How Can I Permanently Cure Asthma Naturally
Here are 13 complementary therapies you can try for your asthma.
Diogenes Nesmachko
Dr Hilary Jones On Investigating The Causes Of Breathlessness
The patients’ lung capacity was also measured.
Researchers compared the results against measurements of outdoor temperatures and two indoor air pollutants – PM2.5, fine particulate matter, and NO2, nitrogen dioxide.
Overall they found the participants spent the overwhelming majority of their time indoors but on the days they did go out the average duration was about two hours.
Experts found the found BCSS scores worsened with rising indoor temperatures and the use of rescue inhalers also increased.
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The effect of higher indoor temperatures – which were experienced immediately and continued for up to two days – was also magnified by high levels of PM2.5 and NO2.
However experts said lung function itself was unaffected by increasing temperatures or higher levels of indoor air pollutants.
Dr McCormack, of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, healthcare professionals could protect those most vulnerable to heat.
“Given participants spent an overwhelming majority of their time indoors, which we believe is representative of patients with COPD generally, optimising indoor climate and reducingindoor pollution represents a potential avenue for improving health outcomes,” she said.
The study was published in the journal the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
How Air Conditioners Cause Asthma
Many physicians have come out to warn people against spending long hours in air-conditioned rooms to avoid triggering asthma attacks. As your air conditioner operates, it blows the small particles in the air which you later inhale unknowingly. Continuous running of the HVAC system triggers the growth of mold on surfaces of the home and subsequently leading to allergies, pneumonia and other respiratory infections.
It is worth noting that regular HVAC maintenance is significant. A clean and sufficiently running AC ensure that air being blown is cold and fresh. Humidity control, proper filtration and adequate ventilation all contribute to healthy indoor air quality.
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Air Purifiers Pick Up Where Hvac Systems Leaves Off
While centralized HVAC systems work best with medium to high-efficiency air filters, adding an air purifier with a HEPA filter is the smartest option for trapping those allergens your HVAC cant handle alone. Whole-home air purifiers are great for anyone suffering from severe asthma or allergies because they improve the entire homes air quality, helping everyone in the family to breathe easier.
How Do I Maintain An A/c Unit
Air conditioners are not effective if the filter is not replaced or maintained as recommended by the manufacturer. Heating and cooling specialists say they often find that filters are filthy. When this happens, they can become breeding grounds for air contaminants, such as mold spores. When this happens they can actually increase airborne contaminants. So, its essential that asthmatics properly maintain filters.2
The authors highly recommend whole house filtration systems. This is best accomplished with central heating and cooling systems as opposed to the kind you put in windows.2
When the filter is properly maintained or replaced, these units are very effective at minimizing airborne asthma triggers. So, they are effective at minimizing the risk for asthma symptoms.2 A/Cs also make it so you can keep doors and windows shut. This can also help to keep outdoor air pollutants outside.3
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Simple Steps To Minimize The Impact Of Home Heating On Your Cat
- Change or clean your furnace filter see this easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide from Consumer Reports or this brief YouTube video.
- Frequently vacuum and clean carpets
- Add a room humidifier or a pan of water to the top of the radiator or wood/pellet stove . Just be sure to keep any humidifiers clean and disinfected.
- Add a room or home air purifier more on air purifiers in this Wikipedia article
- Have your HVAC duct work cleaned this one is definitely more involved, and more expensive, as youll need to get a professional service provider in. But it might help, depending on how old your HVAC unit is and if/when the duct work was last cleaned.
Duct Cleaning Services For Clean Air Indoors
Because of the constant heat and moisture funneling through your ducts, your ductwork can become an ideal breeding ground for mold and mildew growth. This growth will compound over the years and will only get worse until you address it. Dust and debris can build up in your ducts, as well.
As you can see, over time, your ducts can fill up with quite a mess, and that mess will flow into your air if you dont schedule to have it cleaned. We recommend getting your ducts cleaned every five years or so to ensure your system is clean and your air pure. Clean ducts will reduce allergens and irritants, help with your HVAC systems energy efficiency, and keep dust and debris from gumming up your systems components.
If youre in need of an AC company to give you an estimate on central air installation, call AirMAX Heating & Air. Wed love to help serve you in Charleston, and neighboring communities within South Carolina.
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High Merv Filters For Cleaner Air
Keeping your air clean is vital. Cleaner air means fewer irritants and pollutants entering your mouth, throat, and lungs. That means easier breathing. One of the easiest and least expensive ways of filtering your air is to install a high MERV rating filter in your HVAC unit. These are replaceable filters that can effectively block specific airborne contaminants from circulating through your HVAC system.
A filter with a MERV rating of 13-16 is suitable for hospital environments. With one of these kinds of air filters, you can filter out pollen, dust, dust mites, mold, bacteria, pet dander, cooking oil smoke, smoke, smog, and virus carriers.
