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ISSN: 2394-4137 (E) 2394-6318 (P)

IJIMS.2017.111

Type of Article: Original Research

Volume 4; Issue 6: 2017

Page No.: 501-506

DOI: 10.16965/ijims.2017.111

 

THE EFFECT OF AIR CONDITIONERS (AC) ON PULMONARY FUNCTIONS IN YOUNG ADULTS

Maturi Lavanya *1, Rajanand Gaikwad 2.

*1 Associate prof. department of physiology Santhiram medical college, Nandyal; Kurnool, Andhrapradesh, India.

2 Professor and Head of the department of physiology Santhiram medical college, Nandyal; Kurnool, Andhrapradesh, India.

Corresponding Author: Dr. Maturi Lavanya, Associate Professor, Department of physiology Santhiram medical college, Nandyal, Kurnool, Andhrapradesh, India. Phone: +919573726030 E-Mail: janvita.lr@gmail.com

Abstract:

Modern styles of living in urban areas have been considered to be potentially responsible for the development of airway problems and for the reduction in the pulmonary functional capacities. One of the components of the modern life style is the intensive use of air conditioners, which has caused the increased inhalation of cold dry air ultimately leading to an alteration in the pulmonary functions. The inhalation of cold dry air for long periods makes the airway smooth muscle more sensitive. Abrupt changes in the air temperature may induce rhinitis even in the absence of the usual triggering allergy. The existence of bronchospasm in response to nasal inhalation of cold and/or dry air may be considered as a protective mechanism that tends to reduce the airflow rate in the upper airways and cervical trachea and limits the penetration of insufficiently conditioned inspired air into the lungs. Cold dry air challenge test is the test by which bronchial responsiveness is measured by applying physical stimuli like hyperventilation of cold and dry air. It has been observed that hyperventilation of cold dry air causes bronchoconstriction, and eupnoeic inhalation of cold, dry air increases airway resistance in asthmatic patients in AC environment, the current study was carried out on young adults using air condition and non-air condition, 66 subjects between the age group of 25-50 years chosen for the study, the subjects was then divided into two groups viz, group A & group B. The subjects of both the groups then examined for their FVC, FEV1 and PEFR values FVC and FEV1 ratio was also documented for each subjects. The best of the three readings was recorded and finally the data was analyzed using standard deviation and‘t’ test. There was a difference in the data after the analysis of standard deviation and ‘t’ test hence it was found that FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC is higher in Non-air conditioner users compare to air conditioner users. But there is no significant difference between the PEFR level between Air conditioner and non-air conditioner users. Hence it can be concluded that non air conditioner users have higher pulmonary function when compared to air conditioner users.

KEYWORDS: ac users, PFT, PEFR, FEF25–75% and FEV1.

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