Between well-being and overheating, the line is sometimes thin. Story of an extremely rare incident which reminds us how our body has its limits – and the gestures that save.
When the sauna turns into drama: a relaxation session that turns upside down
It was at a local gym that a woman in her sixties, a sauna regular, was found unconscious after a prolonged stretching session of approximately 45 minutes. When she arrived at the emergency room, her body temperature had reached 42°C. Her pulse was very high, her blood pressure low, and she had suffered a seizure shortly after being taken into care.
A regular athlete, non-smoker and without excess alcohol, she nevertheless suffered from type 1 diabetes and hypothyroidism — two conditions that weaken temperature regulation. Examinations revealed liver and kidney failure, as well as rhabdomyolysis, i.e. destruction of muscle fibers, and even a small secondary infarction.
The doctors immediately began intensive cooling: wet towels, ventilation, intravenous drips. Within two hours, the temperature returned to normal, but the patient remained confused for two days. After twelve days of hospitalization, she left the hospital, weakened but alive. The analyzes still showed some hepatic disturbances, but no major after-effects.
This case is not isolated: only nine cases of this type have been recorded in the medical literature, and three resulted in death. The authors of the study emphasize that:
“The prognosis for heat stroke varies depending on patient factors, particularly at the extremes of age. In older adults, classic heat stroke carries a mortality rate greater than 50%, and this risk increases with each additional organ failure.”.
The authors reiterate the importance of intervening quickly in such cases:
“Once heatstroke has declared, the determining factor in the prognosis is the speed of cooling: the time spent with a high body temperature is directly correlated with the extent of cellular damage..
Warning signs not to ignore
Dr. Kierzek explains that heat stroke occurs when the body temperature exceeds 40°C and that the natural cooling mechanism, perspiration, is no longer sufficient. In a sauna, this imbalance can occur if the heat exceeds 90°C, if the session is prolonged or if you do not hydrate enough. “It’s a terrible situation.”he summarizes. “The body is no longer able to protect itself, and the person collapses without warning“.
The warning signs should alert you: dizziness, headache, nausea, racing pulse, feeling of weakness, very hot or dry skin, confusion, even loss of consciousness. So many symptoms that can precede cardiac arrest.
“It’s not just a question of heat intensityadds the doctor. Dehydration, age or chronic illness can be enough to tip the body over the edge.”.
The most vulnerable are the elderly, those with heart or kidney pathologies, or those already weakened by exercise or an episode of fever.
In the case described by the BMJeverything happened in a few minutes: prolonged exposure, dehydration and extreme heat were enough to trigger a sudden thermal collapse. This scenario could affect anyone, Dr. Kierzek reminds, “because the heat acts like a progressive trap: we feel good, until the body no longer responds”.
Good reflexes that save — and how to avoid the worst
When faced with discomfort in a sauna, every minute counts. Dr Kierzek insists:
“You must immediately take the person out, place them in a cool place, remove their clothes and cool their body with damp cloths or a mister. If she is conscious, give her water in small sips, and call for help (15, 18 or 112)”.
This simple but crucial procedure saved the British patient. It illustrates how reactivity can reverse the course of heat stroke.
To prevent these accidents, a few actions are necessary:
- Limit the sauna session to 10 to 15 minutes maximum ;
- Drink water before and after;
- Avoid the sauna after a heavy meal, under alcohol or in case of fever;
- Never stay alone;
- Get up slowly at the end to avoid discomfort.
These precautions seem obvious, but they save lives. The case recounted in the BMJ demonstrates this: a simple well-being ritual can become a vital emergency. And if this story awakens new vigilance, it may already be a victory.