Woman falls sick after sleeping with AC on overnight: Know what happens to the body when you do that every day

An Englishwoman fell sick after sleeping with her AC on overnight in Antalya, Turkey. 24-year-old Liana Foster had slept with her AC on the whole night, and when she woke up the next morning she was “groggy” and noticed “white spots on her tonsils”, the New York Post reported.

According to Dr Manisha Arora, Director – Internal Medicine at the CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, sleeping with the air conditioner (AC) overnight can have several effects on your body.

“It leads to dry eyes and dehydration due to reduced humidity. The cold air produced by the AC can remove moisture from the skin, causing dryness. There is also an increased risk of respiratory issues due to the low humidity and circulated air,” she said in an interaction.

Additionally, air conditioners also cause harm to the environment. The refrigerants used, especially hydrofluorocarbons, are notorious for their high global warming potential as they release ozone-depleting pollutants. They also use a lot of energy, causing an extra burden on the climate. Hydrofluorocarbons are potent greenhouse gases, and contribute to environmental harm.

Is it worse for people with pre-existing conditions?

Dr Arora said it can also exacerbate respiratory problems such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchitis. In patients with fibromyalgia and arthritis, it can cause muscle stiffness and joint pains. Additionally, ACs can exacerbate allergies in sensitive individuals by circulating allergens like dust, pollen, and mould if the units are not cleaned regularly.

Is constant air conditioning giving you the chills (literally and figuratively)? (Source: Freepik)

“For an average person, there may be an increased risk of infections and allergies. Upon waking up, one might experience stiffness, headaches, nausea, and fatigue. These are common issues associated with prolonged exposure to air conditioning,” Dr Arora explained.

It can sometimes precipitate cardiovascular problems, especially in elderly people or young children.

How much time should you ideally spend in an air-conditioned room?

It is recommended to limit the time spent in an air-conditioned room. The temperature should be maintained at a comfortable level, not too high, Dr Arora said.

We should also consider the environmental impact, as increased use of ACs leads to more electricity consumption, which in turn releases more greenhouse gases, heating the planet and adding to climate change.

To minimise these effects, it is advisable to take regular breaks and expose yourself to natural air and temperature. Spending 2 to 3 hours in an air-conditioned room is sufficient. At night, you can set the AC to turn off automatically after 2 to 3 hours. Maintaining the temperature in a comfortable range, such as 22 to 26 degrees Celsius, and keeping humidity levels between 40 to 60% is ideal. Using HEPA filters in ACs can also help reduce dust and allergens.

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