What happens to our body when we sleep with an electric fan on

by Shirley Marie Bradby

June 15, 2019

What happens to our body when we sleep with an electric fan on
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Summer, in addition to finally bringing good weather, is synonymous with heat and humidity and some days, it seems truly difficult to survive without the help of air conditioners and fans.

Especially if we are forced to spend all summer in the city, without any relief, the heat can really bring us down.

After a long and tiring day at work, we feel that the time for a well-deserved rest has arrived, but often in the evening, it is hard to fall asleep because of the heat! So, what can we do about it?

If you do not have the latest climate control technology to cool your home, the most immediate and economical solution is definitely an electric fan or ventilator.

In fact, some people tend to use their electric fan even at night, while they are sleeping, in order to enjoy a minimum of refreshing coolness. But what happens when we sleep with the fan on? The effects on our body are not as beneficial as one might think.

via livescience.com

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1. Dryness

1. Dryness

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When you sleep with an electric fan on, the air in the room dries up drastically and our body also suffers. Do have in mind, when you wake up in the morning with a dry mouth and a sore throat? It is a common problem, especially if you are used to sleeping with your mouth open. The air stirred by an electtric fan helps to dry the throat even more. 

The same thing can happen to your eyes and nose. In fact, some people sleep with their eyelids involuntarily open, leaving their eyes prone to dryness and redness. In addition, our nasal cavities, are also depleted of their natural humidity, becoming more exposed to possible irritations such as bleeding from the nose, or general discomfort caused by the air stirred by an electric fan.

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2. Allergy & Asthma

2. Allergy & Asthma

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Furthermore, the use of an electric fan can very well provoke, or worsen an already existing situation, of allergy or asthma (as if the misfortune of being allergic were not already enough!).

Exposure to dust and other allergens in the home can cause asthma attacks or allergic reactions in many people.

Now, just think -- when your fan is running --- all the mites and dust celebrate victory in your bedroom, thanks to a whirlwind of constantly supplied air!

Sneezing, rashes, asthma attacks, and dry skin are all reactions that can be linked to using a ventilator or electric fan during the night.

3. Body pain

3. Body pain

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When the air reaches a certain temperature, our body can react negatively. In fact, it is normal to wake up in the morning with a pain in the back or neck, after having slept all night with an electric fan turned on.

This is due to the fact that, while we sleep, our muscles contract because of the air emitted by the device. 

What to do then? 

A suggestion that you can keep in mind in order to reduce the negative effects of an electric fan or ventilator if you want to continue using it, is to position it away from your face

We also recommend the use of an air purifier for the home, so as to be able to filter the air and thereby, eliminate some of the dust present and also pet hair, for those who have a pet. 

Always try to clean the filters and blades of your ventilator or electric fan --- this is essential. If you are allergic to mites and dust, in addition to rigorous and daily cleaning, it would still be advisable to avoid using a fan or a ventilator, especially at night.

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In conclusion, really think about it before you decide to turn on your old and faithful ventilator or electric fan before going to sleep because you might wake up worse than before you went to bed!

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