Insidious danger: how to protect yourself from drafts during the heat wave and why you should do it

Despite the fact that the air temperature has dropped slightly, Ukrainians continue to be plagued by heat. In such weather, especially during power outages, it is tempting to open all windows and even doors in an attempt to cool down, but this method is dangerous due to drafts.

Doctors warn that drafts are much more dangerous than frosts, as they cause localized hypothermia. That is why it is better to avoid them, no matter how hot it is in the room.

In the case of a draft, a small part of the body is exposed to a directed stream of cold air, which a person may not even notice. The body does not react to such a localized threat and does not turn on its defense functions. Because of this, a draft almost unhindered affects the ears, eyes, neck, chest, lower back, and other parts of the body, causing a number of diseases: otitis media, bronchitis, sciatica, and others.

For example, drafts often cause neuropathy and radiculitis of the cervical, thoracic, lumbosacral spine. In the area of the bone canals of the skull and spine, the place where the nerve roots exit, inflammatory and dystrophic processes can develop, causing severe pain. Therefore, the face and back should be protected from drafts in the first place.

How to protect yourself from drafts

In summer, drafts are often caused by air conditioners that people use incorrectly. The temperature difference between the street and the room should not be too sharp; normally, it should not exceed 10 degrees.

It is also important that the flow of cold air is directed along the ceiling so that a person is not directly exposed to a draft. With a properly installed air conditioner, the cold air, which is heavier, will gradually descend, preventing the risk of the above diseases.

You should try to protect yourself from drafts as much as possible: do not sit under air conditioners or powerful fans, do not lie on the floor with the windows open, and do not lower the windows in the car from different sides.

Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote about how to fall asleep if it is hot at home. Scientists have found that a person may experience insomnia when the room temperature rises above +24 degrees Celsius. First of all, experts advise keeping your head cool.

We also debunked five myths about the summer heat and ways to cool down. These include cold showers and sleeping without a blanket.

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