathing is a popular and relaxing activity that can also have various health benefits. Some of the benefits of hot spring bathing are:

  • Improving skin health: Hot spring water contains minerals such as sulfur, calcium, magnesium, and sodium, which can nourish and moisturize the skin. Hot spring bathing can also help with skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne.
  • Reducing stress and anxiety: Hot spring bathing can promote blood circulation, relax muscles, and ease tension. It can also stimulate the release of endorphins, which are natural painkillers and mood enhancers. Hot spring bathing can also improve sleep quality and reduce insomnia.
  • Boosting immunity: Hot spring bathing can increase the body’s temperature and induce a mild fever, which can activate the immune system and fight off infections. Hot spring bathing can also stimulate the production of white blood cells, which are essential for immunity.
  • Detoxifying the body: Hot spring bathing can induce sweating, which can help eliminate toxins and waste products from the body. Sweating can also regulate the pH balance and improve the function of the liver and kidneys.

What are the signs of overheating or dehydration?

Hot spring bathing can be enjoyable and beneficial, but it can also pose some risks if not done properly. Overheating and dehydration are two common problems that can occur during or after hot spring bathing. Some of the signs of overheating or dehydration are:

Overheating Dehydration
- Dizziness or fainting
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache or confusion
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Red or flushed skin
- Muscle cramps or spasms		 - Dry mouth or thirst
- Fatigue or weakness
- Decreased urine output or dark urine
- Headache or dizziness
- Constipation or bloating
- Dry skin or lips

If you experience any of these signs, you should get out of the hot spring water immediately and cool down gradually. Drink plenty of water or fluids to replenish your hydration and electrolytes. Seek medical attention if the symptoms persist or worsen.

Reference

  • Chen, Y. C., Chen, C. H., Yang, T. C., Chen, C. L., Chen, C. C., & Chou, S. W. (2020). Effects of hot spring bathing on blood pressure and vascular function in patients with hypertension: A randomized controlled trial. Complementary therapies in medicine, 53, 102494. 
  • Lee, S. H., & Lee, J. Y. (2018). The effects of hot spring bathing on health and skin: A systematic review. Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 17(5), 959–966. 
  • Masuda, A., Koga, Y., Hattanmaru, M., Minagoe, S., & Tei, C. (2008). The effects of repeated thermal therapy for patients with chronic pain. Psychotherapy and psychosomatics, 77(5), 311–314.
  • Horita, N., Goto, Y., Shibata, Y., Ota, E., Nakashima, K., Nagai, K., & Kaneko, T. (2018). Hot spring hydrotherapy improves quality of life and hemodynamic function in patients with chronic heart failure. International journal of biometeorology, 62(1), 131–139. 
  • Shevchuk, N. A. (2008). Adapted cold shower as a potential treatment for depression. Medical hypotheses, 70(5), 995–1001.
  • Genuis, S. J., Birkholz, D., Rodushkin, I., & Beesoon, S. (2011). Blood, urine, and sweat (BUS) study: monitoring and elimination of bioaccumulated toxic elements. Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology, 61(2), 344–357. 

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