Can Air Conditioning Cause Headaches? If Yes, How?
In the sun’s scorching heat, the air conditioner is a saviour, providing a cool and comfortable atmosphere. While it has become an integral part of our lives, it is important to dig into the facts about its safety. Many health-conscious people believe that it comes with unexpected health problems. Some believe it can cause dehydration, while others claim it leads to skin irritation. Moreover, a few people also find searching ‘Can air conditioning cause headaches?’ Understanding the importance of the concern, we decided to delve into whether air conditions cause headaches. If yes, what are the various factors that contribute to the phenomenon?
Facts Behind Air Conditioners
While AC is considered the best companion in hot summers, it can give an individual a severe and constant headache. However, it depends on several factors, such as how you use it, the condition of the air conditioner, the room environment, and air contamination. Let’s understand them individually to know the answer to the burning concern, ‘Can air conditioning cause headaches?’
Dehydration
When cooling down an indoor space, the AC extracts moisture from the air. However, if the AC draws too much humidity from the air, the air becomes dry and unsuitable for breathing. Breathing in dry air causes dehydration in the body, which can lead to headaches and nosebleeds.
Extreme Temperature
If you set your AC too low, it cools down the room extremely. When you enter an extremely chilled room, the sudden drop in temperature in your body may lead to swelling in your sinuses, resulting in a feeling of pressure in your eyes and pain in your head. Cold temperatures can also trigger trigeminal nerves, which can cause your brain’s blood vessels to constrict and result in headaches. So if you wonder, ‘Can air conditioning cause headaches?’, then it may be if you stay in extremely cold temperatures.
Air Quality
Air Conditioners are designed to filter out harmful pollutants and make the environment healthy. However, when air filters are not cleaned or changed for a long time, pollen, dust, and bacteria accumulate in your AC. Once the AC operates, these contaminants circulate in the room, making the room environment unhealthy for breathing, causing problems like breathing issues, headaches, and more.
Room Environment
‘Can air conditioning cause headaches?’ Yes, it can be if your room is not cleaned. You may notice that most AC rooms do not allow footwear, which is kept outside. This eliminates dust, dirt, and pollutants and keeps the room clean and healthy. AC requires a closed room to maintain the cold temperature. When AC runs, it circulates the air, which means the pollutants accumulated in the room will also circulate and make your room environment unhealthy for living, resulting in health problems like headaches.
Noise
Are you concerned about ‘Can air conditioning cause headaches’? Well, probably yes, if your AC makes unwanted and unbearable sounds. Some air conditioners, like old ones, are noisier than others. When your AC makes noise constantly that disturbs you and causes sleepless nights, it may give you a headache. However, it may also trigger migraines and other problems associated with insomnia.
AC makes you comfortable in the scorching heat, but too much exposure to it may cause problems. Remember that everything has a bad side; you need to know all the pros and cons to avoid the problems associated with it and reap maximum benefits. Therefore, halt your search for ‘Can air conditioning cause headaches?’ because it can cause headaches in some circumstances.
You are not alone if you suffer from headaches when using air conditioning. Many people face the same problem. You need to know the correct way to use AC. Nevertheless, if your problem persists, you should seek medical treatment immediately.
How To Use AC Effectively?
Fortunately, there are several ways to use your AC more effectively that not everyone knows. Let us tell you the secrets that save your health and energy costs.
- Change the filters every season.
- Keep your room clean, and doors & windows closed.
- Set the right temperature.
- Drink lots of water.
- Use a humidifier along with the AC.
- Use sleep mode at night.
This is how you can eliminate AC sickness symptoms and use your air conditioner effectively. So, if you are still wondering, ‘Can air conditioning cause headaches?’, the answer is ‘Yes’ if you do not use it mindfully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any side effects of the air conditioner?
Dry eyes, dehydration, dry or itchy skin, breathing problems, allergies, asthma, lethargy, and infectious diseases are some side effects of air conditions associated with prolonged use.
What is the best temperature for AC?
The ideal AC temperature is 24℃-26℃. Keeping the AC temperature too low may cause dehydration, leading to headaches, breathing issues, and other health problems.
Can AC cause pimples?
AC can cause dehydration in the body and also reduce the amount of natural oil secretion in the skin, which may lead to wrinkles, fine lines, blemishes, hyperpigmentation, acne and pimples. Therefore, too much use of AC should be avoided for better health.
Is AC good for heart patients?
Heart patients are suggested to spend as much time in a cold environment. Therefore, AC is good for heart patients. For those without air conditioners, taking cold showers or applying a cold compressor is good for the patient.
How to maintain skin health in AC?
AC causes dehydration, leading to several problems, including health and skin. To keep your skin healthy by using air conditioning, follow these tips.
- Drink lots of water
- Moisturize the skin regularly
- Consume healthy food
How do we maintain the humidity level in the air conditioner room?
The best way is to use a humidifier with AC.