b-intense Bedienungsanleitung Seite 42

Scope of application of b-intense infrared cabins
®
b-intense infrared cabins consist of infrared radiators, controls and additional equipment for local, non-contact heat application via a back
®
and a front heater to reduce muscle tension and to help in the treatment of pain and tension therapies, to increase the body's defenses and
to positively influence the skin.
Medical mode of action
Infrared radiation (IR radiation) is part of the electromagnetic spectrum. The most important natural source of IR radiation is the sun. About
54% of the solar radiation reaching the earth's surface is IR radiation. In addition, the human skin is increasingly exposed to artificial IR sources
in the cosmetic and wellness sector, but also in the medical field. The application of electromagnetic radiation for heat application is widely
used.
Infrared rays are absorbed by the uppermost skin layers and converted into heat. IR exposure is therefore perceived as heat. Due to the thermal
stress on the skin, the body reacts with heat defense reactions which are triggered gradually. The physiological response to heat depends on
the tissue temperature, the duration and extent of the temperature increase and the size of the irradiated area.
The human organism is able to keep its core body temperature relatively constant regardless of fluctuations in ambient temperature. This is due
to an efficient thermoregulation system, which acts as a negative feedback system to counteract deviations in the actual temperature value by
more than ±0.1% of the setpoint.
When heated, there is an increase in skin circulation and sweat secretion. As the vessels dilate, more blood can pass from the body core to
the skin surface, the blood cools the skin and dissipates the heat. Deeper skin layers are not heated directly by infrared radiation, but by heat
conduction. The increased production of sweat results from the subsequent evaporation at the skin surface to cool down and is therefore an
important thermoregulatory mechanism. In addition, sweat also contributes to the optimal moisture supply of the skin.
Warnings and contraindications: Although every application of heat basically involves the risk of damaging the skin, infrared radiation offers
the advantage that the heat transfer is contactless and thus the natural defense reaction is least is affected.
Normally, unpleasant sensations or slight pain in the irradiated area, which is already clearly visible before from burns, lead to behavioral
changes (we move away from the source of radiation), so that we are protected by our own natural averting reactions. In case of reduced
or missing pain sensation, e.g. also under the influence of alcohol and drugs, taking of tranquilizers and pain medication, however, thermal
damage cannot be excluded.
In addition, persons who suffer from certain diseases and who are exposed to radiation may be at risk, even if the conditions are normally
considered as harmless. These include groups of people with limited thermoregulatory mechanisms, such as those suffering from cardiovascular
diseases and diabetes mellitus type 2.
The susceptibility to heat-related conditions is also increased when taking some medications (e.g. diuretics, antihistamines, antiepileptic drugs,
etc.), Sjögren's syndrome and skin diseases (e.g. ichthyosis, anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia) because in these cases sweating and thus the
cooling effect on the skin is impaired.
In the case of extensive scars, too little heat may also be dissipated due to the reduced vascular supply. Special caution is also required in
the case of diseases that lead to increased metabolic activity and thus increased heat generation (status epilepticus, malignant hypertermia).
Elderly people react particularly sensitively to higher temperatures. This also applies to children. In case of acute injury/inflammation, the ap-
plication of heat may lead to an increase in symptoms and should therefore be avoided.
42