Kidney
Sauna post-transplant
September 15, 2023
in Kidney
My kidney transplant was almost 2 years ago. All is doing well. I have loved my home sauna in the past and would love to resume using it this fall/winter. My transplant doctor suggests that would NOT be a good idea - not because of hydration issues, which could be managed but because the heat of the sauna could "cook" the new kidney, as it is located close to the skin and is outside the protective and thick peritoneal sac. He suggests that the kidney begins to "cook" around 106 degrees, which is far less than a sauna produces.
Has anyone had advice or experience with this issue?
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Brilliant question. I have used the sauna at least 20 times and am also 2 years out. Never even thought about cooking of my kidney, eeeek! I have made sure to stay thoroughly hydrated on sauna days with no observable side effects yet. I definitely have my eye on this post.
Does it count if your home is hot and it feels like a sauna during this heat wave?
Infrared has so many benefits one of them being immunity support. I used to be an avid infrared hot yoga instructor/ student & sauna sitter. However i’ve been told by my transplant team and my favorite Chinese medicine doctor that the infrared heat could potentially make us sick and/ or cause our immune system to start leaning toward rejection because of how strong it can boost our immunity. Doing more research. Sweating is fine & encouraged for overall health as long as we remain incredibly hydrated and replenish the water lost. But infrared is a whole other level. Definitely a great question & would love to hear from others!!
Transplant Patient
I've never heard anything about this! I wonder if this extends to other transplants, or just kidney? I don't use a sauna regularly but have on occasion, and this thought never even crossed my mind.
I wonder how this would be in cultures where saunas are more a part of everyday living. @Karin do you know how it is in Sweden?
I've been wondering the same @fern22! Also curious because infrared is known to aid with reduction of inflammation and joint pain (a common side effect of meds), so might be helpful in many ways if not too risky for rejection.
This is so interesting. I have never been told not to. Except the first year after the transplant. I will use the infrared sauna on occasion. It helps with my joint pain and keeps the lupus manageable. I have never thought to ask about the regular sauna. I think I will add it to my questions for my next doctor's appointment. Thank you for bringing this up.
Well, I see my Team tomorrow for my 2nd Kidneyversary. I will fill the head honcho in on this conversation. He heads the transplant department for Dartmouth-Hitchcock in NH. He has been adamant in the past, as there is no protection for the kidney just under the skin. I just spent a successful week in Mexico on the beach - using SPF lotion, SPH long sleeved clothing, hat & sunglasses. Bu my home sauna is sitting forlorn - just not worth the risk IMHO.
Transplant Patient
Hi everyone,
I love my home sauna, and have actually continued to do saunas through dialysis, kidney failure and now w a well functioning kidney. My Drs advised me not to do saunas while on dialysis and when in severe kidney failure due to the risk of fainting (dehydration/ vasodilation).
I used good judgement, and tactics like hydration before and after, notifying someone I was in the sauna, and never staying more than 10 minutes.
Regular sauna sessions have been shown to promote physical and mental wellness, even extend life. In fact the effects on hemodynamics are well studied by the Finns, a people where saunas are very prevalent, as they are in my native country of Sweden:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2130724
I have never heard about the risk of the kidney boiling inside your body in a sauna, nor in hot weather.
Thank you for your response. I read the article - which has nothing related to the placement of the transplanted kidney outside of the protective sac that the prior kidneys were located. The transplanted kidney is directly under the skin with no other protection. As to "hot weather" - I assume that would be around 100 degrees or so. A normal sauna is around 190 degrees, which is a whole 'nother story- and comes close to the boiling point of water. if anyone has a journal article as to transplanted kidneys in sauna's or temperatures around 190 degrees, I would love to see it. Thanks. This is a great discussion.
Transplant Patient
Pablo - The temperature of the kidney is maintained by its blood flow (temperature of blood) this maintains the balance at 96.6- 97. There could be a little problem with heat stroke ( mostly dehydration - not temperature change )
Wanting to come back around to my original comment as things have changed- I have been attending HOTWORX which is an infrared fitness studio. The benefits are incredible. I actually struggle with low white blood cell count and this is something my labs have proven to show are helping maintain a healthy level of WBC's. Its also been crucial for recovery and movement as I heal my abdominal wall and gain strength; loosening muscles, helping with chronic pain, etc. Its also proven to lower blood pressure and help promote healthier circulation. So many benefits. The most important part is to stay hydrated.
