Nicholas Davis4 said:1.) They claim it's the flu (though we usually expect someone to know the difference between the flu and a standard virus or a common cold).
2.) They aren't looking to be convinced because they've already made up their mind based on an advertisement. By the way, most of this discussion is about a cold. People talk about home saunas too, suggesting they are good for prevention.
Then it turns out they don't actually have the flu.
And apparently, it doesn't matter to them anyway...
By the way, if you're dealing with sinus issues (like I am), just buy a home inhaler. It’s a great tool and really helps.
That first day when I told them I had the flu was the worst. I stayed in bed, then went to see the specialist the next day, only to be told it wasn't the flu because that would last much longer. All I got was some nasal spray.
I went to the sauna today and feel like a new man. I booked a session and it was pure bliss.
What do I know about the difference between the flu and a regular virus?
I provided the first links I could find; there are plenty more. Not a single other link or study mentioned here has convinced me why on earth I shouldn't go to the sauna.
And that's what I was trying to get convinced about today.
Man, what absolute nonsense to even ask about this in a PM...☕
Looking at these replies now, there’s nothing left to convince me regarding those links. In the end, I didn't go because I don't think I could handle sitting through four or five standard 15-minute sessions.
Yesterday, the LOM-ovka told me that based on these symptoms, it isn't even a typical virus for her, let alone the flu—just a slightly heavy cold.
As if I’d want to go back with other people, even just to get something done. I have a two-hour reservation and that's it. Besides, all sorts of people show up—unwashed, dirty, wearing slippers, with manicured nails, carrying water bottles, and no towels.
I go often, but it's more important to go when I'm not feeling well, like when my sinuses are acting up; I clear them out with a menthol combo and feel better.
I am vaccinated, so where did you even get the idea otherwise? And I certainly don't spit in the sauna like some peasant; I bring a towel to cover the area where I sit and where I put my feet, then I rinse my nose once I step into the bathroom.
I believe I’ll be feeling brand new tomorrow. I’m heading there before work since I work the third shift; I don't want to show up with a stuffed nose and act like an idiot every hour, running to the restroom like a drunk.
boldnomad45 said:I can't recall the exact source, but since I hit the saunas pretty regularly myself, I remember reading somewhere—maybe in a manual or some medical advice—that you should definitely avoid them when dealing with the flu or a virus. It's the hydration issue; you lose too much fluid, I think.
The logic holds for a stomach bug, too. I can't imagine sitting in a sauna if I were dealing with gastro issues, where breathing is hard and you're losing fluids through vomiting or diarrhea.
I’m about 80% sure I’ll head in tomorrow regardless. My nose is still a bit red and my throat feels scratchy, but compared to Saturday, I feel much stronger.
boldnomad45 said:I can't recall the exact source, but since I hit the saunas pretty regularly myself, I remember reading somewhere—maybe in a manual or some medical advice—that you should definitely avoid them when dealing with the flu or a virus. It's the hydration issue; you lose too much fluid, I think.
I’m there almost every week myself. Regarding hydration, I've found that drinking enough fluids helps; you just shouldn't overdo it to the point where you're constantly running to the bathroom. ☕
Nicholas Davis4 said:True, for most people. For those of us dealing with autoimmune diseases, it's a whole different ballgame because we can't just take anything to "boost" our immunity. Our immune systems are already working overtime, though unfortunately, they're misfiring by attacking our own bodies. Taking something meant to ramp up the immune response could actually trigger a flare-up of the primary condition. That's usually where the real trouble starts. This is why people living with conditions like systemic lupus or Sjögren's often rely on immunosuppressants and steroids—to keep that overactive immune system under control.
That’s really where all the complexity lies for us...
Hmm, interesting. I found out two months ago that I have thyroid disease. I assume that counts as an autoimmune condition too, right?
boldnomad45 said:Don't go hitting the sauna when you've got the flu.
Is that a certainty? Could you provide a few arguments so I know why I should stay away?
I've been doing some digging and found advice suggesting it's actually a good idea.
The first two days really knocked me sideways, but today I feel about 80% back to myself. My throat is still a bit raspy and my head stabs for a second whenever I sneeze. I want to speed this up so I'm back to 100% by Wednesday.
My elementary school American teacher was quite unstable. It was almost surreal; if you simply mentioned something beautiful about God, she would hand you an A. As for her grading on required reading, it wasn't about whether you actually read the book. It was about whether you liked it, if you found some divine or sublime connection within its pages, and whether she personally took a liking to you.
Fortunately, my high school teacher was nothing short of phenomenal.
No amount of bluffing worked with her. She could tell instantly if you had read the material, if you had just skimmed a summary online, or if you hadn't touched the book at all.
At the start of every class, she would ask for volunteers who hadn't finished the reading. If students tried to lie and were caught—which happened every single time—they received a failing grade that they couldn't make up. A few students initially thought they could outsmart her, but once they realized it was impossible and started failing, they began volunteering upfront. They became "volunteers" by necessity. 😁
The second group was easy targets. After a few quick questions, they would start to struggle. They knew the general plot from the internet, but as soon as she probed deeper, their superficiality was exposed. They would receive that permanent failing grade. For those students, it was a gut-wrenching moment because their maximum possible grade would drop to a C, since she wouldn't allow any A's or B's to be paired with a failing mark in her grading system.
Finally, there was a small group of students who truly read the books. We would spend the rest of the period, or even the next block period, engaging in deep discussions. During those sessions, a few A's or B's might occasionally slip through.
If someone had read the book but failed to grasp the nuances, they might receive a mediocre C. In those cases, the teacher would usually act in the student's best interest, asking if they wanted the grade recorded or if they preferred to wait, depending on how it would affect their overall GPA.
