Bronchiectasis, asthma and saunas

[Patf1]

Hi I don't post on here very often, but I do read the daily posts and learn a lot, as well as enjoying the stories, art, photos and general chat. I haven't seen any poetry for a while though.😊

I have the opportunity to use a private sauna for a few days and just wondered whether this would be good for my lungs as I have bronchiectasis with asthma. I am well at present and want to stay well. I have googled and it seems that saunas do benefit people with COPD, but I can't find any information on bronchiectasis with asthma. I would appreciate anyone's knowledge or experience on this.

Have a nice day

Pat 😊

[Swizzy]

Hello Patf1 I have bronchiectasis but don't have asthma with it. I have had lots of saunas and also steam baths. I haven't found that either has affected my breathing. As you have asthma I think that is the condition that you need to bear in mind when deciding.

[Patf1 in reply to Swizzy]

Thank you Swizzy. I think that I have been told to avoid hot tubs, but I have always been a bit wary of those as they might be a bit germy! Before I was diagnosed, I did enjoy both steam and saunas, so I might go in for a short while the first day and then increase it daily.

Pat

[Swizzy in reply to Patf1]

Oh yes I forgot hot tubs! My doc calls them pseudomonas soup! I suppose from a germ point of you the hot dry atmosphere of the sauna might be the safest. Whatever you do, enjoy

[peege in reply to Swizzy]

Oh cripes, an asthmatic young friend used a hot tub on holiday this summer. On return he was very poorly indeed for weeks until legionnaires disease was diagnosed . I am never going to get in a hot tub and can quite believe the comment by Swizzy's consultant!

[Patf1 in reply to peege]

On my goodness! That makes me even more certain that I will never go ina hot tub! I hope that your friend made a full recovery.

[peege in reply to Patf1]

In his 30s, he was over two weeks in hospital & asthma really bad but I think he's okay now. ×

[Patf1 in reply to peege]

I am glad to hear that he recovered. Legionnaires is awful! xx

[Patf1 in reply to Swizzy]

Thank you Swizzy That sounds like an excellent description. I am thinking that I might try the sauna. Fingers crossed!

[peege]

Having lived in Sweden when young I loved saunas & then leaping off the jetty into a very cold lake! Later years when asthma 'turned' into needing inhalers I did struggle a bit in the gym's sauna. Chucking water over the coals helped. I think my lungs didn't like the hot, dry sauna air.

I think the only way is to try it and see. P

[Patf1 in reply to peege]

That sounds wonderful Peege! I am ok most of the time with my asthma and my preventative inhaler and rarely need my salbutamol, so I think I will try it out and see how I go!

Thanks for replying

Pat

[Ern007]

I have COPD and Astha and I would not use a sauna - Reason being I have travelled a lot abroad and could stand heat - I went to Corfu and had a horrid time - Was so humid it kicked of my asthma or COPD and being I had to go out with Anne and daughter, I had to put upwith it.At teh beach I would hog shade, but stillhumid but not as bad. As evening was turning into night, I felt better - Steamy,Sauna???, Humid Beach -Not for me, makes me ill.

[Patf1 in reply to Ern007]

Hi Ern I used to love hot weather but I am not so good with it as I have got older. I will try the sauna for a few minutes and see how I go!

[B0xermad]

Hi pat I have bronchiectasis asthma and copd and I cannot tolerate the steam of a sauna completely saps my energy and makes more sputum

[Patf1 in reply to B0xermad]

Hi Boxer I think that I will try the sauna for a few minutes and see how I go!

[teddyd]

I also have bronchietasis and asthma. I cant use saunas steam rooms or hot tubs. Make me very breathless. Thats just my experience.

[Patf1 in reply to teddyd]

Thank you Teddy It seems from everyone's response (thank you everyone) That we are all different! I am going to try it for a few minutes to see whether i can tolerate it.

[Alberta56]

Hi Pat, I have had a heart bypass and was told to avoid very hot water. Hot dry air makes me feel ill too, so I can't answer your question. Since we are all different I think you're wise to give it a small go and see how you get on. Who knows, your lungs might like it.

[Patf1 in reply to Alberta56]

Thank you Alberta. I think that I have just come to the same conclusion! There isn't a right or a wrong answer to my question.☺️

[Maximonkey]

Hi Pat, I have Bronch and asthma and wouldn't use a sauna because of the air quality. My consultant told me when I was first diagnosed not to use any showers Sauners etc. that are used by others due to my ease of catching infections. I hope this helps. Maximonkey

[Patf1 in reply to Maximonkey]

Hi Maximonkey Oh no, I had just decided to try it! 😐

[Collienut]

I too have bronchiectasis and asthma. I don't use saunas or hot tubs, mainly because even walking past a sauna can make my breathing worse. I did go in one once and struggled, ending with a chest infection. As it's steam/vapour I would also be worried about bacteria that might enjoy a stay in my lungs. xx

[Patf1 in reply to Collienut]

Hi Collienut Thank you. I am told that this one is a dry sauna, so I'm not sure whether it is different to the steamy ones?? But I do get bacterial pseudomonas having a party in my lungs now and then.

[watergazer]

Hi Patf1 I have both conditions and I use saunas, steam rooms and hot tubs whenever I’m on holiday without problems. I do find that the sauna can be too hot and dry so I only use it for maybe 5mins at a time. I think take it slowly and see how you go. If you feel wobbly or your breathing changes then come out Xx

[Patf1 in reply to watergazer]

Hi Watergazer Thank you, that sounds a sensible plan of action and I am not sure whether I will enjoy the sauna as it has been so long since I have been in one! xx

[watergazer in reply to Patf1]

It will depend on the heat too. I’ve found some to be too hot to sit in. Xx

[Patf1 in reply to watergazer]

I have been told it's set at 32 degrees, so like a very hot holiday? 😎

[moodygirl]

Hi I have bronchiectasis with colonised pseudomonas and my Chinese acupuncturist recommends saunas as the heat will kill the bacteria. I haven’t tried it yet but I aim to soon 😊

[Patf1 in reply to moodygirl]

Hi Moodygirl I am going to try it and see if it works for me. It does seem to be a bit hit and miss for different people.

[WheezleSneezle]

I have severe asthma (but not bronchiectasis) and I can't tolerate saunas. I live in Australia where the air temp in summer is often over 40 degrees and hot days mess me up too. There is a sauna in my apartment building but I give it a miss.

[Patf1 in reply to WheezleSneezle]

Thank you WheezieSneezie I don't think that I could cope with 40 degrees and I only have average asthma ( I have never thought about levels of asthma before as I hear about mild asthma and severe asthma, but I am neither!) I am going to try the sauna out and see whether I even like it.