Most of us are extremely thankful for air
conditioning – especially those who live in California where high temperatures
make it a necessity and not a luxury. That being said, there is a downside to
air conditioning that many people are not aware of in terms of health issues.
The causes are usually simple and so too
are the solutions if you know what needs
to be done. These are a few of the most common of them and the fixes.
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Breathing
Problems
The stuffiness you feel in your nose or the
congestion in your chest may not be simply due to having the temperature set
too low. It could be due to the fungi and bacteria that have collected in the
air conditioner filters and are being blown around the interiors. Air
conditioning units are also high moisture environments that are a breeding
ground for black mold. Inhaling the bacteria, fungi or mold can cause all kinds
of respiratory problems which, if not dealt with in time, could become serious.
The solution to this problem is a very simple
one – ensure that the unit is cleaned regularly and air filters are changed on
schedule.
Fatigue, Headaches and Feeling Low
Many people find that after spending a full
day in an air conditioned environment they tend to feel more tired than normal
and often have headaches or a feeling of general fatigue. Studies have shown
that a common cause for this is having the temperature set too low which places
an unnatural strain on the metabolism.
The fix is to turn the thermostat up a bit. If
that does not help, have it checked by an expert. If it is defective, the room
may over cool no matter what the setting
is.
Dry Skin and Nasal Passages
The cold dry air that an air conditioner
produces causes the natural oils of the skin to dry up and this leads to dry
skin and soreness of the nostrils. The more time you spend in an air conditioned room the drier your skin gets.
You can prevent this
from happening by drinking lots of liquids while in an air conditioned environment and by applying moisturizer to the
skin.
Colds and Coughs
Studies show that people who spend long hours
in air conditioned rooms are often more
prone to colds and coughs. The reason for this is not simply that the room is
too cold, although that could be part of the problem. What many people do not
realize is that just because an air conditioned
room restricts the entry of dust and dirt, it does not completely stop it. This
dirt can collect in carpets, curtains and
crevices, besides collecting in the air filter units. The more time spent in a
room with this hidden dust, the more you will be prone to coughs and colds and
the more medication you take, the more resistant to it you will become over
time.
Like any other appliance, an air conditioning
system needs regular maintenance to not just keep it working smoothly and efficiently
but also to ensure that the indoor climate it creates is a healthy one. Having
your air conditioner regularly serviced
and maintained by an air conditioning specialist is
the simplest way to be sure that your air conditioning
will keep you both comfortable and healthy.
