Can Air Conditioning Cause Headaches?

Air conditioning can be a blessing during the hot summer months, especially for those who would prefer to stop sweating profusely all over themselves. But not everyone feels good when they’re in a frigid retail store or even when they’re in their own home. They may struggle to find the right temperature, running hot or cold as they turn it a few notches up or down. Or they may even start to experience headaches when they feel their air conditioning kick on.

Blood Vessel Constriction

A cold stimulus headache effectively occurs when the blood vessels in the body constrict. If your body is trying to shield itself from freezing, it will slow the blood to protect the core. Unfortunately, this can also give you a headache because it’s interfering with the trigeminal nerve in the brain. If you’re in your house when this happens, you can turn up the thermostat. But if you’re out, you may just have to step outside.

Humidity

Your air conditioning makes it difficult to maintain a healthy level of humidity in the air. Too much humidity in the air can cause discomfort, but too little will dry out your skin and body. If you’re in air conditioning on a regular basis, you may develop headaches from even mild dehydration. Buying a humidifier can help, as can drinking more water to help counteract the drying effects.

Mold

When your air is blowing, your air conditioning unit gets wet and hot, making it the perfect area for mold to grow. If the coil isn’t serviced often enough, it could be the spores that are causing your headache and not a lack of humidity or blood constriction. If the mold removal is confined to one particular spot, you may be able to either clean the machine or replace it. However, mold can easily spread throughout the home, which may mean you’ll need a professional to help.

Trusted Air Conditioning Services

If you need to replace, service, or repair your air conditioning, Air Max HVAC can help. If you’re experiencing headaches in the greater Burbank area, we may be able to help. Whether you have questions about how you can maintain your unit or you think you may need a new one, give us a call today to find out more about what we can do for you!