Air conditioning is a staple for staying comfortable during the hottest months of the year. Although air conditioning poses no significant risk to your overall health, it can alter your environment which can have an impact on your body. Air conditioning pulls the moisture out of the air in order to cool it which creates a very dry environment. If you’re experiencing illness symptoms during the summertime, your body may be reacting to changes in your environment caused by air conditioning. Keep reading to learn more about how air conditioning affects your body and how to tell whether your symptoms are being caused by an illness or are due to the effects of air conditioning.
At AFC Urgent Care Braintree, our team of expert medical providers is trained to diagnose and treat a variety of common illness symptoms. If you’re feeling under the weather, walk into the clinic for a swift diagnosis and same-day treatment.
Symptoms of a Summer Cold
Although illness cases tend to decline during the summertime, it is still possible to catch a cold during the summer months. Cases decline when the weather is warm because we spend more time outdoors where it is harder to pick up a lingering virus. However, viruses that cause illnesses like the common cold are still plentiful in the summer. It is important to understand your symptoms and be able to identify whether they are being caused by an illness. Common summer cold symptoms include:
- Stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Cough
- Fatigue
Symptoms Caused by Exposure to Air Conditioning
Prolonged air conditioning exposure can have an impact on your health. Although using air conditioning does not pose a risk to your health, air conditioning cannot cause you to get sick. It does change your environment which can cause changes in your body. Sometimes, the effects of staying in an airconditioned space may cause mild symptoms similar to a cold. Common symptoms caused by air conditioning exposure include congestion, a runny nose, coughing, watery eyes, and a sore throat. It can be difficult to determine the cause of your symptoms, however, if they are caused by air conditioning then they likely will resolve once you turn off the air conditioning or if you step outside for a few minutes.
How to Prevent Symptoms Caused by AC Exposure
If you find that you’re suffering from symptoms when you spend time in the air conditioning, it can be frustrating. If you determine that your symptoms are caused by air conditioning and not an illness, there are a few steps that you can take to make yourself more comfortable. Air conditioning units dry out the air which can have a variety of impacts on your body. Because of this, limiting how much you use your air conditioning will be the most effective way to manage your symptoms. However, you can try these tips to help manage your symptoms:
- Lower your air conditioning
- Use a humidifier in your bedroom
- Use over-the-counter nasal sprays for congestion
- Take a decongestant when you wake up
Visit AFC Urgent Care Braintree for Illness Symptom Diagnosis & Treatment
If you’re suffering from mild illness symptoms during the summertime, you could be experiencing symptoms caused by prolonged air conditioning exposure. At AFC Urgent Care Braintree, our medical providers are board-certified and trained to diagnose common illness symptoms. We offer same-day care for patients of all ages in Braintree, MA, and the surrounding communities. Our clinic is open 7 days a week and accepts most medical insurance plans. Simply walk-in when it’s convenient for you, or schedule your visit online in advance.
