Dr. Sergey Vishtomov, a specialist in internal medicine and cardiology, explains whether it is safe to sleep with a fan on without harming one’s health.
اضافة اعلان
According to him, on one hand, sleeping with a fan on is possible and has many advantages: cooling — it helps to tolerate heat more easily and improves sleep quality; air circulation — it prevents stuffiness and reduces humidity in the room; white noise — for some people, the sound of the fan helps them fall asleep faster.
However, there are several important points to consider to avoid negative health consequences from sleeping with a fan.
He says: "The fan can dry out the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, weakening their protective functions and causing a local drop in body temperature, which increases susceptibility to viruses (such as acute viral respiratory infections). It also worsens chronic sinusitis or allergic rhinitis. Therefore, if a person has a weakened immune system or is prone to colds, they should avoid directing the fan at themselves or keep it rotating continuously."
Fan air can cause muscle stiffness (especially in the neck and back muscles), which can worsen unspecified back muscle pain or exacerbate arthritis. Therefore, it is preferable to reduce the fan speed or move it further away.
He adds: "In addition, fans stir up dust, which may irritate the respiratory system and increase the risk of asthma attacks. This problem can be mitigated by regularly cleaning the fan blades and using air filters."
It is also worth noting that increased sweating evaporation may lead to fluid loss from the body, causing dehydration. Therefore, it is recommended to drink water before sleep and use a humidifier.
He concludes: "A person can sleep with a fan if: it is not directed directly at them (preferably aimed at a wall or set to oscillate); there is no strong draft in the room; and they are not sick or suffering from allergies/asthma. It is better to stop using it altogether if the person has chronic ENT diseases, nerve pain, or dust allergies."
— gazeta.ru
