Doctor issues warning over alarming health risks of sleeping with fan on during hot weather
With sunshine gracing the UK, Britons have been making the most of an early taste of summer.
But with only around 5% of UK homes equipped with air conditioning, people are resorting to chilling their pillowcases in the freezer, drinking ice-cold water to cool down, or buying a fan.
While a bedside fan might seem like a lifesaver, one health expert has issued a warning about the hidden health risks of sleeping with an electric fan on all night.
Speaking with LADbible, PhD health expert Dr. Naheed Ali explained that while fans help cool the skin by speeding up sweat evaporation, leaving one on all night can 'create hidden stress on the body'.
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The constant airflow can dry out your sinuses and throat, leaving you feeling dehydrated and that dry throat sensation the next morning, the senior contributor at Vera Clinic said.
"A dry airway produces thicker mucus, which can trap allergens and irritants close to sensitive tissue," Dr. Ali explained. "Over time, this may trigger coughing, a scratchy voice, or clogged sinuses that linger through the day."
For those with asthma or allergies, running a fan overnight can 'stir up' dust and lead to chest tightness, the physician added.
"Continuous airflow also stirs up dust from bedding and flooring. Tiny particles of lint, dander, and pollen stay in motion and may reach deeper into the airways while you sleep," Dr. Ali described. "People with asthma or mild allergies often wake with extra chest tightness or sneezing after a night with the fan on."
Sleeping in a constant stream of cool air can also result in muscle stiffness.
Dr. Ali noted that a drop in tissue temperature could lead to muscle tightening as a defence response. As a result, individuals who keep their fan blowing all night are likely to wake up with a sore neck and shoulders the next morning.
"The chilled muscles tighten as a natural defence, and that tension may persist until a warm shower or gentle stretching restores normal blood flow," he added.
However, if a bedroom fan is non-negotiable for your summer sleeping habits, Dr. Ali has some tips.
The first step is to set the fan on a timer, allowing it to run for up to the first 90-minute sleep cycle before automatically turning off. Furthermore, the doctor advised against placing the fan directly in front of you. Instead, point it at a wall to keep air circulating more gently and keep a glass of water within reach to relieve a dry mouth or throat.
Finally, Dr. Ali recommends washing your sheets weekly and replacing bedroom air filters regularly to minimise dust and pollen.