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Why Do You Wake Up Feeling Sick When You Sleep With a Fan On?

If you have congestion or other sinus problems when you wake up, your fan might play a role.

Marisa Taylor KarasAlexandra Schwarz, MD
Written by Marisa Taylor Karas | Reviewed by Alexandra Schwarz, MD
Updated on February 8, 2024
Reviewed by Alexandra Schwarz, MD | February 8, 2024

Sleeping with a fan on is mostly harmless for most people. However, if you often wake up with congestion, cough, headache, or other sinus problems, your fan might be to blame. In this video, learn the different ways that sleeping with a fan on could affect your health.

References

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. (n.d.). Air filters. 

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. (2020). Cleaning tips for allergy and asthma sufferers. 

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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Marisa Taylor Karas
Written by:
Marisa Taylor Karas
Marisa Taylor Karas is a freelance journalist based in Brooklyn who has covered health, gender, and technology for 15 years. She previously worked at The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, and Al Jazeera America, among other publications, and also served as managing editor of the Mellon Foundation in New York City.
Alexandra Schwarz, MD
Reviewed by:
Alexandra Schwarz, MD
Alexandra Schwarz, MD, is a board-eligible sleep medicine physician and a board-certified family medicine physician. She is a member of both the AASM and the ABFM.
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