Freon can cause respiratory issues such as coughing, shortness of breath, and lung inflammation when inhaled. In addition to refrigerant leaks, air conditioners can also harbor mold and other allergens that can worsen respiratory issues and cause coughing.
She explained: “Studies have shown that a cold, dry environment can worsen respiratory illnesses. If you're suffering from a chesty cough, you may notice an increase in phlegm after sleeping in an air-conditioned room.
According to pulmonologist Dr. Michael Scharf, inhaling cold air may cause bronchial irritation and cough. If you have asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the cold air “may induce bronchial tightening or constriction leading to cough, wheeze and shortness of breath.”
Cold air can dehydrate your nostrils, throat, and other parts of your body that fight off infections, increasing your risk of an illness. However, cold weather alone cannot make you sick. If you have viruses or particulates in the air, your AC may circulate them, and you can breathe them in.
Cold air is often dry air, and can irritate the airways if you have asthma, COPD or bronchitis. This can cause wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath.
Cold weather, and particularly cold air, can also play havoc with your lungs and health. Cold air is often dry air, and for many, especially those with chronic lung disease, that can spell trouble. Dry air can irritate the airways of people with lung diseases.
Cooler temperatures at night can cause our immune system to slow down. This can make you more susceptible to conditions like common cold or a dry cough. Or else, you might wake up with a sore throat. If the AC unit is not clean, it will circulate germs and other airborne contaminants like dust mites, pet dander, etc.
People who live in air-conditioned surroundings report greater rates of respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing and shortness of breath, according to a study published in the Journal of Environmental Health Research. The results of the study were ascribed to greater exposure to pollutants and allergens indoors.
The point being, not only does an air conditioner not make you sick, but it can also help you recover more quickly. A comfortable temperature makes it easier to rest, sleep, and recuperate.
He explained the problem with intense cold-weather exercise is that increasingly cold temperatures make it harder for the lungs to warm and humidify the air, which causes the lining of the airway to dry and, in some cases, become irreparably damaged.
Cold air is also drier than warmer air and acts as an irritant. Each of these can initiate a cough reflex. It's the body's effort to ease the constricted air passages and to move moist air up and out from the lungs. Lying down when your body is producing excess mucus can also trigger a dry cough.
A/Prof Morgan explains that colder air from air conditioning can trigger irritations to either the upper airways (nose/throat) or lower airways. “If these airways are already swollen or inflamed, that will often trigger a sense of chest tightness and cough,” she says.
When it comes to air conditioning vs. fans, we say both! Air conditioning keeps the air cool in your home. And ceiling fans can create an additional cooling effect that makes you feel up to 4* cooler.
Installing air purifiers and humidifiers can be an effective way to improve air quality and potentially alleviate coughing caused by air conditioning. Air purifiers work by removing allergens, pollutants, and other harmful particles from the air, which can reduce the risk of respiratory issues and coughing.
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.
Cold air can cause your airways to narrow. This can increase the amount of mucus you produce and make it harder to breathe. Cold, dry air can also irritate your airways and make symptoms like wheezing, coughing and breathlessness worse.
Freon can cause respiratory issues such as coughing, shortness of breath, and lung inflammation when inhaled. In addition to refrigerant leaks, air conditioners can also harbor mold and other allergens that can worsen respiratory issues and cause coughing.
What's the best way to sleep when you have a cough? Wahab: If your cough is part of a seasonal respiratory virus, like the common cold, try elevating your head and chest with extra pillows or a wedge. Try laying on your side, not back. These tricks can work because you usually have nasal congestion when coughing.
The common cold most often causes a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. You may also have a sore throat, cough, headache, or other symptoms.
The most common causes are tobacco use and asthma. Other common causes include fluid that drips from the nose down the back of the throat, called postnasal drip, and the backward flow of stomach acid into the tube that connects the throat to the stomach, called acid reflux.