The doctor dispelled three myths about colds due to the use of air conditioning

During the summer season, doctors record an increase in the number of complaints from patients about colds allegedly from using an air conditioner, although in reality the cause of the disease is usually a virus that has previously entered the respiratory tract, and not the cold air itself. Oleg Abakumov, the founder of Oleg Abakumov's clinic, a general practitioner and nutritionist, told Izvestia about the three most popular myths about air conditioners on June 10.

The expert called the statement that air conditioning causes colds the first of the myths. According to him, this is the most common misconception. Acute respiratory viral infections are caused exclusively by viruses. Cold air does not create an infection, it can only temporarily weaken the local protection of the mucous membranes.

"When a heated person enters a room with a temperature of 18 °C from 35 degrees Celsius, the vessels of the nasal mucosa and pharynx reflexively narrow. This condition lasts for 10-20 minutes. If at this moment a virus is already present in the respiratory tract, picked up in transport or from a colleague, the weakened barrier does not have time to neutralize it, and the virus enters the cells. But if there is no virus in the body, cooling alone will not lead to illness. That is why one person sleeps all night under the air conditioner and does not get sick, while the other sits down for five minutes under the stream and begins to feel unwell in a matter of hours. The air conditioner is just a trigger, not the root cause," the doctor said.

The second myth that the expert dispelled is that a direct stream of cold air necessarily leads to a cold.

"There are two scenarios that many people confuse with each other. Waking up in the morning, a person cannot turn his neck, feels a sharp pain, and his back feels wooden. Most often, these are signs of myositis — inflammation of the muscles from local vascular spasm. The direct flow of icy air onto a warmed-up muscle causes tension. Many people get lost at this moment and think that these are the first signs of a cold and immediately start taking antiviral medications, but it's safe to use a warm compress and anti—inflammatory drugs," Abakumov said.

As for respiratory infection, the temperature difference plays a key role here. If the difference from the street does not exceed 5-7 °C and the air is not directed directly at the person, the risk is minimal. It is the contrast that is dangerous, when a cold jet hits a heated body, causing vascular spasm and creating a "window of vulnerability" for viruses. Therefore, the wise use of an air conditioner always involves pointing the blinds up or to the side.

The third myth: sleeping with an air conditioner is dangerous — you'll get sick in the morning.

Physiology and research suggest the opposite: people who sleep in comfortable coolness are less likely to get sick. A good night's rest requires coolness: the optimal temperature in the bedroom is 22-24 °C. If the temperature in the room is above 25 °C, falling asleep worsens, the deep sleep phase decreases, and the activity of immune cells decreases. Overheating and stuffiness harm the immune system more than moderate coolness.

Safe night use requires several conditions: a temperature of at least 22 °C, minimum fan speed, flow directed upward or away from the bed, and humidification if necessary. If these rules are followed, the conditioner helps to sleep better and, therefore, supports the immune system. People who sleep in comfortable coolness are less likely to get sick than those who suffer from stuffiness.

The safe use of an air conditioner is based around one main principle: to avoid sharp contrasts and maintain a stable temperature. First of all, you need to control the difference between the street and the room — it should not exceed 5-7 degrees. If it's +32 outside, the room has enough +25 – +26 .

"It is not necessary to turn on the air conditioner to a minimum immediately after the heat. The body tolerates gradual cooling easily, and shock with severe discomfort. The blinds of the air conditioner are always directed upwards or to the side so that the cold air is dispersed, rather than hitting a person with a direct jet. The workplace and the bed should be outside the direct blowing zone," the expert said.

The second important aspect is the cleanliness of the equipment. Dirty filters turn the air conditioner into a source of mold, dust mites, and allergens that cause sneezing, coughing, and nasal congestion. The filters must be rinsed or changed every 2-3 weeks, and professional cleaning of the indoor unit and drainage system must be ordered once a year.

The third point is the humidity of the air. The air conditioner dehumidifies the room to 20-30% humidity, drying out the mucous membranes and making them vulnerable. Use an air humidifier or put open containers with water, drink more liquid, clean your nose 2-3 times a day with saline solutions.

Finally, air conditioning is not a substitute for fresh air: open the windows for 5-10 minutes every 2-3 hours to reduce the concentration of carbon dioxide and refresh the atmosphere in the room.

Air conditioning does not directly cause colds. It does not create viruses. What is called a "cold from an air conditioner" in everyday life turns out to be either a true acute respiratory viral infection, where the virus was introduced before cooling, or myositis, as well as irritation of over-dried mucous membranes.

"All these conditions can be prevented If an air conditioner is properly configured, serviced in a timely manner, and used wisely, it protects against overheating, improves sleep, and helps the immune system. Summer shouldn't be a struggle between stuffiness and the fear of hypothermia. It is enough to follow the described principles — and the conditioner will become your ally," concluded the nutritionist.

Scorched by the sun: an abnormal heat wave is coming to Central Russia

The weather in the capital will return to the climatic norm only on the evening of May 22, meteorologists predict.

Expert of the online hypermarket "All Tools.On May 27, Maxim Sokolov told Izvestia about ways to cool an apartment in the heat without an air conditioner. For additional protection, you can use light blackout curtains, blinds, or special films that reduce the penetration of heat and ultraviolet light through the glass.

Dmitry Kuzin, Executive Director of the Association of Climate Industry Enterprises, Candidate of Economic Sciences, said on Tuesday, May 19, that Moscow residents should check the condition of their air conditioners and, if necessary, carry out maintenance, as foliage, fluff and street dust can lead to clogging. According to the expert, most often the indoor unit of the air conditioner "leaks" due to clogging of the drainage tub and tube, in which mud deposits accumulate during the operation of the air conditioner.