Call us today at (314) 471-7625. We will help you improve the air quality in your home. We will give you options that best meet your needs and budget.
The old myth about a draft or cold air giving you a cold or flu is not based on scientific facts. Airborne viruses cause flu and colds. Coming in contact with the virus is the only way you will catch the disease.
But what if you notice that you are getting headaches when the AC is on? Is there a connection between the two?
Why Your Air Conditioning Unit is Giving You a Headache
There are many possible reasons since headaches are symptoms of so many conditions. Here are some possible causes for headaches that are directly related to the use of air conditioning.
- Dry air may dehydrate you enough to give you a headache – Dehydration causes many problems in the body, including headaches. If your air conditioning unit is making the indoor air too dry, you may notice headaches, skin rashes, itchiness, and other signs that your body needs some moisture. One way to check if this is indeed the reason you have AC-related headaches, get a hygrometer – an instrument that measures the relative humidity in the air. The comfort level is between 40-60%, so going lower than that may mean that you need to add some humidity to the room. Buy a humidifier and drink plenty of water to prevent this side effect.
- The indoor air is too cold, giving you a brain freeze – “Brain freeze” is mainly associated with eating super cold foods like ice cream. When they touch the roof of your mouth, you may experience a throbbing headache that disappears quickly after. If the indoor air is too cold and you are breathing it through your mouth, it might actually give you a brain freeze. It is also not recommended to set the AC unit on a low level while you are in the house.
- Your headache is caused by mold – Unlike the previous possible causes, mold is indeed dangerous to your health. If your headache is caused by mold in the air, it could be followed by other health problems, like asthma, allergies, or breathing difficulties. If your air conditioning unit does not remove enough moisture from the air, it might become a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. Again, a hygrometer will tell you if the moisture level is too high. If this is the case, you will want to have your indoor air quality checked by a professional HVAC company.
St. Louis Indoor Air Quality
At Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC, we have over 30 years of experience in the HVAC industry. Thomas Hoffmann, formerly of Hoffmann Brothers, has 30+ years of engineering St. Louis HVAC systems. This experience gives us an advantage over our competition.
Call us today at (314) 471-7625. We will help you improve the air quality in your home. We will give you options that best meet your needs and budget.