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Is Air Conditioning Bad For Asthma

Ideal Temperature For Asthma Suffers

Bad allergies? What you can do at home to stop air pollutants | KVUE

Doctors tend to agree that breathing super cold, humid, or very hot air is terrible for people that suffer from asthma. The best temperature to keep your air conditioning set to is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. When you are sleeping, the temperatures should be turned down to 65 degrees for optimal ease of breathing.

When the air is too cold, viruses can thrive which can also trigger asthmatic symptoms. Cold air can also restrict the airways making it more difficult to breathe and cause wheezing, coughing tightness, and shortness of breath. When the air is too humid and hot, mold and dust mites can be plentiful which ruins the air quality and make it difficult to breathe. Mold can also trigger illnesses that can make people with asthma very sick and possibly lead to death.

Can Cold Air Cause An Asthma Attack

If your asthma is severe and cold air is a trigger, then you are at risk for an asthma attack in cold weather. Consult your Asthma Action Plan to manage asthma in cold weather. You should always seek medical attention if symptoms worsen.

To keep cold air from causing an asthma flare:

  • Keep your mouth and nose shielded with a scarf to warm the air before you breathe it in.
  • Use a short-acting albuterol inhaler at the first sign of symptoms to keep asthma from worsening.
  • Stay inside as often as you can. Breathing warmer air will help open up your airways. Just make sure youre inside a place with no indoor allergens and irritants.
  • If you experience symptoms frequently in cold weather, talk with your doctor about a long-term treatment plan.
  • Asthma Symptoms Can Be Triggered By Poor Indoor Air

    Asthma is one of the leading causes of chronic illness in children today and is a serious respiratory illness that can be life-threatening, often leading to a visit to the doctor or emergency room. There are many compounds that can trigger an attack, such as outdoor pollutants, pet dander, smoke, and dust particles.

    When someone who suffers from asthma is exposed to these compounds, their airway becomes restricted, and they begin to wheeze, cough, and have difficulty breathing. Mucus buildup in the airway further restricts normal breathing. Due to the severity and seriousness of asthma, keeping your home clean of triggers is essential.

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    Can Air Conditioning Trigger Asthma

    Do you regularly experience asthma attacks? If the answer is yes, you probably know the asthma triggers including pets, pollen, dust mites, and mold. People suffering from asthma have sensitive airways, and then they are exposed to any of the above triggers their airway will swell up, tighten and then stimulate the production of excess mucus. They will then have trouble breathing and start wheezing and develop nasal congestion and itchy eyes. In the summer heat, spending hours in air-conditioned rooms might feel like what you need, but it can trigger an asthma attack.

    The Health Risks Of Air Conditioning

    Asthma No Air Conditioning
  • Air conditioning can harm your health because it can lead to respiratory problems. The cold, dry air from air conditioning units can cause respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia. It can also increase the risk of chest infections.
  • Air conditioning can also increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The cold, dry air from air conditioning units can cause the body to lose heat quickly, leading to a drop in blood pressure and an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. If you have preexisting heart conditions, speaking with your doctor before using an air conditioner is essential, as the risks may outweigh the benefits.
  • Air conditioning can cause skin problems, such as dry skin and eczema. The cold, dry air from air conditioners can cause the skin to lose moisture, leading to dry skin and eczema. In addition, constant exposure to artificial light and low humidity can disrupt the skins natural barrier function, making it more susceptible to irritation and inflammation. If you suffer from skin problems, try to limit your exposure to air conditioning units as much as possible. And be sure to keep your skin hydrated by applying lotion regularly.
  • Also Check: How To Test For Asthma

    Air Conditioning Tips For Asthma Sufferers

    Be sure that you dont run your central AC on the fan only setting, as this means the air recirculates without any dehumidifying or cooling functions. You want the unit to condition the air and remove those asthma-triggering particles. If youre worried about the costs of running your AC all summer long, invest in a smart thermostat.

    Change the air filter monthly, especially if you have pets. While most experts recommend changing the filter once every three months, this simply wont do for most asthma sufferers. Changing the filter once a month ensures your air conditioner is operating at peak efficiency without being bogged down by clogs.

    Dont suffer through your asthma symptoms any longer. Call Air Treatment Inc. at 336-790-3206 to schedule your annual air conditioning maintenance or repair service. Well have you breathing easier in no time.

    Image provided by Shutterstock

    Keep Your Windows And Doors Closed

    Open doors and windows allow more harmful particles to enter your home. Your air conditioner will have to work harder to keep all the particles out of the air, and it may not be as efficient. Even for those who dont have asthma, dirty air filters can cause unwanted symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, sneezing, red eyes, and respiratory tract infections.

    Read Also: Will Benadryl Help Allergic Asthma

    Kill Allergens With The Latest Technology

    Controlling humidity levels and trapping allergens give you a good start. However, what if you could kill bacteria, mold, and other allergy triggers before they have a chance to spread throughout the home? UV lamps, when used in conjunction with your HVAC system, sterilize both the systems coil and the air, killing mold and bacteria. While its a fairly expensive technology to implement, UV lighting is perfect for households that have been dealing with poor indoor air quality.

