Severe heat and heatwaves are currently wreaking havoc in many parts of the country. Outside temperatures are reaching over 45 degrees Celsius, and people are choosing to stay in AC for hours to find relief. Whether in the office, car, or home, living without AC is becoming increasingly difficult. However, doctors and researchers say that the habit of constantly staying in AC can gradually weaken a person’s natural ability to tolerate heat.
According to experts from the health information website webmd, our body has the ability to adapt to the weather. When we live in a hot environment, the body learns to keep itself cool by sweating. However, if a person spends most of their time in an air conditioner, this natural cooling system begins to weaken. Scientists call this the adaptive comfort model. This means that a person’s body becomes accustomed to the temperature they spend most of their time in. This means that if you stay in AC all the time, even mild heat will become unbearable. This is why many people today become restless even during brief power outages. The body gradually loses its ability to withstand natural heat.
According to doctors, excessive use of AC can also dehydrate the body. Air conditioners reduce room humidity, causing both the skin and body to dry out. People who spend long periods of time in AC are more likely to experience problems like dry skin, eye irritation, and a dry throat. Many also complain of itchy eyes and blurred vision.
Not only this, poorly maintained ACs and the air in closed rooms can lead to problems like sick building syndrome. These include problems like headache, dizziness, fatigue, dry cough, difficulty in breathing and difficulty in concentrating. Research has found that respiratory problems are more common in people whose offices have less natural ventilation and the AC is on more often.