How Does The Air Become Dry
Youve probably noticed during cold months the frigid air dries out your skin and nasal cavities, this is because the humidity in wintertime is low. As you crank up the heat in your home, it increases the temperature but not the humidity, causing the air to become painfully dry in some cases, even causing skin around knuckles and joints to crack.
Additionally, if your home isnt properly insulated, it can wind up pulling outdoor air in, causing it to become even more dry and uncomfortable and losing more humidity in the process.
Humidifier Or Dehumidifier For Asthma
Dehumidifiers are essentially the opposite of humidifiers. Humidifiers aim to increase the moisture level in the air, while dehumidifiers aim to decrease the moisture in the air. There is no correct answer to this question as it depends entirely on the moisture level in your home. If the air in your home is currently too dry, a humidifier is going to be better than a dehumidifier. If the air in your home has too much moisture, a dehumidifier is going to be better than a humidifier.
The key thing to remember, no matter what device is best for you, is to maintain ideal humidity levels in your home. You should always aim for a humidity level of 40-45 percent. You can have a little bit more moisture if there are no asthma sufferers, like around 50 percent, but the air becomes too heavy to breathe at any percentage over 45 if you suffer with asthma. As such, it really doesnt matter what device you choose to buy or technique you use as long as you keep within this safe and comfortable region.
How Do Humidifiers And Dehumidifiers Improve My Health
Humidifiers. If you have dry skin, dry eyes, and other irritations from dry air, a humidifier can ease your symptoms. Even if you donât have symptoms, you may find dry air to be unpleasant. A humidifier may give you a sense of comfort.
Dehumidifiers. Too much moisture in the air can be just as bad as not enough. Water in the air carries bacteria and other tiny organisms that you breathe in. Taking moisture out of the air may help you get some relief from asthma and allergy symptoms caused by the humidity. Keep in mind that allergies can develop over time, so if you notice your symptoms getting worse, talk to your doctor.
Dust mites and mold thrive in humid places, too. If you have asthma or allergies, these microscopic organisms can irritate your sinuses. When you take away the extra moisture, it keeps the growth of mold and dust mites in check.
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B Reduction Of Infection
If the humidity of the air is too low, humidifying the air can protect us against respiratory infections. One of our defence mechanisms, mucociliary clearance of our airways, relies on mucus in our airways trapping particles, bacteria and viruses and being continuously moved up and out of our lungs. If the air is too dry, the mucus becomes stickier and more difficult to move. So at very low humidities when this mechanism is impaired viral respiratory infections such as influenza can be more severe.
In one study mice at low relative humidity , developed much more severe influenza. This found that other defence mechanisms in the lungs were also impaired-
- Mucociliary clearance, so the virus was not cleared from the airways as well
- Innate antiviral defence
- Tissue repair function
Humidifiers With Air Washers
Air washers purify the air of a room and remove all allergens, smoke and other pathogens from the air making it more healthy and comfortable. Nowadays some humidifiers have air washers for cleaning the air of the room. You donât have to buy a separate device for this purpose. So if you are buying a humidifier for asthma and allergies, it is better to buy one with the air purifier so that it also makes the air of room more clean and healthy.
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Five Humidifier Uses And Their Benefits
Some people experience respiratory symptoms in the summer months, when the weather is hot, and the air contains more allergens. Air conditioners and fans can circulate dry air through the room, and air conditioners remove any moisture from the air. A humidifier may be beneficial during this season.
However, people are more likely to benefit from a humidifier in the cold months, when cold air dries out the lungs, nose, and lips. Also, some types of central heating can dry out the air indoors.
Benefits of a humidifier may include:
How Is A Dehumidifier Good For Asthma
As Dr. Jessica Shepherd, Chief Medical Officer of Verywell Health, told Live Science, dehumidifiers are not recommended as the only tool to manage asthma, but in certain cases, they can be useful. “Dehumidifiers should not be used to manage asthma, however, yes, they can ease asthma symptoms,” she says.
As Shepherd explains, dehumidifiers are only useful if high humidity is a factor that is aggravating your asthma.
So far, the scientific evidence on the benefits of dehumidifiers for asthma shows that Shepherd’s assessment is pretty spot on: while they can help, they are certainly not all that useful during periods of “normal” humidity levels.
A 2013 double-blind study from the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews on the effects of mechanical dehumidifiers on asthmatic patients showed that dehumidifiers made no noticeable impact on asthma control.
However, as the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America notes, high temperatures and thicker air can negatively affect your breathing, which can, in turn, lead to lung irritation and breathing problems. As Shepherd adds, “Heat and humidity create changes in the air which will increase the demand for oxygen. It is also important to monitor the humidity level, especially in the home, with a hygrometer as humidity levels that are over 45% encourage mold, bacteria, and dust mites growth – all of which are common asthma triggers.”
