The doctor told about the danger of air conditioners during the summer heat

In the heat, air conditioners become a real salvation — they maintain the necessary temperature in homes, offices, shopping malls. However, sometimes the desired coolness hides potential health risks. Olga Ulankina, an expert at the Hemotest laboratory, told Izvestia on July 8 what could be dangerous about air conditioners and how to use them correctly to enjoy comfort without harm to well-being.

"Air conditioners reduce the humidity of the air, which can lead to a feeling of sand in the eyes, headaches. In addition, excessively dry air can irritate the respiratory tract, exacerbating the symptoms of asthma, bronchitis and sinusitis and increasing susceptibility to infections. And significant temperature differences during the transition from heat to a cool room often become the culprits of colds," the doctor explained.

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An air conditioner that is not properly maintained can breed bacteria and mold fungi that can cause allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory problems. In order for air conditioners to be safe for health, the specialist recommends following the rules — use a humidifier that will maintain air humidity at 40-60%, regularly ventilate the premises, clean and change the filters in the air conditioners in a timely manner, and regularly wipe the outdoor units and ventilation grilles from dust. It is also important to maintain a temperature balance: it is optimal if the difference between the street and the room is no more than 5-7 degrees.

In addition, you need to properly adjust the airflow — it should not be directed directly at a person: if you stay under cold air for a long time, it is easy to catch a cold.

"If there is dryness in the eyes, a headache or a sore throat, you should turn on the humidifier, increase the temperature on the air conditioner and reduce the flow rate, and if this is not possible, leave the room," Ulankina advised.

On June 13, cardiologist Gulnara Orlova, in an interview with Izvestia, named ways to cool a room in summer without air conditioning. Orlova recommended to ventilate the apartment in the morning and evening when the temperature outside decreases. During the day, windows should be tightly closed, additionally covering them with thick curtains or blinds.