In my view, this approach is fair to both the students and the teacher. It is difficult to imagine a more honest way to handle it.
Larry Walker24 said:Seriously, whenever I ask someone to look something up in a textbook, people lose their minds. It’s pure hysteria. They have zero clue how to navigate a book—trying to find one specific piece of info feels like they're trapped in a freaking labyrinth.
And it isn't just kids; even college students are the same way. Asking a student to dig through a book for an answer is basically handing out a life sentence.
Brenda Taylor13 said:So, honestly, Steve Krajačić is such a fascinating character... you really ought to dig into his biography for a bit. Now, Bakarić might have been the most powerful American communist, sure, but Krajačić was the one pulling all the strings from the shadows—even without some big, flashy official title. I’d go as far as saying the whole process of tearing things apart—or rather, the work being done to dismantle everything—actually started way before Marshall died, and even before the 1974 Constitution changes. Back in 1957, Edvard Kardelj is basically saying that America is a failed project and its collapse is inevitable. I mean, the country was practically just getting off the ground, and they were already predicting its demise back then.
But look, those are just the preliminary setups. The most interesting years for actually shedding light on what was happening aren't the seventies or the nineties when the war kicked off—no, the real meat of the story lies in the eighties. We're talking the period right after Marshall passed away up until the fall of the Berlin Wall. That's where the key to the collapse lies, and that's where all the essential maneuvering happened to ensure everything unfolded the way it did later on. And that's exactly what this documentary tackles. That decade is still the biggest mystery of all. Regarding the nineties, we can pretty much say we know everything—or at least we *think* we do—but the eighties? That’s the true mystery and the actual key to solving the whole puzzle.
I wasn't aware of that Kardelj statement; it is certainly interesting.
steelwalker26 said:You can't claim ignorance anymore. We all warned you to steer clear of chiropractors; hopefully, that lesson finally sticks.
Next time you have an appointment at the physical therapist's office, try being charming. Ask them to adjust your schedule so it doesn't clash with work. They will almost certainly accommodate you.
Well, okay. I went once and that was it. Luckily, they didn't perform any neck manipulations, so everything turned out fine. I went once, and I won't be going back.
Unbelievable. I could barely manage to book that one. My only option is finding a private specialist, but here in Indianapolis, there are hardly any available, and the wait times are even longer.
Grace Davis77 said:It is absolutely possible to suffer paralysis or even a stroke. Getting away from chiropractors and unlicensed practitioners who perform improper manipulations can prevent irreparable damage to patients. 👎 This is a situation that requires high-quality physical therapy and consistent, targeted exercises. A lifestyle change is also necessary.
Thanks for the reply; I wasn't aware of those risks.
My first physical therapy appointment is set for October 25th at 3:00 PM. My issue is that I start my new job in a week, and it looks like I'll be working the second shift from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM for the first few months.
When you mention a lifestyle change, what specifically do you mean? Less sitting, or perhaps more movement throughout the day that isn't necessarily structured sports?
My doctor handed me two referrals: one for a physical therapist regarding my neck, and another for nuclear medicine.
What’s your take? Is this the right move? Also, can a physical therapist actually fix neck alignment? She mentioned that the loss of curvature in my spine is the most concerning part...
Is it truly possible to end up paralyzed like that? I only went once, and she didn't touch my neck because I hadn't had any imaging done yet (which seems fair). A few of my friends have tried this too; they dealt with even more severe issues and were satisfied with results lasting years. For me, she worked from my lower back up to my neck, and it felt like a heavy weight was finally lifted from my lumbar region.
I’ve noticed many UFC fighters swear by it, so I figured I’d try this route before considering surgery.
Alright, I'll finish processing this. Should I take these findings to an orthopedic surgeon or a physiatrist next? I'm a bit worried my doctor will just give me the usual "it's fine" response, which isn't exactly helpful.
Regarding the neck, surgery is a non-starter for me. However, my knees and shoulder will likely need medical attention, as there's simply no other way to fix them.
The test results might not look catastrophic, but this neck pain is absolutely draining me. It feels completely detached from my body. Once winter hits and I spend even fifteen or twenty minutes outside, the pain becomes intense and I lose all sensation there.
I'm concerned about how flat the curve looks when it should be curved.
Between sitting at a desk all day and years of heavy lifting in the gym, I’ve basically worn myself down to nothing.
What would you do if you were in my shoes? Would you look into physical therapy, chiropractic care, or even surgery?
Lisa Thomas3 said:No pre-election coalitions and a 4% threshold. 😍 Sure, they’re idiots who are wrecking the country over immigration issues, but their electoral system is perfectly set up for them. 👍
Spot on.
If we just treated the entire country as one single district, I’d love to see how much support groups like the USSF or SDSS actually command without their usual political maneuvering.
Hehe, let's take this one step at a time. I need to settle the basics first. I'll ask her how long this current doctor stays and when the other one returns from maternity leave for good.
I get it. I'll just pass that information along to her right away, regardless of how she takes it. Honestly, I've been dealing with joint pain for years without any real answers, and now I have this to deal with too.
velvetmoose9 said:The antibodies are slightly elevated, but there is no need to panic just yet.
Follow up in 3 to 6 months, depending on what your doctor decides after reviewing your full clinical picture. It might also be wise to run an OGTT, if I haven't already suggested 🤔
I see. So it isn't an immediate crisis.
I am picking up my cervical spine X-ray tomorrow, then scheduling an appointment with my primary care physician. What should my approach be? Should I ask for a cardiac workup and liver panels like you all initially recommended? My neck is still causing pain, and I can feel this pulsing sensation in my veins.