Chemotherapy And Hot Flashes: Keep Your Air Conditioning System In Good Working Order

For most people, chemotherapy treatments can make them feel cold and uncomfortable. But if you experience intense hot flashes from your chemotherapy treatments and other health complications, take steps to get your air conditioning system in good working order this summer. Sometimes, air conditioners can build up with dirt, mold and other contaminants that prevent them from working right. If your AC breaks down during a hot flash, you may experience a setback in your treatment and health. To protect your health and stay cool, here are things to know about your hot flashes and tips you can use to keep your AC in good shape this summer.

Why Do You Have Hot Flashes?

Men and women can have hot flashes during chemotherapy. Women may develop early menopause while undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer, and men can experience changes in their hormones if they receive treatment for prostate cancer. The biggest symptoms of the hormonal changes are hot flashes and night sweats.

Hot flashes can strike at anytime but mostly occur at night. The intense feeling of heat tends to affect your chest, face and neck more than anywhere else. In order to cool down, your body lowers its temperature. Sometimes, lowering your body temperature isn't enough to get the relief you need. You need your air conditioner's help. 

Some sources recommend using an air conditioner to keep the home as cool as you need it to be. But if your AC can't produce enough cool air because it's blocked with grime, it may not reach the temperature you set on the thermostat.

How Do You Keep Your AC Working Good?

One of the things you can do is schedule an appointment with your local residential air conditioning contractor. Have the contractor clean your home's air ducts and vents to increase airflow through the house. Because the home's air must travel through the ducts and vents on a continuous basis, they can build up with debris over time. Keeping the parts clean is essential to your well-being.

Also, ask the contractor to clean your indoor unit's evaporator coil and outdoor unit's condenser coil. The evaporator coil is responsible for cooling the home and the condenser coil removes heat from the home. If the coils become too soiled, they will often break down. A sound cleaning may prevent this issue. 

Finally, have your home inspected regularly for cooling problems. A contractor can discuss the best times to do so and may work around your chemotherapy treatments. It's a good idea that you explain your health needs to the contractor during your appointment.

For more information about keeping your home cool this summer, contact a local HVAC contractor today, such as those at United Heating Cooling and Plumbing Inc.

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