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What Can I Do To Make My Asthma Better
If you dont have one, ask your doctor.Go smoke-free. Smoking stops your asthma puffers working. Enjoy healthy eating. Healthy eating might help your asthma. Enjoy a physically active lifestyle. Lighten the load on your lungs. Avoid the flu. Take care of your mental health. Plan a healthy pregnancy with asthma.
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How To Humidify The Right Model For You
There are many different models of humidifiers available on the market today, so researching the different vapor delivery methods, their benefits, and their potential issues is important to securing the humidifier that best suits your needs. Here is a closer look at some of the most common types of humidifiers for asthma.
The effectiveness of each model does not only depend on the desired temperature of the humidity. The size of the room or rooms to be humidified will also affect the style you need. Cool mist humidifiers tend to affect a wider area than steam humidifiers, but those suffering from asthma should consult the packaging of each individual model to achieve the desired effect.
One consideration to make is the installation of a humidifier onto your central furnace. By using a single humidifier to directly add moisture to the dry air exiting the furnaces exhaust, you could avoid the purchase and maintenance of multiple units within the home or apartment.
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Choose The Right Humidifier
Not every humidifier out there is best for asthma. Thus, you have to choose yours with care. Thankfully, . There, you will find more variety, and better prices.
Besides, you will also find a lot of information about the humidifier and you will know just why it is recommended for asthma.
Contrary to what many people believe, the choice of your humidifier does not really come down to cool mist vs warm mist humidifiers. There is more to it than that.
Here are the best humidifiers for asthma:
Warm mist humidifier
This one is very common. It boils water and then the filter releases fine steam into the room. It can help keep a room warm as well as increase humidity in the air. However, it is only suitable for small rooms.
The good thing about a warm mist humidifier is that as the water boils, it also kills bacteria and allergens. Thus, the steam released is pure and unadulterated.
However, there is a downside to it. First, it is a hazard for a childrens room. The boiling water can do a lot of harm. Thus, it is best placed in a position where children cannot reach it.
Another thing you have to know is that a warm mist humidifier should mostly be used with water that has low mineral content.
The boiling leaves a lot of mineral deposits on the side of the tank. Thus, a warm mist humidifier requires more frequent cleaning.
Ultrasonic evaporator humidifiers
Cool mist humidifiers
Pros And Cons Of Using A Humidifier For Asthma
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment plan for people with asthma. Everyone has their own unique course with the disease. Using a humidifier may work for one person and not another. There are a few pros and cons to using a humidifier to treat asthma symptoms.
One benefit is the added moisture to the air may decrease airway irritation, which might ease certain symptoms. For example, humidification may reduce a dry cough, which is a common asthma symptom, especially at night.
But the main disadvantage of using a humidifier is the potential to increase the presence of allergens. Increased moisture might make it the perfect environment for certain allergens, such as mold, to thrive. Higher levels of allergens may mean more asthma symptoms for people who have allergic asthma. In addition, if the air is too moist, it can feel heavy, which can make it seem harder to breathe.
For people who have asthma, pneumonia can be dangerous. Here’s how asthma and pneumonia are related and how someone with asthma can avoid pneumonia.
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Keep Your Mattress Up Off Of The Floor
While you technically can use some mattresses directly on the floor, we dont suggest that for people with allergies Placing your mattress on the floor means youre closer to dirt, dust, and other germs that can more easily make their way into your sleep space. Using a mattress foundation or bed frame limits your exposure to these irritants.
Is A Dehumidifier Right For Your Asthma
Depending on where you live, a dehumidifier may be needed year-round, or just during a certain season. Removing some of the moisture from the air may improve your asthma symptoms, prevent mold growth, and discourage the increase of dust mites.
Curious about other ways to manage the air within your home? Read about air purifiers and humidifiers.
Editor’s note: A dehumidifier can remove mold spores from the air and prevent new mold from growing, but it will not remove existing mold.4,5 If you are regularly exposed to existing mold, talk to your doctor about how this may be affecting you.
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Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier
The Vicks Warm mist humidifier has several features that help eliminate bacteria and allergens in the air. When used carefully, it releases 95% clean mist into the air to help cure coughs, cold and dryness. It has a cup that can hold liquid inhalants. Steam inhalants such as Vicks Vapo steam can help hasten the action of released steam to decongest blocked throats and relieve coughs.
Also, the humidifier comes with a patented Protec Cleaning ball that can help rid bacteria in your water tank. Simply drop a ball in your tank and enjoy fresh mist for longer hours.
The humidifier is also filter-free, and so eliminates the need for quarterly filter replacement. It is whisper-quiet so it doesnt disturb your baby at night in the nursery.
The humidifier tank has a capacity of 1 gallon and can run continuously for at least 12 hours before refill. It is translucent so you can easily see the water level.
