How to use air conditioner correctly in summer to avoid cold

For her part, Dr. Lorraine SanzHead of the Otorhinolaryngology Department of Torrejón Hospital, guarantees ” temperature change During the hottest months of the year, high temperatures in enclosed spaces and streets and abuse of air conditioning can add to throat problems. In addition, a neurologist from the Brain Injury Unit of the Ribera Virgen de la Caridad Hospital in Cartagena, Martha Romeroadded problems such as rhinitis, tonsillitis, cough and pneumonia related to air conditioning, while a speech therapist at El Chevinalobo University Hospital, Elena Glassto alert you about the condition of your tone, loudness and voice quality.

Almost half of all households in Spain have air conditioning, and this proportion will undoubtedly increase in regions with the highest summer temperatures and a higher number of hot days per year, if we mean offices, official affiliates, medical centers, it means traffic and other public space. “air conditioner reduce ambient humidity and dry out the throat

misuse can create health problems”, says Marta Romero, while Dr. Valdés recalls that “the hotter the air, the more humidity it gets in and the more dust, bacteria or other types of organic matter can accumulate in the filter”. that’s why he insisted Clean the filter regularlybecause otherwise it is easy to irritate the respiratory tract, inflammation or infection.

Therefore, the respiratory and immune systems are the main victims of optimal antipyretic air conditioning.”Cold affects the body’s defenses and its ability to fight disease,” says the neurologist from the Ribera Virgen de la Caridad, explaining that “viruses such as the common cold are more likely to spread in the body When nasal temperature is lower than lung temperaturewhich is about 36.5 degrees Celsius, normal body temperature.

Dr. Valdez takes the same view. “On the one hand, the virus is more likely to survive and reproduce in dry, cold air, and on the other hand, the cold at this time of year makes people spend more time indoors compared to the heat, making it easier for the virus to spread in closed spaces. space,” he said. However, Ribera Povisa, Head of Otorhinolaryngology, recalls that although some laboratory studies have shown that cold temperatures reduce the efficiency of immune cells, “virus causes disease

rather than air temperature.

How Air Affects Sound

Vinaloppo speech therapist Elena Gras places particular emphasis on the effect of air conditioning on the throat. “By breathing the dry air produced by the air conditioner, mucous membranes dry out of the pharynx and larynx.Throat discomfort can produce excess throat clearing and coughingwhich creates a sudden shock to the vocal cords, which stimulates them and changes the sound,” he notes, notably timbre and loudness. Also vigilant sudden temperature change and his love of sound. “Moving from a hot environment outside to a cold environment in an air-conditioned room can cause inflammation of the pharynx, which in turn can lead to changes in sound quality,” he explained.

Neuroscientist Marta Romero from the Ribera Virgen de la Caridad thinks the same. “The body has a natural system for regulating temperature and depends on Balance between heat production and heat loss», he assured. So it’s important to stay where the temperature is right “so our throats don’t get hurt”.

Air Conditioning Health Tips

In that sense, these experts recommend taking different steps at this time of year to integrate air conditioning use with healthcare.

The basic principles are as follows:

Adjust the air temperature to suit the environment (about 24 degrees)

· Avoid sleeping with the air conditioner on (or never lower than 25-26°C)

· Keep one good humidity Ambient (between 40% and 60%)

· Clean the filter regularly Avoid accumulation of pollen and mites

· Proper hydration.recommend Drink 2 to 3 liters of water per day

· avoid throat clearing. Drink water if your throat feels dry.

perform a nasal rinse avoid breathing through your mouth

· limit direct contact Air conditioners, especially vents