In the midst of summer, as temperatures rise, air conditioning has become a necessity in people's lives. However, many people have misconceptions about the use of air conditioning, either relying too much on it to cause health problems or enduring high temperatures due to concerns about power consumption. How to use air conditioning correctly while balancing health and energy efficiency? Zhang Weiru, a general practitioner at Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, introduced that improper use of air conditioning can easily lead to air conditioning diseases. Respiratory symptoms include nasal congestion, runny nose, dry cough, and sore throat. In severe cases, it may trigger asthma or bronchitis; Muscle and joint symptoms include neck and shoulder pain, joint stiffness, and discomfort in the lower back; Skin and mucosal symptoms include dry skin, dry eyes, and nasal mucosal bleeding; The systemic symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, and lack of concentration, and children may experience abdominal pain and diarrhea. How to use air conditioning scientifically and stay away from "air conditioning disease"? Zhang Weiru introduced from a health perspective that when blowing air conditioning in summer, it is necessary to control the temperature, duration, and ventilation reasonably. In terms of temperature setting, the most suitable indoor temperature is 24 to 26 degrees Celsius. Too low a temperature can cause blood vessels to constrict and joints to catch a cold, especially for the elderly and children. In terms of usage duration, continuous use of air conditioning should not exceed 4 hours. Prolonged exposure to a closed environment can cause air turbidity and reduced humidity, which can easily lead to respiratory discomfort. In terms of sleep usage, it is recommended to turn on the "sleep mode" during nighttime sleep, and the temperature can be raised to 26 to 28 degrees Celsius. If you need to keep the air conditioning on all night, you need to place a basin of water or use a humidifier in the bedroom to maintain a humidity of 40% -60%. In addition, the neck, waist, knee joints, and feet are areas that are prone to catching cold. When turning on the air conditioner, wear thin long sleeved clothes, cover the knees with thin blankets, and wear cotton socks under the feet to avoid direct cold air blowing on the body (especially avoiding the air conditioning vents facing the head or back). What measures should be taken to prevent "air conditioning disease"? Zhang Weiru said that firstly, it is necessary to regularly clean the air conditioning filter (recommended to clean it every 2 weeks) to avoid the accumulation of dust on the filter, which can breed mold and mites and cause allergies when blown out with the wind; Secondly, avoid entering the air-conditioned room directly when sweating profusely. You should first dry your sweat, take a short rest, and then enter the air-conditioned environment; Thirdly, when turning on the air conditioner, do not let the cold air blow directly onto your body. You can adjust the direction of the air outlet upwards to allow the cold air to naturally sink; Fourthly, when engaging in long-term activities in air-conditioned rooms, get up and move for 5 minutes every hour to promote blood circulation and drink plenty of water to keep the mucous membranes moist. In daily life, some elderly people refuse to turn on air conditioning due to concerns about catching a cold or consuming electricity. In fact, excessive heat and humidity pose a greater threat to health - high temperatures can cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, increase the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and even trigger heatstroke. Zhang Weiru provided some advice on using air conditioning for the elderly. One is to dispel cognitive misconceptions: the risk of high temperatures to the elderly is much higher than the appropriate use of air conditioning. Among the population who die from heatstroke in summer, the elderly account for more than 60%, and there is no need to bear it out of fear of catching a cold; The second is gradual adaptation: when turning on the air conditioner for the first time, the temperature can be set to 28 degrees Celsius to allow the body to gradually adapt, and then fine tuned according to comfort to avoid using too low a temperature at the beginning; Thirdly, master the segmented usage method: turn on the air conditioning at different times every day (such as from 10am to 4pm during high temperature periods), and open windows for ventilation at other times to ensure coolness and reduce dependence; The fourth is to combine other cooling methods: when turning on the air conditioner, a fan (shaking head mode) can be used to circulate the cold air more evenly, which can reduce the air conditioning load and avoid local overcooling; The fifth is to ask children to pay more attention and help the elderly set the air conditioning temperature and timing function, explain the health risks of excessive heat and humidity, and regularly help the elderly clean the air conditioning to eliminate concerns about use. How to make air conditioning energy-efficient and efficient from an energy-saving perspective? Dr. Xu Xia, a general practitioner at Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, introduced some techniques. In terms of power saving, it is necessary to set a reasonable temperature for the air conditioner. For every 1 degree Celsius increase, the power consumption of the air conditioner can be reduced by 6% -8%. 26 degrees Celsius can save about 15% of electricity per day compared to 24 degrees Celsius, and the difference in physical sensation is not significant. In addition, it is necessary to avoid frequent starting and stopping. When the air conditioner is started, the compressor requires a large current, and frequent switching on and off actually consumes more electricity. Leaving for a short period of time (such as within 1 hour) does not require turning off the air conditioning, and the temperature can be raised by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius; If left for more than 2 hours, it is recommended to close. In the scorching summer, what scientific methods can be used to quickly cool air conditioning? Xu Xia introduced that one is to ventilate and cool down in advance: open the window for 10 minutes before turning on the air conditioner to allow the indoor hot air to circulate, close the curtains to block direct sunlight, and then close the doors and windows to turn on the air conditioner. The cooling speed can be increased by 30%. The second is to select a reasonable mode. At the initial stage, open the "strong wind" or "fast cooling" mode, set the temperature to 24 ℃, adjust it to 26 ℃ after the room temperature drops, and switch to the "silent mode". Xu Xia said that using air conditioning correctly can not only enjoy a comfortable environment, but also protect health and save energy. Remember the sixteen character formula of "suitable temperature, timed ventilation, thorough cleaning, and flexible adjustment", making air conditioning a good helper for a healthy summer life. If there are persistent symptoms of "air conditioning disease", it is recommended to seek medical attention at a general practitioner in a timely manner to avoid minor problems from becoming chronic diseases. (New Society)