    Read Also: What To Do When Having An Asthma Attack

    Air Temperature And Moisture

    HydroKleen Air Conditioner Clean Demonstration

    Another reason stepping outside for air might help is the temperature and moisture content of the air. For example, if the air inside your house or in another building is very dry and warm, going outside to cooler air might feel good for your lungs. Being inside a humid gym or a cold grocery store may also trigger your asthma in which case leaving the building and going outside might make you feel better. This truly just depends on what type of air and moisture content is a trigger for you.

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    Why Does The Ac Make Me Cough

    Common Causes of Coughing The major ones are cold and dry air. Since most AC systems simultaneously remove humidity and cool the air, they can be the cause of a persistent, dry cough. This tends to happen when some people are exposed to cold air, and its often called cough-variant asthma.

    Does air conditioning help people with COPD?

    Air Conditioner: Humid air tends to be more difficult to breath for COPD patients, and therefore air conditioning is nice because it cools and dries the air making it easier to inhale. Dehumidifier : Humid air is hard to inhale, and thus dehumidifiers are a step down from air conditioners in humid conditions.

    Ways Air Conditioning Improves Asthma Symptoms

    Fall is just around the corner, but for those living in the Nacogdoches, Texas, area, the heat is still on. When you combine the still-lingering summer heat with humidity and autumn allergens, many asthma sufferers are at risk. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to help prevent asthma issues. One of the largest weapons in your asthma-fighting arsenal is your air conditioner.

    Read Also: What Is The Blood Test For Eosinophilic Asthma

    Asthma And Dust In The Home

    Dust contains many allergen particles. Some suggestions on how to cut down on the amount of dust in your home include:

    • Avoid carpets. If choosing carpet, select short pile or loop carpet, nylon and solution dyed.
    • Vacuum or mop floors regularly .
    • Hot wash all bedding above 60 ° C every two weeks and dry in direct sunlight.
    • Air blankets regularly in direct sunlight.
    • Use a damp cloth to dust furniture instead of dry dusting.
    • Replace curtains with vertical or roller blinds, which are easier to clean.
    • Put doors on any open shelving units.
    • Regularly clean ceiling fans and air conditioning vents.
    • Vacuum and clean furniture frequently.

    The Impact Of Heat On Asthma

    Pin on asthma

    There are a number of reasons why people like you and me, people with asthma, dont love summer heat. Everyones asthma is different, and whether you have an allergic type of asthma vs. non-allergic, can also have an effect.

    Some people are more affected by hot, humid air, while others feel the impact more from hot, dry air. Or, it could just be the extreme changes in environmental conditions that make the biggest effect. 1 For example, moving from a hot, humid day outside into a cool, air-conditioned building. Some people might welcome the relief, while asthmatics might experience an asthma attack as a result of the radical difference in air temperature.

    Its not that heat triggers any different asthma symptoms. Its just that it can make what youre already dealing with even worse. The question is, why does heat affect some of us in this way?

    • Lung Health and Diseases

    Whats the weather going to be today? Its a frequent question that has larger implications for those with lung disease. Whether its summer or winter, rainy or windy, people with lung disease should pay attention to the weather report as sudden changes in the weather as well as extreme weather conditions can provoke lung symptoms.

    To learn more about how to manage symptoms of COPD or asthma, find a Better Breathers Club near you or learn more about how to manage COPD and asthma at Lung.org.

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    Can The Weather Affect My Childs Asthma

    Yes. Weather conditions can bring on asthma symptoms. Some kids asthma symptoms get worse at certain times of the year. For others, a severe storm or sudden weather change can trigger a flare-up.

    Cold, dry air is a common asthma trigger and can cause bad flare-ups. Thats especially true for people who play winter sports and have exercise-induced asthma.

    Hot, humid air also can be a problem. In some places, heat and sunlight combine with pollutants to create ground-level ozone. This kind of ozone can be a strong asthma trigger.

    Wet weather and windy weather can cause problems too. Wet weather encourages mold growth, and wind can blow mold and pollen through the air.

    If you think weather plays a role in your childs asthma, keep a diary of asthma symptoms and possible triggers and discuss them with your doctor. If pollen, mold, or other allergens make asthma symptoms worse, ask about allergy testing.

    Can Cold Weather Trigger Asthma

    For some people with asthma, the cold and dry autumn and winter air can induce asthma symptoms and trigger asthma flare-ups.

    We know children and adults are more likely overall to be hospitalised for their asthma as the temperatures drop, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

    Researchers believe this is due to a range of factors including the cold and the level of moisture in the air. The cold weather is also accompanied by the other potential triggers during winter, such as cold and flu, viruses, dust and fires.

