Although air conditioners are preferred for heating in winter, they are undoubtedly much more popular in summer when it comes to cooling. However, as we all know, these electric vehicles have some disadvantages along with their benefits. For example, air conditioner bumps.
So, is air conditioner shock really a medical illness and is there such a thing as air conditioner cold?
In fact, this issue is highly controversial.
While some experts see air conditioner crash as a disease, others state that air conditioning is not a cause of discomfort on its own, but can only invite some diseases.
One of the main reasons we encounter air conditioner crashes is improper use of air conditioner. For example, the metabolism of each of us has a balance between heat production and heat loss. If we run the air conditioner at a lower temperature than it should be, this balance is upset and unwanted symptoms are more likely to occur.
However, operating the air conditioner in extreme cold beyond the need, moving from a very hot environment to a suddenly cooled environment and being exposed to this cold environment for a long time can also cause the body’s heat balance to deteriorate.
Air conditioners are very successful in upsetting the humidity balance of the environment.
In order to protect our health, the humidity level of the environment we are in should be within certain ranges. Research on this subject states that an average of 50% relative humidity should be in air-conditioned environments. If this moisture balance is disturbed, air dryness can occur and the eyes and upper respiratory tract are severely affected.
In addition, when it comes to long-term use of air conditioners, the deterioration of the humidity balance of the environment can cause dehydration (fluid deficit), and accordingly, eyes and upper respiratory problems, as well as dryness and thirst in the mouth can be seen.
In addition, when using the air conditioner, the settings must be adjusted according to the ideal temperature and humidity level of the environment. Otherwise, insufficient or excessive cooling may cause unwanted discomfort. Again, the cold air coming from the air conditioner should not be directed directly to the body. In summary, cooling should be provided in a balanced way.
Of course, air conditioner cleaning is a must in order to prevent air conditioner crashes.
How often the air conditioner is cleaned is undoubtedly very decisive in the risk of air conditioner shock. Filters that are not changed or cleaned regularly can deteriorate the indoor air quality, thus making health problems unavoidable.
Although these health problems vary from person to person, headache, cough, cramps, nausea, vomiting, weakness, muscle and joint pains, runny nose and high fever are the most common complaints. In addition, air conditioning shock can often be confused with other health problems, as these symptoms are very similar to those of upper respiratory tract infections such as colds and flu.
So how can we distinguish air conditioner shock from other ailments?
Doctors usually apply some tests to rule out other health problems in patients who come with symptoms such as headache and high fever. As a result of these tests, if it is determined that the discomfort is not caused by a viral infection, the doctors ask the patient’s level and type of air conditioning use.
There is no laboratory test that can diagnose an air conditioner crash, but experts can do some testing for dehydration (water loss) if they suspect an air conditioner crash and try to detect it that way. In fact, there is no definitive diagnosis of this condition and there is no specific treatment.
At this point, the main goal is to alleviate the patient’s symptoms. Drug treatments for complaints, consuming plenty of fluids against the danger of dehydration, warm showers to relieve fever, and a healthy and balanced diet in general are the preferred methods to reduce the effects of air conditioner strikes.
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