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During hot weather, air conditioning becomes a lifeline for most households, offices, and workplaces. However, improper use of air conditioning can lead to illness, and even strokes or death.
1. Health Risks of Overusing Air Conditioning on Hot Sunny Days
During hot weather, air conditioning becomes a lifeline for most households, offices, and workplaces. However, improper use of air conditioning can lead to illness, and even strokes or death.
Unexpected Illnesses Caused by... Air Conditioning
Recently, a parent shared a story that happened within their own family, with the cause being the air conditioner. The parent recounted: “We went to our hometown for a few days during a heatwave with temperatures peaking at 39-40°C, so during midday and evening, we often turned on the air conditioner for our child to sleep. Because the room temperature was cold while the outside temperature was very hot, our child experienced heat shock. After 3 days, we noticed our child’s mouth twitching. We observed our child for a few more days, and as the frequency increased, we took our child to a city hospital for examination, where the doctor recommended transferring to a provincial hospital. Then, the provincial hospital transferred us to the National Children's Hospital. Here, after examination, the doctor prescribed sleeping pills for a brainwave test and administered anesthesia for an MRI scan. Seeing our child like that was very distressing and heartbreaking. After receiving the results, the doctor diagnosed our child with inflammation and swelling of the seventh cranial nerve.”
This concerned parent sent along images of their daughter after an MRI scan, where doctors had to administer oxygen to revive her. They advised other families: “Many young children lying in air-conditioned rooms have experienced what my child did, so parents should pay attention. If you let your child stay in an air-conditioned room, ensure that the temperature inside and outside does not differ by more than 7°C. Don't let it happen to your child like it did to mine.”
Another case is Mrs. Nguyen Thi An (Ba Dinh district, Hanoi). For the past few weeks since installing an air conditioner in her bedroom, Mrs. An has frequently experienced headaches, runny noses, occasional chills, and a decreased appetite, despite spending most of her time indoors in the comfortably air-conditioned room. Especially during noon or before bedtime, when the room temperature usually remains between 18-20°C, Mrs. An explained: “Because there are a few young grandchildren in the house, I have to keep the temperature like that for them to sleep well.”
After visiting the doctor, it was explained that the excessively cold temperature had caused sudden changes in body temperature, making the body susceptible to catching colds. To address this issue, besides taking medication, Mrs. An stated that she adjusted the air conditioner to a higher temperature and only used it during noon and in the evening, along with using a fan during times when the weather wasn’t too hot.
If hot weather is already uncomfortable for the average person, it's even more challenging for pregnant women. According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Nga (Nam Tu Liem district, Hanoi), despite the room temperature being 22°C, she still felt overheated. To cool down, she drank plenty of cold water and maintained the lowest room temperature throughout the night until morning. The consequence was her daughter, Hang, being born with pneumonia, requiring a long and complicated treatment process.
How to Use Air Conditioning Correctly?
According to Dr. Nguyen Thu Huong (National Children's Hospital), both children and adults need cool air for better sleep, but using artificial cold air incorrectly can lead to temperature differences, causing a “thermal shock” that affects the health of both adults and children.
To ensure the health of children, pregnant women, and adults (especially the elderly), Dr. Huong recommends maintaining a temperature of 28-29°C for newborns, and 27-28°C for children under 3 years old.
For pregnant women, the safe room temperature with air conditioning is between 26-28°C. However, pregnant women should avoid sitting directly in the airflow of the air conditioner because during pregnancy, the open pores are more sensitive and susceptible to catching cold. When sleeping under the air conditioner, wear a high-necked shirt, socks, and use a blanket covering from the chest down to avoid getting cold.
As for the elderly, whose body temperature is often unstable and immunity is weak, they are prone to conditions like high blood pressure and joint pain when sitting for long periods under air conditioning. Therefore, it's advisable to adjust the air conditioning temperature to a moderate level of 26-27°C (not too cold, not too hot).
Here are some air conditioning sleeping habits that could be life-threatening and should be changed immediately:
Sleeping in an air-conditioned room after drinking alcohol
When feeling drowsy and sleepy due to alcohol consumption, many people might fall asleep forgetting that the air conditioner has just started and set to a low temperature. Prolonged exposure to cold while being unaware can lead to critical conditions such as shock or paralysis.
Air Conditioning Design Directly Targeting Children
Being exposed to a prolonged stream of excessively cold air directly onto the body can impede blood circulation, causing discomfort, and even muscle numbness. Therefore, after turning on the air conditioner, the next step is to adjust the airflow direction appropriately, preferably directing the cold air upwards to avoid blowing directly onto the child, especially their head and limbs.
Sitting in front of the air conditioner immediately after taking a night shower
After showering, the body temperature decreases. Continuing to stay under a fan or air conditioner can negatively affect blood circulation, resulting in delayed blood flow to the brain, impacting heart rate and blood pressure. Particularly, individuals with weak health and immunity are at high risk of experiencing complications and strokes if exposed to air conditioning immediately after showering.
Rushing into a cool air-conditioned room after being outside during peak hot weather or vice versa
This habit is extremely dangerous and can lead to heat shock, with a high risk of stroke. The reason is that the body has not had time to adapt to the room or outdoor temperature, especially when transitioning from extreme heat to extreme cold and vice versa.
Running the Air Conditioner All Day
Keeping the air conditioner running continuously throughout the day has a significant impact on health when spending prolonged periods in a closed room with the AC on. It's advisable to spend no more than 2 hours in an air-conditioned room at a time.
When leaving the room, open the door wide and stand at the doorway for a few minutes to allow your body to acclimate to the fresh air. Additionally, if sleeping in air-conditioned conditions, especially at night, when the body is less active and more prone to colds, adjust the AC to a higher temperature late at night.
Lowering the Temperature After the Child Sweats
During hot weather, children are prone to sweating. Therefore, it's important to avoid lowering the temperature immediately after the child sweats, whether it's through bathing or turning on the air conditioner. After physical activity and sweating, the pores on the child's body expand. If immediately exposed to a cold environment, the sudden contraction of the pores can lead to cold-related illnesses.
Immediately Taking the Child Outside After Turning Off the Air Conditioner
Similar to how immediately entering an air-conditioned room after sweating can cause a significant temperature difference, leading to the child's body not being able to adjust in time, resulting in illnesses like headaches, fevers... It's best after turning off the air conditioner, to let the child stay in the room for an extra minute before going outside.
