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Would A Humidifier Help With Asthma

Humidifiers Help Relieve Feline Asthma

How Does A Dehumidifier Help With Asthma? | Ebac Dehumidifiers

Youre probably aware that room humidifiers help soothe respiratory ailments. You might enjoy having a cool air humidifier in your room to keep the atmosphere comfortable while you sleep. However, you may not know that these devices can also benefit your furry friend. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, having one of these units around your home could help with your cats asthma.

What Are All The Features To Consider On A Humidifier

Whether ultrasonic, evaporative or warming, the humidifier you choose should be a high-quality one. Also, it should have all the features you need to stay comfortable while managing your asthma symptoms.

Some features you can live without however, others are indispensable when you have a chronic respiratory condition. From integral aspects like the correct room capacity to convenience functions such as night mode, there are many features to take into account when buying a humidifier.

What About Dehumidifiers & Can It Help In Asthma

Dampness and humidity in the air can occur in any type of climate, regardless of whether it is hot or cold outside. Breathing in heavily humid air can lead to respiratory distress, which worsens asthma.

While humidifiers add water to the air, dehumidifiers are devices that remove the water from the air. Using a dehumidifier can help in bringing down the humidity inside a home in an overly humid climate. Dehumidifiers also decrease the buildup of dust mites and mold in the house.

If you already have mold present in the house, a dehumidifier wont be able to remove it, but it can reduce or prevent the additional growth of mold.

Dehumidifiers can help people with asthma in the following ways:

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Room Humidifiers For Asthma Sufferers

Those with asthma know how difficult life can be. The chronic condition should only be treated by a medical professional, but there are a number of things one can do to help alleviate the symptoms. Room humidifiers can be very beneficial for asthma symptoms since asthma suffers know that how important humidity is in order to breathe better. If the air is too dry, asthma symptoms can act up and if the air is too humid, a totally new set of symptoms appear. Essentially, when it comes to humidity, balance is key.

What Is The Best Type Of Humidifier For Asthma

Humidifier for Asthma: Pros and Cons

First, you need to understand that there are fundamentally different types of humidifiers in terms of how they operate. But, they all serve the same purpose, and that is to add moisture to the air.

Four of the most common types include evaporate, steam vaporizers, ultrasonic and impeller-driven. The latter two produce a nice, cool mist, with the ultrasonic working silently thanks to the ultrasonic waves it uses to get the job done. As the name implies, steam vaporizers heat water with an electrical element to vaporize it, resulting in a warmer air. Last but not least, evaporative humidifiers use a fan. But all of these, can become breeding grounds for mold, mildew and dust mites without regular and very thorough cleaning.

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Humidity And Heat Are Just The Beginning

When you have an increase in humidity, the humidity itself can trigger asthma, says asthma expert Susan S. Laubach, MD, an associate physician at the Allergy & Asthma Medical Group and Research Center in San Diego.

Add some heat to that humidity and you have a fertile breeding ground for allergens such as dust mites, which thrive in humid air, and mold. Mold thrives in moist, warm, dark environments, says Dr. Laubach. In the summer, we see an increase in mold. These allergens also worsen the impact of environmental pollutants, such as exhaust fumes and ozone. A study published in the journal Asthma looked at hot temperatures and asthma exacerbations and found that when the temperature is about 86 degrees, pediatric hospital visits for asthma symptoms increase in proportion with the amount of elemental carbon in the air.

For some, summer heat and humidity may be complicated by seasonal irritants such as smoke from fires. Research published in Environmental Health Perspectives revealed an increase in doctor visits because of respiratory symptoms in a Canadian community surrounded by several forest fires.

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So Do Humidifiers Help With Asthma

Yes they do, for an asthmatic it is important not to have air that is either too dry or too humid. Clinical studies show that either extreme of humidity will cause airways to narrow. Also, a basic level of humidity leads to less severe infections of the airways. Asthmatics should aim for a range of humidity that EPA recommend i.e. 30 to 50% relative humidity. Any asthmatic would benefit from having a humidity meter, a hygrometer. Although they start at about $12 you should pay more for one that you can be sure is accurate.

At least weekly checks of humidity levels in the home would seem to be wise. Humidity should also be checked after a significant change in temperature, as humidity is very temperature dependent. In summer, the humidity is often high and in the winter the humidity is low.

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What Is The Best Air Humidifier For Asthma

The best way to combat asthma with filtering devices is to use a combination of purifying and humidifying, which scientific studies also support. So your best bet is probably buying an air purifier humidifier combo.