I think what my doctor said is not the temperature of the blood - but the temperature of the kidney itself as it sits right next to the skin. It is all about the peritoneal sac - the very thick membrane the protects the original kidneys, as well as many other organs. If the transplanted kidney is inside the sac, then the only real worry is dehydration. But it is not in the sac - it is outside the sac, up against the skin. And when the ambient temp is around 190 degrees......
Transplant Patient
Hi again Pablo,
the kidney is heavily perfused w blood and its temp is totally governed by the blood. The placement is important from a trauma perspective- eg if someone kicks your belly where the graft is / that could damage it.
I see my Team tomorrow -for my 2 year kidneyversary. Will run this by them again.
Hi, Here in Finland we are adviced not to go Sauna first weeks after the operation ( liver transplant ). After that no problem, I do go to normal Sauna 3-4 times a week. Wood heated or electrical with stones. Temperature is up to 110 celcius.
Love to hear this!! The sauna is a crucial piece piece of my wellness.
Transplant Patient
thanks for sharing! I love hearing how different countries address transplant protocols, especially taking into consideration the cultural differences. We learn so much from one another
Transplant Patient
Saunas are part of our culture - welcome @Piff !! So is Sisu and Lagom )). I am Swedish and have taken a sauna almost daily - throughout my transplant process… only helps me
OK - so I saw my transplant specialist last week for my 2 year Kidneyversary. Again, asked him about doing sauna's post-transplant. Again, he said that is not a good idea - and offered to send me medical journal articles relating to kidneys damaged by the high heat of a sauna. He also noted that kidneys are scarce, that I am fortunate to have received one - and why on Earth would I do anything to jeopardize the health of the "new" kidney.
I have a sauna at home - and I love taking a sauna. Especially in the cold of northern New England in the winter. But his answer is good enough for me - "why take the risk". So - until this topic comes up again or until someone produces a study that establishes saunas are NO risk to transplanted kidneys, I will (sadly) do a pass on this wonderful activity. I understand that others will disagree; that others are willing to assume that risk - just not me. I will continue to do all I can to keep my kidney healthy and working.
Transplant Patient
Sounds good Pablo!!
We all do what we can to take good care of our donated and transplanted organs / and we all do our best to accumulate knowledge based on medical literature, training, and advice from our physicians. Clearly there is a risk of dehydration and blood pressure falls in the sauna so we need to be careful.
Based on my years of medical training and based on the advice from heads of transplant departments across NYC, I feel somewhat confident that my new kidney won’t boil in my body when I take a sauna.
Transplant Patient
@Pablo @Karin i feel like this ties back into something I firmly believe, which is that we all make the choices based on the information we have on what’s best for us individually. I make a lot of decisions other people don’t agree with, but I’m making those decisions for me because I feel comfortable with that level of risk. What I’m ok with doing to my body might be different than someone else, and that’s ok! We’re all doing the best we can - doesn’t make anyone right or wrong. And I love discussions like this where we can bring up our differing opinions, respect one another and use information shared to make informed decisions about our own lives.
It's crucial to follow your transplant doctor's advice, as they have a thorough understanding of your medical history and specific condition.
If your doctor recommends avoiding the sauna due to concerns about the heat affecting the transplanted kidney, it's likely based on the potential risk of overheating or damage. Maintaining the health and function of the transplanted organ is a top priority.
However, if you're still interested in using a sauna, consider having an open and detailed discussion with your transplant team. They can provide personalized advice based on your medical condition, and they might be able to suggest alternative relaxation methods that pose less risk to the transplanted kidney.
Always prioritize your health and follow your healthcare team's recommendations for the best outcomes. If you have concerns or questions, discussing them directly with your medical team is essential.
I appreciate this conversation and the differing points of view. I tried "throwing" all your comments at the head of my Team - but he was not budging.😥 On the other hand, he had no problem with my week in Mexico, as long as I covered up sufficiently from the sun. So there is that!😎
I’ve had my transplant almost 37 years. I’ve used a far infrared sauna at my house for 8-9 years without any issues. It only gets up to 140 and I do 30 min sessions.