Humidifier Or Dehumidifier For Bronchitis
If you were to ask which one among these two is recommended for bronchitis the answer is both of them. Each has their own set of advantages that makes them a good option. When a humidifier adds moisture to the air continually, it will help those people who can make use of some soothing in their bronchial tubes. It will aid to calm down allergy or bronchitis symptoms until the virus leaves the body. It will also help in releasing the buildup of discolored mucous and relive congestion.A dehumidifier on the other hand keeps allergens away which can trigger or aggravate bronchitis and its symptoms. For this reason, both dehumidifier and humidifier can be of great service to prevent and treat bronchitis.
Exercising Proper Usage Of A Humidifier
A room humidifier can be a great resource for you and your cat if used properly. However, increasing the moisture levels in your home beyond optimal conditions can have dangerous consequences such as mold and bacterial growth. This could introduce health hazards and may very well worsen your cats symptoms. Be sure to wipe down any surfaces where condensation accumulates and adjust the levels to maintain the best conditions for all members of your family.
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.
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Precautions When Using A Humidifier For Asthma
If you do try using a humidifier, it is helpful to choose the right type of device for your needs. There are warm-mist and cool-mist humidifiers. Warm-mist humidifiers are also called vaporizers. They have an internal mechanism that heats the water to a boil and releases a vapor or stream into the air. A cool-mist humidifier does not heat the water. It releases water vapor into the air, but it is not warm.
Keep in mind that heat and humidity can make asthma worse in some cases. For example, a small study published in The Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that hot, humid air may increase asthma symptoms in some people.
The study involved 12 people and half had asthma and half did not. When exposed to hot, humid air, the asthma group had a significant increase in airway resistance compared to the non-asthmatic group. Increased airway resistance makes it more difficult to breathe. So, it may be best to try a cool-mist humidifier first and see if that helps ease symptoms.
What Type Of Humidifier Do You Need
Regardless of what kind ofhumidifier you choose, she says, everyone should have some type of humidifierin their home, Dr. Nicolacakis says.
Theres no magic to ahumidifier, she points out. But, if you use one, you will feel better.Heres a quick breakdown of the types available:
- Central humidifier: This humidifier is built directly into your homes heating and air conditioning system and can control the humidity level throughout your entire house. Its the most expensive option, Dr. Nicolacakis says, but its the most effective choice.
- Evaporators: This type of humidifier blows moisture through a moistened filter. Fans push the humidity out into the room.
- Impeller humidifier: This option creates a cool mist that is pushed out into the room by disks that rotate at high speed.
- Steam vaporizer: This electric-powered option heats water and cools it off before pushing water vapor out into the room. Vaporizers can be moved from room to room.
- Ultrasonic humidifier: Like an impeller humidifier, this humidifier spreads a cool mist through the room via ultrasonic vibration.
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How To Use Humidifier For Asthma
The primary purpose of this article is to answer the question: Can a humidifier help with asthma? And as evident from the preceding sections, we have established without a doubt that the answer is yes. The yes, however, is conditional. It is conditional in that you need a properly maintained humidifier before you can get relief from asthma.
Even though we establish that a humidifier will give relief for people with asthma, a humidifier that is not cared for will do more harm than good. It will expose you to breathing problems because of the introduction of mold, viruses, and other microorganisms into your space.
As a result, you need to care for your humidifier so that it will take care of you. Here are some maintenance precautions:
Use distilled Water
The main thing that compromises the integrity of the water in your humidifier is the kind of water you have inside. Some type of water provides a perfect breeding ground for mold and bacteria, which make asthma condition worsen. As a result, use only distilled water, water without minerals that have been purified.
Keep your unit Clean
If your humidifier is to help relieve asthma symptoms, there should not be stagnant water. As a result, make sure you empty the unit daily and rinse thoroughly. Also, when cleaning the humidifier, do not use any harsh chemicals. This could make asthma worse.
Avoid Overusing the Humidifier
Room Humidifiers Help With Asthma Symptoms
For those with asthma, breathing can be difficult during a flare-up due to constriction of the breathing muscles and the inflamed airways filled with thickened phlegm, causing a person to feel as if they cant catch their breath. Room humidifiers can help keep these symptoms of asthma in check and may decrease how many flare-ups you have. Room humidifiers will ease the discomfort of a dry nose, throat or mouth thanks to the added moisture it adds back into dry air. Those with chronic breathing conditions will be more comfortable thanks to room humidifiers!