In this way, you will get the best of both worlds. Many of these devices have a very good air filtrating system, which will get rid of the harmful particles in the air. Then, after the air is filtered, the humidifier will do its magic and make the air more humid. That is possibly the best combination for asthmatics.

As for recommendations of which device to pick, we think that this one might be worth a try.

How Common Is Asthma

7 Humidifier Benefits For Baby With Asthma Cold And Allergies

There are 22 million Americans who suffer from chronic asthma, and 30,000 people have an asthma attack each day. Its the most common chronic disease among children, and 4,000 people die each year due to asthma. Cool, dry air contributes to this problem, irritating nerves in the lungs which can lead to inflammation.Asthma attacks are so terrifying because the affected individual literally feels as though they cant breathe. This is due to constriction of the breathing muscles, suddenly-inflamed airways, and an increased amount of thickened phlegm. Humidifiers help with asthma symptoms and prevent attacks by preventing a dry throat, nose and mouth. In a nutshell, those with chronic breathing issues can rest in peace with a comfortable level of breathing. Even though nasal sprays and over-the-counter medications may help with breathing problems, only a humidifier for asthma can guarantee no additional side effects.

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Humidifier Vs Dehumidifier: Which Is Better For Asthma

For people with asthma, managing the humidity levels in their homes can make a significant impact on their overall health. Having too little humidity inside the house can cause your throat and nose to become dry, increasing the irritation. This makes colds worse, and asthma becomes more challenging to control. On the other hand, having too much humidity will allow allergens such as mold and dust mites to thrive, triggering an asthma attack. Very humid air also makes it difficult to breathe, putting a lot of strain on the respiratory system and triggering an asthma attack. This is why maintaining the right humidity level inside your home or office can significantly help in reducing your asthma symptoms. Read on to find out more about should you use a humidifier for asthma?

What Triggers Asthma In Seasons

Many different events and conditions trigger asthma, but its usually worst in hot weather. The key triggers change in each season, and heres what to look at in each:

Many different events and conditions trigger asthma, but its usually worst in hot weather. The key triggers change in each season, and heres what to look at in each:

Spring can be one of the worst months for asthma sufferers because of the amount of pollen in the air. All the plant life, especially trees, release their pollen into the air, and this is a major trigger for asthma.

The pollen levels tend to peak in the early morning and late at night, so its worthwhile closing your windows and doors as much as possible to stop pollen coming in. Humidifiers are useful in Spring to help make your asthma easier to manage.

Summer Season

In summer, the heat and humidity can trigger your asthma. The dry air can impact your airways and dry out your respiratory system, so your asthma is more likely to come on.

Similarly, the humidity in Summer can make it harder to breathe and trigger asthma attacks. Theres also higher levels of pollution in the air in Summer which can have a negative impact.

Fall Season

In fall, your most likely trigger is the cold or flu. These conditions spread more commonly in the fall months and can make it difficult to breathe.

Winter Season

Winter is also usually when pets are inside more often, increasing your risk of coming into contact with allergens and dust mites.

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Using A Humidifier For Asthma: Does It Help Symptoms

This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHowâs Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards.There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 2,377 times.Learn moreâ¦

If you live in an arid climate, using a humidifier to add extra moisture to the air in your home could help relieve symptoms of asthma. A humidifier isnt a replacement for medication or other asthma treatments, but using one may help you breathe a bit easier. Be wary of increasing the humidity too much, though, as that could actually make asthma worse. There are lots of different options, from cool-mist humidifiers to steam vaporizers, but dont let that deter youits easy to find the best humidifier for your needs.

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How Does A Humidifier Help With Asthma

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Asthma symptoms can be alleviated by better quality air which is why humidifiers can make a remarkable difference in the management of this chronic disease. Asthma can cause nasal passages to become dry and a humidifier can moisten these airways, allowing for stronger breathing.

Symptoms of asthma can be maintained by the use of humidifiers and may even limit the number of asthma attacks an individual experiences. The devices can ease dry throat and mouth discomfort through humidity, as well as lessen the stress of an individual who suffers from asthmatic symptoms, lessening worries of a flare up.

Maintaining a comfortable nasal cavity can keep stress at bay and minimize symptoms, as your mind isnt constantly triggering your muscles to contract in response to stress.

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What Is The Best Type Of Humidifier For Asthmatics

A humidifier for an asthma sufferer should only disperse water into the air by evaporation. You may think that all humidifiers use evaporation to get water into the air. However, this is not the case please see the diagram below and this for further details.

