Can you imagine living in Dubai, prior to air conditioning? Sounds almost impossible. While air conditioning could well be the single most important invention that aided the transformation of the emirate and the entire region, like everything else in life, it comes with a flip side. Air conditioning contributes to certain health issues, but experts say it is easy to minimise the impact that living in constant air conditioning can have on the skin, hair, respiratory tract and even joints. The benefits of air conditioning include the filtering of dust, humidification, cooling and disinfection, providing us cleaner and safer air to breathe. Problems are often associated with unclean filters, poor maintenance and setting the temperature very low. After much research, experts have arrived at what is called the sick building syndrome, based on findings over the past few decades. It reveals that occupants of air-conditioned office buildings, on average, report more health symptoms than occupants of buildings with natural ventilation. The symptoms in these studies included mucous membrane irritation, breathing difficulties, irritated skin and constitutional or neurological symptoms such as headache and fatigue. Most of these symptoms are interpreted as an allergy to air conditioning, but this is not the case, says Dr Rismon Panolan Hakkim, Specialist Pulmonologist, Aster Jubilee Medical Complex. “Actually, these symptoms are an allergy to common allergens such as house dust mites, pets, pollens or smoke. These manifest as allergy symptoms inside centrally air-conditioned rooms due to the recirculation of these allergens. Sudden temperature variations to the body can also cause symptoms in patients suffering from these allergies or who are asthmatic,” he says. Here are some common ailments caused by living in centrally cooled environments and the solutions to combat them.
Problem: Indoor air pollution
The Environmental Protection Agency warns that indoor air pollutants might be greater than contaminated air outside. As people spend a vast amount of time indoors, this increases risks for people with respiratory problems and cardiovascular disease. In some cases, asthma attacks and pneumonia can develop. If the air in your home is poorly circulated or contains allergens, you may start to suffer from nasal issues, itchy eyes, headaches, dizziness or breathing problems. Outdoor air reduces the amount of air pollutants in the home. Central air units do not bring fresh air into the home, and therefore cannot reduce the concentration of indoor pollutants. Solution: Keep the AC filter clean and get the ducts and vents regularly serviced. Covering vents with a cloth during pollen season can help to keep the allergens out. It is also best not to use wall-to-wall carpeting or collect too many stuffed toys, as both attract and capture dust, says Dr Hakkim.
Problem: Dry skin
Researchers say a room where an air conditioner is running is as dry and arid as a desert. This is because air conditioners pull out humidity from the air, and ACs are not selective about the moisture they pull. If your skin is not sufficiently protected to combat this, constant dryness will affect its inner layer. To worsen the situation, people often step out of an air conditioned office or car into the blazing hot sun. This sudden shift from one climate to another is stressful on the skin. Solution: Don’t use harsh soaps while bathing. Always moisturise your face and use a body lotion after showering.
Problem: Respiratory illnesses
Mucus membranes also dry out as a result of air conditioning overuse, which can leave you vulnerable to upper respiratory infections, fatigue and other illnesses. Central air conditioners create condensation on the cooling coils and in drain pans, which can grow microorganisms and mould. These are spread throughout the home by the central air-conditioning ventilation system. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people with asthma, bronchitis or other respiratory illnesses can suffer serious lung infections, shortness of breath, wheezing or other severe reactions. Solution: “Proper and timely cleaning of air conditioning ducts and servicing is mandatory. For those who suffer from a persistence of respiratory allergies it is advisable to consult a homeopathic physician to get it treated,” says Dr Usha Khatri, Clinic Manager and City Head, Dr. Batra’s Positive Health Clinic.
Problem: No sun
Spending a great deal of time in an air-conditioned space not only affects a person’s ability to deal with heat but can cause a vitamin D deficiency, a common problem in the UAE, says Dr Khatri. Not being exposed to heat means you can feel exhausted from exposure to it. Dizziness, headaches, difficulty breathing and even heat stroke can occur in people who spend a long duration of time in airconditioned spaces. During a heatwave, this can lead to the serious deterioration of health. Solution: “Daily exposure to sunlight for at least 15 to 20 minutes, preferably in the morning, is essential,” says Dr Khatri. It is also a good idea to eat lunch outside. In addition to giving your body a dose of sunlight, it will also prevent you from becoming intolerant to heat in the long term.
