The soaring mercury and heat waves can make it difficult to get restful sleep on hot summer nights. While there are ways to manage sleep during summer, many people habitually switch on the air conditioning (AC) and slumber peacefully through the night in the cool room. While some studies suggest that this is risk-free, experts highlight the health consequences of continuous AC exposure while sleeping. The perils are manifold and could unfold in the form of disrupted sleep patterns, respiratory woes, dry and parched skin or a persistent cough. Sleeping in the AC for long hours might do more harm than good to the health of kids as well as adults.
Effect of sleeping in AC on health
1. Dry skin and eyes
Air conditioning removes moisture from the air, creating an environment with low humidity levels. This can leave your skin feeling dry and parched, especially after exposure for eight hours or longer, says Dr Haleema Yezdani, general physician and diabetologist from Bangalore. Additionally, dry air can also cause your eyes to feel parched and gritty, increasing the likelihood of discomfort and potential eye strain.
2. Respiratory issues
To ensure proper cooling of an air-conditioned room, one needs to close all the doors and windows. The inadequate ventilation and continuous air conditioning keep the room filled with stagnant air. Yezdani says, “Proper ventilation allows for the circulation of fresh air and removal of indoor pollutants such as dust and allergens which can accumulate in enclosed spaces.” As you sleep in a room with the AC running overnight, stagnant air causes these pollutants to build up, leading to poor indoor air quality and potential health issues like respiratory irritation, allergies and the exacerbation of asthma symptoms. Moreover, moisture remains trapped in the confined air, promoting the growth of mold and mildew, which can further exacerbate respiratory problems and cause unpleasant odors.
3. Dry cough
The dry air from an AC can irritate the respiratory tract, leading to a persistent dry cough. Yezdani says, “The lack of moisture in the air can cause the mucous membranes in the throat and airways to become parched and irritated.” Throat irritation and hoarseness could also result from prolonged exposure to dry air while sleeping.
4. Ear infections or blocks
Direct exposure to cold air from AC vents can affect the ears, leading to discomfort or even pain, says Yezdani. She adds, “The sudden change in temperature can cause the Eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the back of the throat, to constrict or become blocked. As a result, one could feel that the ear is full or pressurized.”
5. Fatigue
Sleeping in a cold and dry air-conditioned space may impact sleep quality, causing people to feel fatigued or unwell in general. Poor sleep quality can leave individuals feeling groggy and tired, even after a full night’s rest. This leads to decreased productivity on the following day and affects people’s overall well-being.
6. Disrupting core body temperature
Sleeping in the AC can cool your body excessively, disrupting its natural temperature regulation mechanisms, says Yezdani. While a comfortable bedroom temperature is essential for quality sleep, when it is too cold, it could lead to hypothermia or a significant drop in one’s core body temperature. “This can cause discomfort, shivering and even lead to health complications, especially in the vulnerable — infants, older people and those with compromised immune systems,” she adds.
Impact of air conditioning on newborn babies
Air conditioners are safe for newborn babies, provided the temperature is regulated and adjusted to their body temperature, says Dr Vidya Vimal, senior consultant pediatrician, SP Medifort Hospital, Trivandrum. She adds that the parents should switch on the AC at least 20 minutes before bringing their newborns inside a room and the temperature should be maintained at 25–27°C. “Parents should ensure that babies are not directly exposed to cold air so that they do not develop a cough, which could lead to pneumonia,” she adds.
Some newborns and infants might also be allergic to the cold; hence, it is not advisable to expose them to extremely cold temperatures. Moreover, air conditioners should be cleaned frequently to avoid other allergies like dust.
Sleeping in a room with AC: What to do
Optimal AC temperature
While sleeping, a temperature between 20–25°C is optimal, recommends Yezdani. However, individual preferences may vary, and adjustments may be necessary based on external factors such as outdoor temperature and humidity levels. In extremely hot conditions, people may be tempted to set the AC at lower temperatures, but this can lead to excessive cooling and potential health risks.
Duration of exposure
Yezdani says that while there is no way to circumvent continuous exposure in spaces with centralized AC, this continuous exposure can disrupt natural sleep patterns. Yezdani says, “It is advisable to limit AC usage during sleep to 1-2 hours or use programmable thermostats to maintain a comfortable temperature for a shorter duration.”
