Frequent use of the device can cause dryness of the respiratory tract, colds and even trigger respiratory diseases such as rhinitis, sinusitis and pneumonia, but there is a way to use air conditioning and a fan without causing harm to your health,
If the heat has given no respite and the use of air conditioning has become an essential element, the otolaryngologist Bruno Borges de Carvalho Barros, from the capital Sao Paulo, explains how to do it safely to ensure respiratory health on such hot days.
- Excessive exposure: The doctor says that prolonged exposure to air conditioning without proper care can cause health problems. “This can dry out the airways, causing nosebleeds, as well as promoting the onset of colds and attacks of allergic rhinitis,” warns Dr. Bruno.
- Lack of cleanliness and hygiene: Both dirty air conditioning and fans cause the air leaving the devices to release mites, fungi and bacteria into the environment. Therefore, he says you need to clean the outside of your appliances and do annual maintenance on your air conditioning filter, whether in your home, office or car.
- Enter and exit: The difference between the outside and inside temperatures of the environment can be harmful as the body takes a few hours to adapt to the fluctuations. “The advice is to never turn on the air conditioning at the lowest possible temperature, ideally the environment should always be around 23º C, which is the standard established by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa),” advises the doctor .
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How to protect your airways:
The mucous membranes of the nose and mouth act as the body’s defense against bacteria and dust, but to do so they need to be hydrated, which is not the case when you are exposed to air conditioning or a fan. “Without this protective capacity, the chances of flu, colds, rhinitis, sinusitis, pneumonia and other respiratory problems increase and, with dry airways, nosebleeds can occur. The advice is to hydrate frequently with a 0 saline solution, 9% to be applied directly to the skin, the nostrils a few times a day and increase water intake.
SOURCE: Bruno Borges de Carvalho Barros, Doctor specialized in ENT at the Brazilian Association of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. Master and researcher at the Federal University of São Paulo.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