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    Asthma Triggers: Pets Cockroaches And Mold

    Many kids with asthma also have allergies to pets, bugs, and mold, which are common asthma triggers. If your child is allergic, you can reduce your childâs exposure to these triggers by following these tips:

    ⢠Keep pets off of furniture, beds, and carpets, where their fur or dander can build up. And donât let pets sleep in your childâs bedroom.

    ⢠Make sure your child washes their hands and face after playing with pets.

    ⢠Wash sheets and other bedding in hot water at least once a week to limit dust mites. You can also cover pillows and mattresses with special dust-proof covers.

    ⢠Limit your use of pesticide sprays when you can. Keep cockroaches out of your home by keeping food in airtight containers or in the fridge and keeping your trash tightly covered. Seal up any cracks where roaches can get in. Use baits and traps to kill roaches. If you do use spray pesticides, keep your child out of the area for several hours after spraying.

    ⢠Prevent mold by repairing any leaks or areas of excess moisture in your home, and by replacing any moldy carpets or ceiling tiles.

    ⢠Open windows or use exhaust fans when cooking or showering to help prevent mold.

    Recommended Reading: Can Allergies Cause Asthma Attacks

    Is Asthma Triggered By Cold Air

    How to Fix Your Car’s AC for Free – How Air Conditioning Works

    When someone with asthma breathes in cold, dry air, it can make the muscles inside start to spasm while also trying to keep airways open. This further irritates the lining of the airways and causes coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.

    Cold air can trigger asthma symptoms and flare-ups, especially when theres dryness in cold air. For many people with asthma, its the dryness in cold air that can lead to breathing problems. Cold air accompanied by windy conditions can also trigger symptoms. In general, the more severe your asthma is, the more likely cold air is to affect you.

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    Humidifiers And Air Filters

    Wheezing can be triggered and exacerbated by low humidity and airborne particles that cause constriction of the bronchioles. A humidifier adds moisture to the air, particularly during winter months, and can aid with sleep by reducing mouth and nasal dryness .

    Some humidifiers are equipped with HEPA filters that can remove pollen, dust, and other irritants from the air. Alternatively, you can buy a separate multifilter air purifier equipped with both a HEPA filter and an activated charcoal filter.

    Choose an air purifier thats the appropriate size for the room it will be used in and has a fine particle rating of 2.5 , meaning it can remove some of the finest airborne particles.

    Smoke Bad For Other Groups As Well

    Dr Blakey said wood heaters could be damaging to the lungs of those who own them, their neighbours, the pregnant, elderly and children.

    The fires emit small particulates known as PM 2.5s which are small enough to penetrate the lungs and enter the bloodstream.

    In terms of the particulates they emit, having a wood-fired stove in your front room is many times more damaging to your lungs than having a truck in your front room running all the time, he said.

    Many of these microscopic particulates exit through the flue or chimney but they could still be sucked back inside through bad seals, as well as affect neighbours.

    The effect on the ground for the next-door neighbour is far worse than living next to a coal-fired power station.

    And, if people could smell smoke in their homes, then he said these particulates were going into their lungs.

    Dr Blakey said wood smoke was linked to lung and esophageal cancer as well as other health effects, depending on the duration of exposure.

    Youre more likely to have angina and heart attacks. People are more likely to have mini-strokes and strokes, and people are more likely to have poorer control over other conditions such as diabetes, he said.

    There is no safe lower level for a lot of these exposures.

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    Checking The Air Quality

    The air quality index indicates the daily level of pollutants, such as smog. Air quality levels vary daily and between locations. The more pollutants in the air, the harder it can be for a person with asthma to breathe.

    The AQI measures air quality on a scale from 0500. The higher the number, the worse the air quality. Air quality tends to be worse on hot and humid days. Staying inside when the air quality is poor might prevent asthma symptoms developing.

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    Are Bananas Bad For Copd

    Currently 701 million children have asthma. @secondopiniontv

    Some COPD patients will benefit from extra potassium which can be found in bananas, oranges, tomatoes, potatoes and asparagus. Healthy snacks like nuts.

    What are the worst foods for COPD?

    Foods That Can Irritate COPD

    • Fried foods. Any food when fried becomes extra greasy and will lead to extra effort during digestion.
    • Aerated drinks.
    • Further Reading.

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    Your Hvac System And Asthma

    We often take the air we breathe for granted. If youre asthmatic, though, you know every breath is precious.

    According to recent studies by the American Lung Association, there are around 17 million asthma sufferers in the United States. Additionally, asthma represents the most serious chronic health concern among children and kills more than 5,000 Americans every year.

    This is daunting news. However, there are some things we as a society can do to improve the lives of asthma sufferers, such as cutting down on air pollution and increasing the number of studies into asthma prevention and treatment.

    Here at Smart Touch Energy, we know HVAC, and we want to do what we can to help people who are already asthma sufferers or who are concerned that young children might develop the disease. Thats why were turning our attention to the connections between HVAC and asthma. We want you as a homeowner and potential allergy and asthma sufferer to have the necessary tools to ease asthma with your HVAC system.

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