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.
Air conditioning system circulates air present inside. It take air from room , cools it and gives cool air. Hence not getting fresh air from outside you feel suffocation.
Explanation: In a closed room, an air conditioner will recirculate the oxygen and nitrogen already present. However, there are always openings and crevices in a room that allow oxygen to be replaced and air to circulate through doors or windows.
That's because the small particles causing allergic reactions can get trapped in AC filters, and then released back into the air every time the air conditioning runs. Fortunately, you can still enjoy a cool air-conditioned environment free from sinus congestion.
Over time, this acute condition may turn into long-lasting (chronic) lung disease. Symptoms of acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis may occur 4 - 6 hours after leaving the area and include: chills, cough, fever, malaise, or shortness of breath.
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.
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.
Sleeping in a cold room can make you congested if the air is dry, or the room has frequent exposure to allergens. However, it may be more beneficial to sleep in a cool or chilly room.
Poor Air Quality Where You Sleep
Toxic allergens such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander and mold can be present where you sleep. These congestion-causing allergens can exist on your bed sheets, under your bed, in and under your dressers, on your curtains and in your carpet.
AC doesn't ventilate a room. It cools a room. The equipment may have a ventilate function also, but the primary function of AC is to create cool. If you turn the control to "ventilate” it will bring in some fresh air, and might even open a small damper to allow some stale air to be ejected.
This same terminology has been used in the Confined Space Standard, 29 CFR 1910.146, since 1993. Paragraph (d)(2)(iii) of the Respiratory Protection Standard considers any atmosphere with an oxygen level below 19.5 percent to be oxygen-deficient and immediately dangerous to life or health.
Sleeping with your bedroom door closed can help maintain your desired temperature, which is crucial for a restful night's sleep. In the summer, sleeping with your bedroom door closed can help keep the air conditioning in, while in the winter, it can help keep your bedroom warm and toasty.
Leaks around doors and windows can let polluted outdoor air in too. Indoor air also has allergens, such as dust, pet dander, and mold. Building materials, furniture, carpets, scents, and cleaners can release chemicals into the air.
Things You Should Know. Improve the oxygen levels in your home by opening a window for about 10 minutes at a time. Or, step outside for 10 minutes to get a quick boost. Introduce house plants like orchids or succulents to boost oxygen levels in your home, and run an air purifier to filter out air pollutants.
Exposure to AC will affect respiratory health
The cold air produced by the AC can irritate the respiratory tract, causing symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.
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.”
Chilly air means sniffly noses. When we breathe in, our noses warm the air and add moisture to it as it travels down into our lungs. Cold, dry air irritates your nasal lining, and as a result, your nasal glands produce excess mucus to keep the lining moist.
Try dissolving a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water as this can help to thin out mucus and provide relief. Additionally, drinking warm water throughout the day can also be effective in reducing post-nasal drip by thinning out mucus and making it easier to clear the nasal passages.
In more severe cases, avoidance may not be enough. Then, treatment may include corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medication to reduce inflammation and prevent your immune system from reacting to the allergens you inhale.
Deep Clean Your HVAC: Ensure your entire system, especially the ducts, is clean to prevent mold and mildew buildup. Regular Laundry: Hot water washes for your bedding and linens can reduce allergens that settle on fabrics. Dust and Vacuum Regularly: Keep dust and toxins from becoming airborne with regular cleaning.
Allergy Sufferers May Be At a Greater Risk
If you regularly suffer from allergies, you may be at a greater risk for sinus congestion or other allergic reactions. This is usually because small particles, such as pollen, mold spores, dust mites, and other pollutants are trapped by the air conditioner's filter.
Legionnaires' disease is a lung infection you can get from inhaling droplets of water from things like air conditioning or hot tubs. It's uncommon but it can be very serious.
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Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease include: Fever (often over 104⁰F/40⁰C). Cough (usually dry).