This Is How Humidifiers Can Help You to Breathe
If you live in a dry climate, humidifiers can humidify the air and reduce irritation of the bronchial tubes. Depending on the symptoms, humidifiers may also reduce the risk of asthma attacks. Although the potential symptoms of asthma such as wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and tightness in the chest due to narrowed airways, the same in each person, the trigger asthma attacks may vary.
In some people, asthma symptoms are triggered by allergies such as dust or mold. In others, severe physical activity or exercise can cause the respiratory tract to narrow. Self-care is as important as treatment in controlling asthma symptoms. Some people use room humidifiers when air is dry, but for some others, too humid air can cause problems.
Keep the moisture low
If you have allergies, use a humidifier only when the air in your home is very dry. Ideally, the humidity should be below 50%. In some circumstances, optimal humidity is between 30 - 40%, according to Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. High humidity only encourages the growth of mold and dust mites. If you have allergies and live in humid areas such as Jakarta or coastal areas, you need a dehumidifier to reduce air humidity.
At the same time, when the humidity is too low, like you live in a desert climate, or during winter, you may experience irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. In such cases, a room humidifier can be useful, especially in your room, if you sleep with dry air.
Keep the moisture high
Sport-induced asthma is a different case, and adding air moisture can be beneficial for this type of asthma. Previous research on the effects of moisture on asthma symptoms found that airway narrowing was significantly worse in children with exercise-induced asthma in a dry room than those exercising in a room with humidity up to 90%. Subsequent studies confirm this effect in children and the elderly. A 1991 European Respiratory Journal study in Canada concluded that the risk of symptoms of exercise-induced asthma was higher during exercise in dry conditions and recovery in humid conditions, and significantly lower in the opposite condition (exercising in moist air and recovery in drier air ).
Choose a simple humidifier
Consult your doctor to see if the humidifier can reduce your symptoms. You do not need a humidifier that is too sophisticated or expensive, but choose the right size for the room to use, easy to clean, and can die automatically if the water tank runs out while you sleep or out of the room. Some humidifiers also have an indicator and humidity control. Use filtered or distilled water to prevent mineral deposits and reduce the growth of microorganisms in water tanks.
Clean the humidifier
If you use a humidifier, make sure that the machine does not cause problems. Dry the humidifier daily to prevent the growth of mold growing in puddles. Clean the whole machine every few days, using a bottle brush or something similar to clear up the hard-to-reach corners or the part where the sediment can accumulate. Allergists Karen H. Calhoun, MD, FACS, FAAOA, professor at Ohio State University, recommend using white vinegar to clean the humidifier, unless prohibited by the humidifier manufacturer. Vinegar as a cleansing agent is an eco-friendly option compared to bleach or peroxide.