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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.
Everlasting Comfort Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
First on our list is the Everlasting Comfort Ultrasonic cool mist humidifier. This humidifier is one of the largest in our review and ideal if you want to cover a large area. It is manufactured with care and packed with many features that alleviate allergies and gives you a good night rest.
Its ultrasonic technology means it produces low frequency and is super quiet. You dont have to suffer from annoying humming sounds while you sleep.
The mist output is 270ml per hour from a tank that is 6L large and can effectively cover up to 500 sq. ft area. This means you can have a full night uninterrupted sleep with the humidifier working. It has a total of 50 hours of mist output and will automatically shut off when the water level is low.
It also releases oil into the air via its essential oil tray, giving your room a nice fragrance and also providing healing properties.
Everlasting Comfort cool mist humidifier is filterless, which makes it economical as you do not need to buy new filters periodically.
It also comes with a blue LED light and has natural ionizer and vaporizer that destroys bacteria, microbes and allergens. Its 360-degree rotatable nozzle and adjustable steam output helps keep the level of humidity greater than 43% at all times so bacteria cannot thrive.
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What Is The Best Product To Buy
Buying a humidifier for asthma and allergies can be an arduous task because there are different products in the market, and there are also different factors to look out for. We have selected Honeywell Warm Moisture Humidifier as our best product because it has all the necessary features to look out for in every humidifier. It is also ideal for people with asthma and allergies.
So Which Humidifier Should You Use
Before you purchase a humidifier for your home, it is better to be clear on their types and difference. There are two types of humidifiers warm mist and cool mist. Each type is equally effective in carrying out its function the difference lies in the temperature of the mist. Cool mist humidifiers are advised when one wants to treat breathing difficulties or asthma in children. It is also considered to be a safer option for children, in the event of spills.
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Is A Cool Or Warm Mist Humidifier Best For Asthma
Both a cool and warm mist humidifier achieve the same function by putting moisture into the air and increasing the humidity level. Which is best for asthma really depends on your personal preference. Do you like being in a steam room? Do you feel your breathing improves after being in a steamy shower? In this case, then a warm mist humidifier might be your best option. If you dont like being in a sauna or hot feel that you struggle to breathe in a hot, steamy room, then a cool-mist humidifier might make you feel more comfortable.
Warm mist humidifiers heat the water in the machine to create steam, but then cool it to cool it slightly for safety to expel a warm mist. On the other hand, some cool mist humidifiers have a fan system that dispenses a cold mist into the air. In contrast, others vibrate the water with ultrasonic frequencies to produce smaller molecules. The latter type is generally much more expensive.
How To Get Strict Humidity Control Without Annoying Maintenance
While portable humidifiers can help with asthma, cleaning them, changing the filters, preparing them for storage and using the right kind of water makes them a pain to maintain.
The low maintenance solution would be to install a whole-home humidifier. A whole-home humidifier is installed alongside your heating and cooling system in your ducts, allowing you to provide moisture to your entire home.
Not only is a whole-home humidifier low maintenance , but controlling the humidity is super precise. You can either control the humidity from a humidistat or a compatible thermostat.
That precise control will ensure that you have just the right humidity level in your home, helping those with asthma stay comfortable around the entire home. Of course, the cost of a whole-home humidifier is much more than a single portable humidifier. But considering that it can affect your entire home, its a more cost-effective solution than placing several portable humidifiers around your home.
Want to learn more about whole-home humidifiers? Ask one of our experts for help. We will help you pick the right type of humidifier for your home.
Air Professionals is a whole-home comfort company serving New Jersey homeowners. Contact us for more information on how we can help improve your homes comfort.
We’re ready to help you!Contact us today!
We’re ready to help you!Contact us today!
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Allergy And Asthma Certification Program
The Allergy and Asthma Certification Program certifies products that meet the high standards of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. This organization is a non-profit committed to finding a cure for asthma and controlling its symptoms for those afflicted. When looking for a humidifier, keep an eye out for this certification, and it will let you know when a device is a quality product.
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Geniani Top Fill Cool Mist Humidifier
We love it when a machine can do double duty so getting a humidifier that can also work as an essential oil diffuser is already one up on our list.
