Doctor says sleeping with a fan on can cause 'hidden stresses' on our bodies
Summer is here and for many people across the Northern Hemisphere it's getting too hot to sleep comfortably at night. So a lot of us may be turning to fans to keep us cool. However, one doctor has said sleeping with a fan on could be causing 'hidden stress' on our bodies (Picture: Getty) US-based medic Dr Naheed Ali, who also has a PhD as an health expert, told LadBible: 'The fan cools the skin by speeding up evaporation, and that steady airflow can leave the nasal passages and throat uncomfortably dry by morning. A dry airway produces thicker mucus, which can trap allergens and irritants close to sensitive tissue. Over time, this may trigger coughing, a scratchy voice, or clogged sinuses that linger through the day' (Picture: Getty) He added that the airflow from the fan could stir up dust from bedding and flooring, and these particles of lint, dander and pollen could reach deeper into your airway as you sleep. People who also have asthma or mild allergies may find themselves with extra chest tightness or sneezing after having the fan on (Picture: Getty) But it's not only your sinuses that could be affected. Dr Ali explains that your muscles exposed to cool air for seven or eight hours can cause a drop in temperature in your tissues, which can lead to stiff neck and aching shoulders upon waking. This symptom will persist until a warm shower or gentle stretching restores the normal blood flow (Picture: Getty) Houses across the UK are not adapted to function well in the heat, so what can you do when it gets too hot? Dr Ali suggested that if running a fan is the only solution for sleeping comfortably then you should try having it on a timer. He recommends to set the timer to last the first sleep cycle which is 90 minutes, so that it switches off after you fall asleep (Picture: Getty) He suggests that you should direct the airflow toward the opposite wall instead of it being aimed straight towards the bed. You should also have a glass of water beside the bed in case your mouth goes dry. He said: 'Replacing bedroom filters and washing sheets weekly will reduce airborne dust. These small adjustments let the fan cool the room without increasing discomfort in the airways or joints during the full night' (Picture: Getty) Those at the Sleep Foundation have suggested some other ways to keep cool at night which include: • Using cool bedding and pyjamas• Using a cooling mattress and bedding• Showering before bed• Cool down the bedroom during the day• Turn on air conditioning
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