A hot shower can damage the brain and heart – a doctor

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There are different approaches to showering, and each one offers unique health benefits. Research is increasingly pointing to the benefits of, for example, a cold shower. Most people choose a hot shower with steam. This is usually due to the hot water flowing, which in turn causes rising clouds of steam to fill the room.

Steam provides many health benefits, such as improved circulation and stress relief. However, there are hidden health risks.

“Steam from the shower can cause dizziness,” explained Abbas Kanani, a pharmacist at Chemist Click.

This is because “the body's response to high body temperature is to move blood to the surface of the skin to cool it before returning it back to the core,” he explained. Feeling dizzy and light-headed can be a sure sign that steam is lowering blood pressure.

Dr. Kanani explained how steam can cause blood pressure to drop.

“During this process, the arteries expand, becoming larger than usual, causing blood to flow with less pressure.”

In addition to dizziness, nausea can also indicate low blood pressure, he said. Although it may seem harmless, prolonged low blood pressure can have serious consequences.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “extremely low blood pressure can deprive your body of enough oxygen to perform its functions, causing damage to your heart and brain.”

The optimal approach to taking a shower

More and more evidence supports the need to endure a cold shower. Research published in the journal PLoS One shows that immersion in cold water can help prevent some diseases.