The GENIANI Top Fill Cool Mist Humidifier has a built-in essential oil tray to add your favorite soothing or invigorating scents and will make your home smell amazing.
Working as a humidifier, this machine has a large 1-gallon water tank, so it can be run continuously for up to 18 hours before needing a refill. There are four mister settings so you can alter the output to your preference, and when the water reservoir runs dry, the unit will automatically turn off. Unlike many humidifiers, this is easy to fill and to keep clean, which is a significant bonus.
It also doesnt look especially like a humidifier, so it can blend in with your décor better than most. That being said, the mist doesnt shoot up in the air very far, so it can make the area around the humidifier wet, especially on a higher setting.
| Pros | |
|---|---|
| Very easy tank to clean | Can’t control mist direction |
| Auto shut-off |
Our Verdict
Regardless of whether you intend to use the essential oil tray, this is a great humidifier.
The large tank is incredibly easy to fill without sloshing water everywhere, like many other humidifiers. The tank is straightforward to keep clean, which adds to the longevity of using this machine, which is especially vital to asthma and allergy sufferers.
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Humidifier Or Vaporizer For Asthma
Vaporizers are actually just a type of humidifier. The main difference between other types of humidifiers and vaporizers is the way they release moisture into the air. Humidifiers typically create mist using cold water, while vaporizers heat the water in order to create steam. It is worth noting that warm mist humidifiers and vaporizers arent technically the same, either. Warm mist humidifiers warm the water before release, but vaporizers actually use boiling water.
In this sense, then, we could argue that out of all the different types of humidifier, vaporizers might be best for asthma suffers. Boiled water will have much less contaminants than warm or cool water. Even better, the steam itself will open up and relax the airways more effectively.
Moreover, vaporizers are more likely to include functions and features that allow you to add other ingredients into the water. This might be essential oils or some kind of soothing vapor. Therefore, if you find a concoction that will improve your breathing, the vaporizer will soothe your asthma symptoms even more.
Humidifier Or Dehumidifier For A Stuffy Nose
A stuffy nose can be a symptom that accompanies a common allergy and might take a couple of days to settle. One way of handling stuffy nose is to use a humidifier. Adding water vapour to the air will help to relieve blockage in the nose or any congestion. Hence the answer is âYes, a humidifier will help with the stuffy noseâ. However, this isnât the case with dehumidifiers. Although high humidity makes it difficult to breathe, but too much removal of moisture and dry air could worsen a stuffy nose.
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How Do Humidifiers Help With Asthma
Firstly, humidifiers are not an asthma cure. Theyre designed to alleviate asthma symptoms. When someone has an asthma attack, their breathing muscles constrict, and airways become quickly inflamed.
Theres also more thickened phlegm in the lungs than usual. If you imagine all these things combined, then youll understand why someone with asthma feels they cannot breathe when this is happening.
A humidifier can help reduce the number of asthma attacks in your home because it adds cold or warm moisture to the air. It means it eases symptoms such as a dry nose, throat, and mouth.
It becomes easier to breathe more comfortably. If a humidifier is used correctly, it will give you moist air at the right temperature, making it easier to breathe.
Using a humidifier is a more natural way of keeping the airways free. If youre unsure of how to use a humidifier, we have a detailed and downloadable guide right here.
Ideally, a humidifier should provide your home with indoor humidity levels of around 30-50%. If you have too much humidity, you may find that allergens and mold escalate, and theres an increased chance of an asthma attack or an allergic reaction.
Really humid air makes it way harder to breathe. If youve ever traveled to a country or continent with high humidity levels, youll know what we mean.
Aromatherapy And Liquid Inhalants
Depending on your particular triggers, you may benefit from aromatherapy. Some humidifiers contain a designated tray for essential oil use while others have an oil-compatible reservoir. Either way, you should pick essential oils that help relieve asthma symptoms.
Lavender oil can reduce swelling, decreasing bronchospasms. Eucalyptus oil and tea tree oil not only reduce inflammation but also loosen mucus buildup. Clove oil, chamomile oil and thyme oil are also excellent choices for asthma sufferers.
If you need to ease a nagging cough, there are warm-mist humidifiers that release liquid inhalant vapors into the air.
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