Keep in mind that you need to replace these filters every few months or as recommended by the manufacturer. Leaving your filter in for too long can render it ineffective and restrict the airflow in your system, forcing it to work harder than it should.
What Are Your Options If You’re Switching From Gas
Cooking
CHOICE home economist Fiona Mair says that while many home chefs love cooking with gas, induction cooktops actually heat up pans faster and give you better temperature control.
“An induction cooktop may take some getting used to, but once you do, you’ll find they’re great to cook with,” she says.
“They’re also much easier to clean and generally safer, with safety features like automatic shut off if a pan is dry boiling or if cookware is removed from the cooking surface.”
Mair says newer electric stovetops are also getting better in terms of temperature accuracy and responsiveness.
For diehard gas fans, she suggests using a barbecue with a side burner or a portable gas cooktop outdoors.
“If you really want the gas flame cooking experience for a particular dish, cook it on a burner outside where you don’t need to worry about polluting your indoor air.”
Heating
If you have reverse-cycle air conditioning installed in your home, you should definitely consider using it to heat your home in winter instead of rolling out a gas heater.
Not only will your air quality improve, you might also end up saving money, as it’s significantly cheaper to effectively warm a room with air con than a plug-in heater.
Otherwise, you can always swap your plug-in gas heater for an electric alternative, but they generally cost slightly more to run.
Read more: Best heating options for renters
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Can Dirty Carpet Cause Asthma
Carpets cancan trigger asthmacantrigger asthmadirty carpets can lead toOther Changes to Make at Home
Open Fires And Wood Burning Stoves
Lots of people with asthma tell me that fire smoke makes their asthma worse. Thats because particles in smoke can get right into your airways.
Tip: Ask friends or family members to not to use open fires or wood burning stoves, just before or while youre visiting. It goes without saying that its a good idea to avoid pubs or venues that have them too.
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Can You Be Allergic To Central Heating Radiators
The Answer is YES! Indirectly as dust is a major factor for occupants with reduced or low immune systems!!
Radiators collect and recirculate dust particles via heat convection. This increases exposure levels of toxic pollutants trapped in dust particles in the air we breathe indoors.
These are potent triggers for allergies, asthma, asthma attacks and respiratory infections that are drastically increasing annually during the winter months. Peaking in September and December reflected in NHS admissions requiring emergency treatments.
Question – Are central heating radiators becoming equivalent to the indoor diesel car that is going unnoticed, as a result of adverse effects when using central heating in airtight buildings?
Extracts which have been collated from The Keele Research Evidence Report
Between 1986 and 2006 house sizes became smaller in terms of floor area and volume. The reduction in volume when combined with airtightness and restricted air infiltration has resulted in internal air change rates reducing by close to 90% resulting in poor air quality issues.
Ventilating homes is often an issue when concerned about energy consumption. Balancing air quality and energy for heating, particularly in winter months can be challenging for those wishing to save money and optimise their heating.
Low ventilation may lead to high indoor humidity and moisture accumulation in building structures or materials.
Are Air Conditioners Good For Asthma
Air conditioners are nice. They keep the air cool and refreshing. They can reduce humidity and airborne triggers. The combination of these effects can improve asthma control. They can make breathing easier. But, they may also trigger asthma if not properly maintained.
So, the best A/C units will have “CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® filters.” These are capable of filtering 98% of airborne allergens. Turn it on. Use the recirculate setting. You’ll feel more comfortable. Your lungs will be happier.
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The Impact Of Regular Home Heating Systems
Many traditional forms of home heating can circulate dust, pollutants and smoke around the house, which can trigger asthma. In most cases, open wood fire heaters, unflued gas heating and ducted heating can be quite problematic.
1. Open fires/ wood fire heaters
Although open fires and wood fire heaters are lovely in the winter time, they can pose quite an issue for those with asthma. Open fires and wood heaters generate smoke, which is actually a form of air pollutant. Wood fire heaters also create other particulate matter emissions. If you are suffering from asthma it is a good idea to avoid these forms of heating.
2. Ducted heating
Fan forced ducted heating can collect and circulate dust. If not cleaned regularly, ducted heating will continue to circulate and spread dust all over the house, which can be a trigger for asthma. Additionally, it is not uncommon to find dust mites living within the ducts.
3. Unflued gas heating
Unflued gas heating can release chemicals and air pollutants, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. These heaters also emit water vapour that can lead to mould and dust mites, which are also triggers fro asthma. Fortunately, these heaters were recently banned from sale in Victoria.
