American orthopedic surgeon Sharon Hamm says, “A cold shower is one of the best ways for athletes to benefit from cryotherapy, especially after exercise, because anyone who exercises can experience these benefits. .”
She explained that showering with cold water is considered safe and poses no danger to healthy people, but if you have certain medical conditions, you should consult a doctor before taking a cold shower, and the most important of these cases include:
Urticaria or cold allergy is a skin reaction that occurs when the body is exposed to cold. Heart patients, as exposure of heart patients to cold water can increase pressure on the heart, posing a risk to their health. Raynaud’s syndrome is a condition that causes numbness or tingling of the fingers and toes when exposed to cold temperatures.
How to use cold water?
This means bathing in water with a temperature below 15 degrees Celsius for two or three minutes. Cold water bathing is not a major treatment method to treat a disease, but rather a procedure that helps lessen the severity of disease symptoms, as research on cryotherapy is still limited so far. .
Here are some of the potential benefits of taking a cold shower
fight colds;
Exposing the body to cold water suddenly after hot water will contribute to the stimulation of white blood cells responsible for fighting infections, infections and viruses that cause colds; Therefore, it is generally advisable to take care of exposure to cold water after taking a hot shower, even if it lasts a few minutes.
Reduce symptoms of depression
The results of some clinical studies have shown a positive effect of a cold bath in relieving symptoms of depression, especially in people who bathe in cold water daily for several months.
Some other studies have also reported the importance of cold showers in improving mood and reducing feelings of stress and anxiety.
Promotes blood circulation
The importance of using cold water is to increase blood flow, which occurs as a result of stressing the body to maintain its core temperature when suddenly exposed to cold water.
This helps to increase the flow of oxygenated blood rich in oxygen and nutrients to the affected parts of the body, which leads to the affected parts resting and therefore reducing the sensation of pain and other pathological symptoms, depending on what has said the American doctor.
Boost metabolism
Exposing the body to cold water makes it work harder to maintain its core temperature, which can lead to increased metabolism and therefore burn small amounts of calories.
Reduce inflammation and muscle pain
Blood vessels narrow once exposed to cold, helping to circulate oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to the center of the body and major organs, and after body temperature returns to normal , the blood vessels dilate and restore oxygen. loaded blood to body tissues, which helps relieve inflammation causing muscle soreness that can occur after exercise.
Topical pain relief
Cold therapy goes a long way in reducing pain, by reducing inflammation in the body, in addition to its role in influencing the way the brain analyzes pain.
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