Heater use and health effects

New Delhi: Using heaters has become a common solution for many people to get relief from the cold in winter. However, this warmth may seem pleasant, but due to low humidity in the room, the air becomes dry, which has an adverse effect on the body. The throat, eyes and skin are the first to be affected.

Doctors say that the hot air coming out from the heater not only has external effects, but it can also have a serious effect on the lungs. Especially children, elderly and people suffering from respiratory problems are more sensitive to it.

effects on respiratory tract

Running the heater overnight reduces the humidity in the room and makes the air extremely dry. This dryness affects the respiratory tract, causing increased irritation. For this reason, it is common to feel dry throat, cough and heaviness in the chest after waking up in the morning.

thickening of mucus

Dry air thickens the mucus in the lungs, which can make breathing difficult. In this condition, lung hygiene slows down and the risk of infection increases. People who already have respiratory problems may have to face more problems.

Effect on asthma and allergies

Experts say that hot air from the heater can be harmful for people suffering from asthma and allergies. Staying in such air overnight can increase problems like shortness of breath, persistent cough and chest tightness. Therefore, doctors advise that such patients should use heaters limitedly.

Impact on children and elderly

Continuous use of heaters also has negative effects on children and the elderly. Due to weak immune system their body reacts rapidly to dry air. Many times, problems like increased cough or difficulty in breathing arise in children at night, which should not be ignored.

To avoid these problems it is necessary to take some precautions. Maintain light ventilation in the room so that natural flow of air is maintained. Keeping a bucket of water or a humidifier nearby keeps the humidity balanced. Do not run the heater all night and do not allow children and elderly people to sit too close to it. With this, lung health can be protected.