On hot days, many families have a habit of turning on fans all night to fall asleep more easily. Some families even turn on fans directly to themselves from evening to morning because they think it's cool enough.
However, experts believe that using fans incorrectly for a long time can cause mild dehydration, headache, dry nose and throat, or muscle aches after waking up.
It is worth mentioning that many people encounter this situation but think it is due to the weather or due to poor sleep, and do not know that the cause may come from a fan running all night.
1. Turning the fan straight to the face easily causes dry nose and throat
Constantly blowing wind into the face for hours can dry out the mucous membranes of the nose and throat. Some people wake up with sore throats, stuffy nose, or dry lips without paying attention to the cause.
2. Strong winds blowing all night easily cause muscle pain
When the body lies down for a long time under strong winds, muscles and joints may become locally cold. Many people wake up feeling shoulder and neck pain, numbness in their hands or back pain even though it was normal the day before.
3. Dusty fans can affect the respiratory tract
If the fan is not cleaned regularly, dust will spread throughout the room when the fan is operating. This can easily cause sneezing, coughing, or discomfort for people with allergic constitutions.
4. Turning the fan too hard causes mild dehydration
Continuous winds make sweat evaporate faster, making the body easily dehydrated during sleep. Some people often feel thirsty, dry skin, or tired when they wake up in the morning.
5. Young children and the elderly are more easily affected
Children and adults are often sensitive to temperature changes. If the fan is blown directly for too long, the body is easily cold at night without realizing it.
How to use a fan to be both cool and safe
Experts recommend allowing the fan to rotate in reverse instead of blowing it fixed on the person. In addition, the wind should be adjusted moderately, the fan should be cleaned periodically, and the room should be kept ventilated.
If you use a fan while sleeping, it is best to set a timer so that the fan automatically turns off near dawn when the temperature drops.
Don't think turning on the fan all night is harmless
Electric fans help cool down effectively, but using them incorrectly can affect health in the long run. Just change a few small habits, you can still sleep well without worrying about your body getting tired when you wake up.