Get Your Technique Reviewed
Like Whittamore, McMurray stresses the need for inhaler technique to be assessed at an annual asthma review or at any emergency appointment – this is an essential part of basic asthma care that everyone with the condition should receive. For those patients recently diagnosed or prescribed new asthma medication, a pharmacist can also work with them for the first few weeks to talk through any issues, offer advice on the medication prescribed as well as reviewing inhaler technique and use of spacers – all without the need for an appointment.
Asthma can be kept under control if managed correctly, but learning proper inhaler technique is vital for avoiding a potentially life-threatening asthma attack.
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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.
Asthma Foundation Nsw Warns Of Home Heater Danger
Professor Peter Sly, Deputy Director of Queensland Childrens Medical Research Institute has done extensive research into the effects of unflued heaters on health. While the Carbon Monixide and Formaldehyde from these heaters can be deadly, the Nitrogen Dioxide they produce can also be hazardous to health, said Professor Sly. Many scientific studies show that No2 affects the respiratory system, even at quite low levels, and especially those people with asthma, other respiratory and heart conditions. The presence of No2 has also been associated with a higher prevalence of asthma. A 2010 Woolcock Institute study into the school heaters in 51,000 NSW public schools concluded, .exposure to low Nox unflued gas heaters causes increased respiratory symptoms, particularly in atopic children It is important to seek alternative sources of heating that do not have adverse effects on health.
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Why Is Asthma On The Rise
Many researchers have noted that asthma is on the rise, especially in developed nations. There are some well-accepted theories explaining this increase.
First of all, children in America are more often than not raised indoors. That means they are not exposed to allergens in important stages of development and thus do not become used to them.
Secondly, because people in developed countries tend to be more sedentary, they also have smaller lung capacities. This means when an asthma attack hits, it is felt much more seriously.
Finally, HVAC systems, especially those that have not been installed with allergy and asthma sufferers in mind, can recycle the same allergen-filled air, concentrating triggers and diminishing indoor air quality.
While we cannot control the first two causes, we can address the last. Therefore, we will now turn to the issue of transforming an asthma liability into a tool for controlling asthma triggers.
Are Storage Heaters Bad For Asthmas
Storage heaters are bad for asthma. Used before machines that can store heat, storage heaters were perfect for keeping rooms and small areas warm. After many years of use, it was discovered that unvented or faulty storage heaters could end up releasing deadly gases like carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and nitrogen dioxide, which can make you sick or even cause death. At low levels, nitrogen dioxide can affect your respiratory system and trigger symptoms in those with asthma and other respiratory conditions.
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What Can You Do To Protect Yourself From Extreme Weather Conditions
If its very hot and humid or very cold outside, heres what you can do to reduce your risk of asthma symptoms:
- Stay inside when the air quality is poor. Check your local levels of pollen and pollution, which can trigger asthma symptoms. Avoid going outside when these levels are high.
- Wear a face mask or scarf. When the weather is cold, cover your nose and mouth. This will help humidify the air you breathe in.
- Keep warm in cold weather. Stay warm by wearing a hat, scarf, and gloves in cold weather.
- Carry your rescue inhaler. Bring your rescue inhaler in case you experience symptoms while youre outside.
- Follow your treatment plan. Youre more likely to experience symptoms if your asthma isnt well managed. Follow your doctors recommendations for treating and managing asthma.
Active Air Filtration Services
Electronic air cleaners can provide a clean and effective option for keeping your air healthy. With an electronic air cleaner installed, air will pass through your HVAC system and your electronic air cleaner. The systems prefilter will trap larger particles, and electrically charged filters will take care of the smaller particles, such as dust, pet dander, bacteria, and mold.
One of the best benefits of using an electronic air filter is its reusability. Every few months or so, you can remove your filters and wash them by hand, eliminating the need to buy more filters from a particular dealer or big box store.
However, keep in mind that you will need to select the right electronic air cleaner. Some electronic air cleaners can produce low levels of ozone, which can irritate the lungs. When considering an electronic air cleaner, consult with an HVAC technician to make sure you get a system that does not emit ozone.
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Start With Your Filter
Since the air filter is such a crucial player in reducing indoor allergens, you need to invest in a quality filter capable of trapping even the tiniest particles. An air filters effectiveness is measured using a MERV rating, or a minimum efficiency recording value. MERVs range from one to twenty, with the higher numbers offering the highest level of filtration.
When purchasing air filters, you need to go with a high-efficiency filter that helps alleviate allergy triggers. Most high-efficiency filters are rated from 14 to 16. This range is enough to remove small particles, but theyre still not as good as HEPA filters, which are rated between 17 and 20. HEPA filters, however, are typically not recommended for centralized HVAC systems unless the system has been updated or designed to use HEPA filters. Thats because the higher the air filters efficiency, the more stress it tends to put on the HVAC system. Consult your HVAC technician for help with selecting the right filter for your system.