When the first heatwaves of the season begin, many people turn to air conditioners, fans, and cold drinks as a familiar way to "cool down."
But few realize that these seemingly harmless habits are silently weakening the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, making the body more susceptible to viruses and bacteria and increasing the risk of ear, nose, and throat diseases in the summer.
Below are the most common habits that many people are engaging in 👇
1) Sitting in air conditioning for too long – setting the temperature too low
Air conditioning provides immediate comfort, but the cold and dry air dries out the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, reducing the respiratory tract's ability to protect itself.
Common Consequences:
• Dry, sore throat, persistent cough
• Sore throat, tonsillitis
• Nasal congestion, recurrent allergic rhinitis
• Increased risk of sinusitis in people with a history of it
2) Sweating profusely in the heat… immediately shower or sit in front of a fan
Many people, after being in the sun, immediately take a cold shower or sit in front of a fan/air conditioner to “cool down quickly”.
The sudden temperature change prevents the body from adapting, easily leading to upper respiratory tract infections.
Commonly encountered:
• Acute pharyngitis
• Laryngitis, hoarseness
• Persistent cough and runny nose
3) Drinking iced water, cold milk tea, ice cream… too frequently
Cold drinks provide immediate relief, but can strongly irritate the throat lining, especially when the body is hot.
Over time, this can cause:
• Recurrent sore throat
• Pharyngitis
• Chronic tonsillitis
• Persistent hoarseness
4) Sleeping with air conditioning on all night without using a humidifier
Cold, dry air for many hours dehydrates the respiratory tract. You may not feel it immediately, but you will usually notice:
Typical symptoms:
• Dry throat, sore throat
• Nasal congestion
• Dry cough with phlegm
• Persistent feeling of something stuck in the throat
5) Abusing nasal sprays for congestion
Many people buy nasal sprays and use them continuously to breathe easier when they have a stuffy nose. But if you use the wrong type or use it for too many days, your nose can become dependent on the medication, and the mucous membrane may become more severely swollen.
Consequences:
• Persistent nasal congestion
• Rhinitis (inflammation of the nose and throat)
• Increased risk of sinusitis
6) Being complacent when experiencing a cough, runny nose, and sore throat for a few days
- Many people think, "It's probably just a mild cold," so they try to endure it or self-medicate.
- But in reality, if treated incorrectly or ignored, the illness can progress to sinusitis, otitis media, chronic tonsillitis, or even long-term complications.
How to protect your ears, nose, and throat in the summer?
✔ Avoid setting the air conditioner too cold (ideally 26–28°C)
✔ Avoid sudden temperature changes
✔ Limit iced drinks and ice cream when it's hot
✔ Drink enough water, consider using a humidifier
✔ Do not overuse nasal sprays
✔ Seek medical attention early if you experience persistent sore throat, nasal congestion, or tinnitus
If you are experiencing prolonged nasal congestion, recurring sore throat, persistent cough, or chronic sinusitis… Don't be complacent, as the condition may have become chronic.
