There is no doubt that soaking in a hot tub after a long day has its benefits. The warm water can ease pains and aches for folks suffering from pains in the low back area, fibromyalgia, and arthritis.
Despite these benefits, many still question the safety of this item. Many are concerned if the risks do not outweigh the benefits it provides. Out of concern, we have written this short article to address and answer the title question.
However, before we begin to address the safety and health risks, let’s look at some of the health benefits of using a hot tub.
Hot Tub Health Benefits
While the age-long debate between hot baths versus cold baths will continue to exist, having a hot bath soothes the body immensely. You can check out https://www.healthline.com/ to see the pros and cons of a hot shower and a cold shower.
When you take a hot bath, the heat from the water causes your blood vessels to expand. This, in turn, sends blood that is packed with rich nutrients to every part of your body.
Also, warm water can reduce swelling in your joints and also relax tight muscles. This is possible as a result of the buoyancy of the water.
It has also been reported in a research study that dipping in a hot tub has the potential to aid mental health; it reduces stress while promoting relaxation.
Now that we have covered this bit, let us look at the risks of a hot tub.
Hot Tub Health Risks
The following are some of the health risks you can be exposed to if you don’t apply caution when using hot tubs.
1. Infections
From 2000 to 2014, over 27,000 infections were connected to hot tubs and treated pools. Apart from the number of infected above, 8 persons lost their lives as a result of the infection.
What is responsible for this infection you might ask? Well, the cleanliness level of the tub has a huge role to play. You see, bacteria thrive in a moist environment, and a jacuzzi tub has such an environment. Therefore, if this item is not properly cleaned, it will allow bacteria to grow fast and unchecked.
Hence, before you begin to check out hot tubs online that you want to buy; you must first decide to keep the whirlpool bath clean and sparkly except you plan on culturing bacteria in the basin.
One of the bacteria types known for growing in these tubs is Pseudomonas which causes skin and hair follicle infections. Some of the symptoms of this infection include red, inflamed bumps on your belly area and other areas where your swimsuit covers.
The bumps can appear some hours or days after you had taken the dip. Furthermore, Pseudomonas is also responsible for the swimmer’s ear infection.
Apart from Pseudomonas, other germs that grow in the whirlpool bath include Cryptosporidium (sounds like cryptocurrency) and Legionella. The former causes GI infections and diarrhea, while the latter causes lung disease or a serious pneumonia type.
2. Pregnancy Conditions
Pregnant women are not encouraged to use jacuzzi tubs as the water temperature might be unsafe for unborn babies. It has been discovered through research that pregnant women who excessively use jacuzzis have a higher probability of giving birth to babies that have defects in the neural tube such as anencephaly and spina bifida.
Therefore, during the pregnancy period, you should stay away from dipping in tubs. If you must use this item, ensure that you reduce the temperature and don’t spend more than ten (10) minutes in the warm water.
3. Heart Conditions
Folks with heart conditions are advised to be careful as far as tubs are concerned. Soaking in excessively hot water will prevent your body from sweating. This is not good since your blood vessels expand to lower your body temperature.
When this happens, you will experience a drop in blood pressure level. Read this article to learn how to raise blood pressure. Your heart will then respond to this occurrence by beating faster. While this might not be an issue for folks with a healthy heart, it can be fatal for folks with heart diseases.
Tips to Ensure the Safety of the Hot Tub
1. Consult your Doctor
Pregnant women and folks with heart conditions should consult their doctors to confirm the safety of using a whirlpool bath.
2. Ensure the Tub is Clean
If you have a tub at home, ensure that it is clean. If you are using a public one, ask the management of the gym or hotel how often the tub is cleaned and whether chlorine and pH levels are kept at the recommended levels.
3. Turn the Heat Down
The temperature should not be above 104 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are suffering from a health condition, turn the heat down some more.
4. Don’t stay too long
As we said earlier, do not stay in the bath for more than 10 minutes per time.
Conclusion
Hot tubs are great and all that, however, they can pose certain health risks. Therefore, in the article above, we have discussed these health risks in detail and also provided you with safety tips you must follow.
