Soon you’ll be putting the air conditioner back in the bedroom window to help you sleep through the stuffy nights. And though everyone loves a good, cool night’s sleep, we should all understand that there are some health concerns that go along with filtering in this cool air.
• Overuse is the biggest problem with AC. By keeping temps too cool you can actually condition your body to a lower temp and have a more difficult time dealing with soaring outdoor heat.
• AC can aggravate arthritis and make life miserable for people with sinus trouble by blocking up their sinuses and head.
• Studies have shown that people who are consistently exposed to AC are more susceptible to colds and flu than those who aren’t.
• Going from an outside temp to 100˚ or high humidity to an environment that’s immediately cooled to 78˚ can cause stress on the body.
• Some AC units in cars have been proven to cause breathing problems and can circulate airborne diseases. Research done at Louisiana State Medical Center found eight different types of mould inside 22 of 25 cars tested.
So, be wary of too much AC and make sure the unit has clean, fresh filters. And remember that cutting back on AC use doesn’t just affect your health, it’s a great way to conserve energy.