Lastly, the display at the front of the humidifier is quite large so you can easily view temperature and humidity levels.
Use Both A Humidifier And An Air Purifier
Dry air can worsen asthma symptoms by irritating the throat and nasal passages, and allergens in the air can cause sneezing and morning congestion. Without humidifiers and air purifiers, youre more likely to wake up with a sore throat or post-nasal drip, since the body overproduces mucus to protect passageways from debris. Investing in a humidifier and air purifier means more moisture in the air and less chance of irritation to the nose and throat.
Talk with a healthcare provider first before buying either of these devices. A humidifier can sometimes increase dust mites in the bedroom because it provides an ideal living environment. Air purifiers do balance those out, but some people, depending on the severity of their asthma, may want to avoid humidifiers entirely.
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How Humidity Affects Asthma
Humidity affects asthma in a number of ways. Air that is too humid is heavier, due to the increase of water particles. For people with asthma, this makes the air seem more difficult to inhale. Their lung pathways are often not big enough for sufficient air to be taken in as it is, so breathing in air that is too humid can be a real struggle.
Humidity and heat are often connected. In the summer months, humidity is usually higher, and there are usually more allergens in the air. As a result, the increased humidity by higher temperatures can also cause problems related to breathing for asthma sufferers.
Moreover, too much humidity can actually reduce the quality of the air you breathe. Someone with asthma has to ensure their air quality is good to ensure they can inhale as much good air as possible. Therefore, air that is too bogged down by water molecules can worsen the symptoms of asthma.
Regularly Cleaning The Tank
Humidifiers need to be cleaned on a regular basis. They use water in tanks to add water vapors into the air. Leaving dirty humidifier in the room is like exposing yourself to the dirty pond of water. The dirty tank can be a storehouse of bacteria and virus that can be emitted into the air you are inhaling. So regularly cleaning the inside of the tank with some disinfectant like vinegar is important for preventing any harmful side effects of a dirty humidifier.
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Can A Humidifier Help With Asthma
April 17, 2020 By
Asthma and allergy is a pretty common illness affecting millions of Americans and the world at large. According to records, about 30,000 people experience an asthma attack daily. Among this, about 5000 people do require emergency care.
Asthma is a deadly illness that affects the path of air to the lungs. Asthma causes inflammation in the airways. It makes it sore and swollen. As a result, the airways become sensitive to irritations. The reaction of the airways causes them to shrink.
This makes the air passage becomes narrow, making them unable to suck in enough air to the lungs. This makes the victim cough, wheeze, and experience difficulty breathing in addition to the tightness of the chest. These symptoms are common in the morning and night.
Some circumstances trigger an asthma attack in people. Usually, the victim interprets the triggers as a real attack. The body, in reaction, triggers an asthma attack. At times when the attack is huge, the airway can close so much that essential body organs like the heart will not get enough oxygen. An asthma attack is so severe that about 4000 people die yearly.
Interestingly, a humidifier can help with relieving the symptoms of an attack. This is because controlling the level of humidity indoors can help manage asthma. When you breathe in cool and dry air, it can trigger an adverse reaction in the lung nerves, causing inflammation.
Copd And Air Conditioning: Things You Need To Know
Spending time indoors on a hot summer day can be challenging for COPD sufferers.
Extremely hot weather not only makes your body dehydrated but also can cause bronchospasm, constricting your airways and making it harder for you to breathe.
Proper air conditioning in a room for COPD patients is therefore essential to keep the problems at bay.
The air conditioner is also important for respiratory issues due to the fact that it filters out most of the air pollutants making the overall indoor air quality better.
However, just like humidifying devices, the air conditioner in your room should also be serviced on a regular basis.
If not it can cause your problems severe rather than solving them.
Meen Smith is a nurse by profession who loves writing online, spending time with her family and caring for the elderly. She has already worked as an associate editor on various moms, babies, home appliances, kitchen, and healthy living blogs. In her spare time, she also enjoys drawing, reading/writing kindle eBooks and improving her skills a bit.
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Tips To Sleep Better With Asthma
Millions of people are affected byor nighttime asthma. Symptoms include a tight chest, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, and they make sleep impossible. You end up feeling tired and
Millions of people are affected bynocturnal asthma,Verified SourceNational Library of Medicine Worlds largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible.View sourceor nighttime asthma. Symptoms include a tight chest, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, and they make sleep impossible. You end up feeling tired and irritable the next day and have difficulty controlling daytime asthma symptoms.
Asthma symptoms are stronger at night for a few reasons, including higher exposure to dust mites and other allergens. Plus, lying flat on your back increases post-nasal drip, triggering an asthma attack. These two things can make sleeping tough. But dont worrywere here to help. In our article, we share 7 tips to sleep better with asthma so you can get undisturbed shuteye.