Cold Water Swimming!

[Someca]

Hi. I’ve recently taken up cold water swimming or wild water swimming as some call it.

Recently it's been given quite a lot of "air time" on the TV and Radio so I thought I’d give it a go. Without going into obvious pros and cons. When I read about it on the internet there appears to be a universal claim it improves your immune system by (as stated on some publications) increasing your white blood count. Can someone point me in the direction of a Bona fide medical statement or publication that cold water swimming actually does this?

Not just someone’s theory on google.

Cheers All.

Ade

[AnneHill]

All I can remember is that years ago it was reported Russian people that did it lived a long life. Its been reported a lot lately, but for some its a long tradition. Anne uk

[LeoPa]

Wim Hof's method is a combination of breathing exercises and cold water exposure. Check it out. My friends do it and I believe it's very beneficial for healthy people. Not sure about CLL patients though. I hate cold water so did not try that part though I liked the breathing exercises. Word of caution, they can get the blood oxygen level down into the 50% range on the oxymeter. That's when the hypoxia high kicks in. I saw mine go to 54%. So I stopped doing them. Though they immediately recover once you start breathing and shoot to 100%. I stick to the Buteyko method now. It's less aggressive. Good luck.

[morepork]

But would those of us with CLL want to increase our white cell counts?

[LeoPa in reply to morepork]

If it boosts the healthy ones only, then yes. Problem is I don't know if that is the case.

[Someca in reply to morepork]

My thoughts exactly...

[Bubnojay]

That, more pork, is a good question as our CLL pushes up white cells on its own. Maybe one of our clever members will enlighten us, not that I am about too do anything as drastic. Shock can be very nasty.

Bubnojay

[Big_Dee]

Hello Someca

Well this should be interesting. I don't know how the physiology of the cold water swimming will help those with CLL. Happy New Year.

[MichelleHarris]

Yes my family is a follower of Wim Hof. My boys jump in the river Bollin everyday. Theyre there now. I do when at the coast but as a middle aged woman I bow to social comformity 😄

[BluMts]

As Leo says check out Wim Hoff for info on cold shock.. He's done tons of talks and interviews.. on YouTube and podcasts. When young, I did a bit of it, but not following any guru.. just that everyone said it was invigorating .. and it was. Now, with CLL , Ibrutinib treatment causing AFib etc., I feel a cold finish to a warm shower is fine. Just be careful with Wim Hoff, he is definitely an extreme type of guy.. and strong as a horse. Personally, I would NEVER follow his Hypoxia breathing that he suggests along with cold shock. The James Nestor book Breath covers different types of breathing. I'd say careful with real Cold Shock unless a very informed CLL specialist has said its fine for you.

[YelvertonDevon]

I’d read that it was a way to treat depression casereports.bmj.com/content...

But did find this

researchgate.net/publicatio...