Sleeping in an air-conditioned room can help you fall asleep easily, especially when the weather is hot. However, sometimes we experience familiar discomforts in the morning such as a dry throat, nasal congestion, sinus pain, or a dry cough.
Interestingly, even when in the same air-conditioned room, some people experience these problems while others do not. Sometimes, simply lowering the temperature by 1-2°C can cause discomfort in the sinuses the next morning, according to the health website Medical News Today (UK).
In fact, the impact of air conditioning depends not only on the set temperature but also on air humidity and airflow direction. Additionally, people with allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, or asthma are often more sensitive and prone to experiencing discomfort when sleeping in an air-conditioned room.
Sometimes the discomfort of sleeping with air conditioning is due to reduced humidity, not the excessively cold temperature.
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The impact of air conditioning on respiration is not simply the blowing of cold air, but a combination of cold, dry air and a continuous airflow. Physiologically, the nose acts as a natural regulator, warming, humidifying, and filtering the air before it reaches the lungs.
Sleeping in an air-conditioned room all night, especially at low temperatures and reduced humidity, can easily dehydrate the nasal mucosa. This results in a dry, irritated feeling in the nose and throat, thicker mucus, nasal congestion, and reduced sinus drainage.
At what temperature does air conditioning start affecting respiration?
The question is, "At what temperature does air conditioning begin to affect respiration and nasal sinuses?" Experts say it's impossible to determine an absolute temperature that applies to everyone. This is because respiratory responses vary greatly from person to person.
However, research data suggests that the nasal mucosa tends to function optimally around a temperature of approximately 23°C. When the temperature of inhaled air is significantly lower or higher than this level, the rate of mucus transport in the nose can decrease, and the respiratory tract begins to be affected.
In fact, many sensitive individuals find that symptoms such as nasal congestion and dryness become more pronounced when room temperatures drop below around 23°C, especially if humidity is low.
To minimize discomfort, air conditioner temperature should be adjusted based on individual symptom thresholds. Those prone to nasal congestion or dry throats can start at 24-26°C. Then, if they prefer a cooler temperature, they can gradually lower it to find a comfortable sleeping temperature without irritation. If accustomed to sleeping at a cool 18-20°C, attention should be paid to humidity control and avoiding direct airflow to the face.
In many cases, the main cause of discomfort when sleeping with air conditioning is not the temperature but the humidity. Air conditioners reduce the humidity in a room, especially when left on all night in a confined space.
When humidity drops, the mucous membranes of the nose and throat tend to dry out, mucus thickens, and the respiratory tract's ability to self-clean decreases, according to Medical News Today.