In fact, you should go a step further and regularly service your air conditioning unit if you're prone to sinus problems. Mold, dust, and pollen can get caught in the coils and be recycled back into the air you breathe, irritating your already compromised sinuses.
Remember, when you don't maintain your AC filters, you add more allergens to the air you breathe. Finally, if you have sinus issues caused by cool, dry air alone, we recommend drinking plenty of fluids to stay properly hydrated and using a humidifier to increase the moisture in your environment.
When you fail to maintain your air conditioner, it collects high concentrations of dust, pollen, and mold. At best, this could exacerbate allergies and asthma. At worst, it can cause infections.
The way that air conditioners work is to blow out cool - but dry - air. This can mean that if you're in an air conditioned environment for some time your ears, nose and throat can suffer because there is a significant loss of humidity. This can dry out the mucus membrane in the middle ears and also the nasal passages.
In fact, you should go a step further and regularly service your air conditioning unit if you're prone to sinus problems. Mold, dust, and pollen can get caught in the coils and be recycled back into the air you breathe, irritating your already compromised sinuses.
Poorly maintained air-conditioning systems can cause respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold, flu, tonsillitis, coughs, and everything in between. Dirty filters are the most common culprits. Filters in an air-con system are there to remove bacteria and other contaminants.
The sudden temperature changes between the cool indoor environment and the hot outdoor environment can cause blood vessels in the head to constrict and expand rapidly, leading to headaches. Additionally, prolonged exposure to cold, dry air can cause sinus congestion and exacerbate migraines.
A dehumidifier or smart AC settings can help. Invest in Air Purification: Air purifiers with HEPA filters can remove the smallest particles from your air. Get Professional HVAC Check-Ups: An expert can spot and mitigate hidden mold growth or other issues in your system.
Mould in your air conditioner can lead to sickness in a variety of ways, from severe respiratory symptoms like shortness of breath and wheezing to nausea, vomiting, or dizziness.
Exposure to AC will affect respiratory health
Sleeping in a room with the AC on can lead to respiratory problems, particularly for individuals who are sensitive to cold air or have existing respiratory conditions such as asthma or allergies.
Sinusitis is present when the tissue lining the sinuses become swollen or inflamed. It occurs as the result of an inflammatory reaction or an infection from a virus, bacteria, or fungus.
But, if they are not changed often enough, they can make you sick. Old filters can harbor bacteria and mold, which can cause respiratory problems. So, if you or someone in your family has asthma, it is essential to change the air filter regularly.
Legionnaires' disease, the pneumonic form, has an incubation period of 2 to 10 days (but up to 16 days has been recorded in some outbreaks). Initially, symptoms are fever, loss of appetite, headache, malaise and lethargy. Some patients may also have muscle pain, diarrhoea and confusion.
Legionella bacteria can proliferate in air conditioning systems, particularly in cooling towers. Inhalation of contaminated aerosols can lead to Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia. Symptoms include high fever, cough, and muscle aches. In extreme cases, it can be fatal.
Pollen, dust, pet dander, dust mites, mold, fungus, and mildew are always floating around outside the home and inside, even with a particularly good HEPA filter. Likewise, fumes from building projects and strong chemicals with irritating scents (such as formaldehyde) could also cause problems with the sinuses.
Antifungal medications can be used as well, but usually not without a surgery. There have been some studies that indicate that antifungal medications called “azoles,” such as itraconazole, can be useful in treating allergic fungal sinusitis. With invasive fungal sinusitis, use of antifungal medications is required.
Cold weather can have a significant impact on sinus issues, as the change in temperature and humidity can irritate the sinuses and lead to congestion, headaches, and other symptoms. One of the main ways that cold weather can affect the sinuses is by drying out the air.
No, you likely aren't allergic to the air conditioner itself. However, your AC unit can stir up allergens already present in your home, triggering allergy symptoms like sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes.
Unfortunately, it turns out that pollutants in the air can also play a role in chronic sinus conditions. A recent study from Johns Hopkins University has revealed that air pollution in many areas can now lead to chronic sinusitis, more commonly known as a sinus infection.