If using a portable humidifier, asthmatics should not use an ultrasonic humidifier or cool mist humidifier. This is because these humidifiers can transmit water droplets directly into the atmosphere . The same also applies to an impeller humidifier. Also in the room temperature water of these humidifiers, bacteria and fungi can grow. If these humidifiers have bacteria and fungi growing in the water, these will be breathed in by the asthmatic person and potentially irritate or even infect the airways. So a dirty humidifier is a potential threat to an asthmatic.

Both a warm mist humidifier and an evaporative humidifier use evaporation alone to get moisture into the air .

Other impurities in the water in the humidifier can also be a problem. Using distilled water in the humidifier can lessen this risk, but it is safest to use a warm mist humidifier or an evaporative humidifier.

So in general the best type of humidifier for an asthmatic is a warm mist humidifier. However, if you have children or pets, then to avoid injury to them from steam or boiling water, it would be best to opt for an evaporative humidifier.

Tips For Choose A Right Humidifier For Asthma

Now, there are a lot of humidifiers out there. But which is the right one for you? Our short guide will give you the key points to look out for before your purchase.

  • Temperature: When you choose your humidifier, you should pick one that includes warm mist. A cool mist humidifier wont be as effective at easing your symptoms.
  • Humidity control: Having a high or low humidity, or a humidity that is always changing, is also bad for people with asthma. You will want to find a humidifier that has humidity control.
  • Easy to clean: Theres no point spending more time than you need to cleaning your humidifier. If you put off cleaning, your humidifier can become a breeding ground for mold, viruses, and other bacteria.

If you cover these three things, it willprobably come down to looks and price. We cant help with thisyou need to seta budget and choose a humidifier that will fit with your décor. There areplenty to choose from, and plenty of colors. Check out some of our favoritesfrom the TaoTronicssite below.

  • Automatic humidity monitor
  • Easy to cleantop fill
  • Can be used with essential oils
  • Easy to cleantop refill

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Is A Humidifier Good For Seasonal Allergies

Many of the over-the-counter drugs, remedies passed down from grandparents and even breathing masks can be avoided during cold and flu season by simply purifying and humidifying your air, allowing your mucous membranes to do their job effectively.

A properly cleaned and maintained air purifier & humidifier device can curb the potency of dry air irritants, alleviate coughing, sore throats and running noses, and help keep your fingers out of your dry, irritated eyes and nasal passages.

There is evidence that a higher humidity level can increase the spread of bacteria. We recently looked into this when making our new guide on air purifiers to fight bacteria.

Which Is The Ideal Humidity Level To Ease Breathing Problems

Humidifier for Asthma: Good or Bad? | Tita TV

It is recommended that you maintain the humidity level between 30% and 50% in your home, workplace, or anyplace in need of humidity level regulation. This level is the most comfortable to stay in, irrespective of air conditioning systems. You can avoid and ease breathing problems at this level. High humidity will lead to bacterial and fungal growth, damage to property, and respiratory disease. Low humidity on the other hand could lead to watery and dry eyes, irritation in the nasal passage, dry skin, etc.

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What Are Signs And Symptoms Of Asthma

Sometimes, the signs and symptoms of asthma begin before a full-blown attack starts. A few of the pre-attack symptoms include unusual exhaustion after physical exercise, trouble sleeping and nighttime coughing.

In the midst of an attack, coughing also occurs however, coughing may be uncontrollable and experienced with shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, anxiety, rapid breathing and even blue-tinted fingernails and lips as the persons oxygen level decreases.

But Now We Have A Breakthrough

Recently manufacturers in the indoor air business have become aware of the problems associated with dirty humidifiers and the allergens they might be spreading around our home and have come up with a great solution. A 2 in 1 air purifier and humidifier device that both adds humidity to the air, whilst also cleaning it ensuring the device itself is not adding any impurities to the air. Naturally it will still need cleaning from time to time, but this breakthrough in modern technology for all allergy sufferers.

We cant recommend buying one of these combi devices enough. They are fantastic and solve all the problems associated with regular humidifiers.

If you do suffer from asthma and allergies. If you would like to see some of the units we recommend, then check out our other post about it: humidifier and air purifier products.

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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.

Can A Humidifier Help My Asthma

What Is The Best Humidifier For Asthma?

Along with medication, there are certain lifestyle modifications that those with asthma can put in place to help limit exposure and flare-ups. Everything from dry air to humidity can leave you wheezing or triggering asthma symptoms, so you may be wondering whether or not a humidifier could help you. Before getting a humidifier there are a few things that asthma and allergy specialists can recommend to ensure that you get the most from this home product.

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