This Morning: Dr Nighat on what to eat during a heatwave
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
The heatwave has cooled down a bit, but it’s still too hot to sleep with a thick duvet and blankets on. If you got the fan out of the loft for the few days when it was boiling hot outside, you might be tempted to keep the cool breeze blowing on your body for a little longer, but don’t! Sleeping with a fan on is actually bad for your health in a number of ways, here’s why.
According to the experts at Sleep Advisor, sleeping with a fan at night can be bad for you.
However, if you absolutely must sleep with a fan one on, the only reason to completely quit is if it’s causing a health concern.
People with asthma, allergies and dry skin are those most at risk, but there’s “no inherent danger” in sleeping with a fan in your bedroom.
The sleep experts have revealed six important reasons and scenarios where you should ditch the fan.
Allergic reactions
Fans essentially just move air around the room and this is a problem for people with allergies.
The advice explains: “As a fan moves air around the room, it causes flurries of dust and pollen to make their way into your sinuses.
“If you’re prone to allergies, asthma, and hay fever, this could stir up a whole lot of trouble.
“Also, take a close look at your fan. If it’s been collecting dust on the blades, those particles are flying through the air every time you turn it on.”
Dry air
While cool air may feel great on your skin, it’s not great for skin health.
The site reads: “A constant blast of air on your body may cause dry skin.
“Lotions and moisturisers will help prevent this, but if your skin is excessively dry, use caution and monitor your skin to make sure you’re not over-drying it.
“Another thing to consider is that some people sleep with their eyes partially open. Weird, but it does happen!
“Again, a steady airstream will dry your eyes and may cause major irritation.
“If you wear contact lenses when you sleep, this is particularly problematic.
“Some people also sleep with their mouth open, and the excess airflow will potentially dry out their mouths and throats.
“Keeping a glass of water nearby can help, but do you really want to be woken up because of a dry mouth?”
Sinus irritation
The constant stream of air also has a tendency to dry out your nasal passages, which could affect your sinuses.
The experts explain: “If the dryness is particularly extreme, it can result in your body producing excess mucus to try to compensate.
“Then, you’re more susceptible to blockage, stuffiness, and sinus headaches.”
Sore throat
Using a fan all night could potentially cause a sore throat.
The site reads: “The constant stream of air might dry out your throat, especially if you sleep with your mouth open. The air also dries out nasal passages.
“One way to minimise this risk is to use a fan that rotates rather than one that blows a steady and unrelenting flow in one concentrated area all night.”
Sore muscles
People who sleep with a breeze directly on them may wake up with stiff or sore muscles, apparently.
The advice states: “This is because the concentrated cool air can make muscles tense up and cramp.
“This problem is especially common for people who sleep with it near their face and neck.
“If you’ve been waking up with a stiff neck in the morning, it might be because of the constant breeze.”
Ears
If your fan is particularly noisy, you could do some damage to your ears.
The Sleep Advisor team pointed out: “A loud, repetitive piece of equipment droning on and on close to your ears all night certainly isn’t good for them.
“If you are using this in your bedroom, make sure that it has a relatively quiet hum.”
Source: Read Full Article