The beautiful days are often accompanied by suffocating nights. And faced with heat, difficult to sleep without a little boost. Many then use their fan: easy, economical, and more environmentally friendly than air conditioning. But to let this breath turn over you all night really without consequences? Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor, alerts on several often underestimated side effects.
The fan, an ally accessible to better support the heat
If it seduces as much, it is because the fan offers simple and direct cooling without the disagreements linked to air conditioning. It does not really damage the temperature, but improves the feeling of freshness thanks to the circulation of air.
Unlike air conditioning, there is no risk of thermal shock. It is generally enough to connect it for it to work. It is therefore a more ecological and economical solution, ideal when looking for a compromise between comfort and energy sobriety.
The side effects of the fan, according to an emergency doctor
If it has advantages, the fan is not without drawbacks. “”Sleeping with a fan can be useful for refreshing the room, but has some drawbacks “ warns Dr Gérald Kierzek. Among the most frequent:
- A drying of the mucous membranes (nose, throat, eyes);
- An irritation or cough linked to air too dry or cold;
- Frequent awakenings with a feeling of thirst;
- A worsening of allergies if the dust and mite breast firing.
And that’s not all: muscle tensions are also to be monitored. Prolonged and direct exposure can cause cervical stiffness upon waking up.
On the other hand, our expert twists the neck at a received idea: “The fan does not cause colds, only viruses are responsible for it“.
Advice to use your fan well at night
No question of throwing your fan for all that. The tip lies in thoughtful and moderate use. Dr. Kierzek recommends in particular not to direct the device directly to you and to opt for the oscillating mode. Ideal? Program it so that it stops after a few hours.
The other precautions to follow to sleep in the fridge without discomfort are as follows:
- Position it remotely to avoid the constant air flow on the body;
- Clean it regularly to limit the dispersion of allergens;
- Maintain sufficient humidity in the room with a humid twig or cloth;
- Air early in the morning or late in the evening to bring fresh air without accumulated heat.
With these simple gestures, the fan can become an effective night ally, without compromising either sleep or health.