Dealing with Asthma

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology more than 20 million Americans have asthma, and every 1 in 4 Americans suffer from a combination of allergies and asthma. Additionally, the last few decades have seen a steady rise in asthma cases in America. One suspected cause of this increase is a corresponding rise in air pollution. Air pollution isn’t only an issue when outside. With advanced building and insulation techniques, our indoor environments have become a whole separate environment, and in many case, not a healthy one. Air stays uncirculated, polluted, and stale—a very hostile climate for asthma sufferers. However, there are ways to make your indoor environment a safe and healthy oasis to keep asthma attacks in check.

Common Asthma Triggers
First, some background knowledge on what can cause an asthma attack. Asthma attacks can be triggered by outside elements, pollutants, or by internal body factors. More often than not, it is an outside agent that is to blame. The most common asthma triggers are listed below.

• Pollen: During allergy season, pollen is the number one culprit for making you sneeze, causing your nose to run, or giving you itchy eyes. Allergies and asthma often times go hand in hand. According to Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, about 50% of asthma cases are known as allergic-asthma. In terms of childhood asthma, more than 80% of children who have asthma also suffer from allergies. Therefore, as an asthma sufferer it is crucial to minimize your exposure to pollen, which is so tiny it can remain in the air for long periods of time. Air purifiers, especially those with HEPA filters, are excellent for cleaning the air of pollen.
  
  
• Dust Mites: These microorganisms’ waste products are highly irritating to the lungs, and because of their tiny size they are easily breathed in. These pests make their homes in upholstered furniture and in bedding. Their waste products are so numerous and light weight that moving, walking, or cleaning can cause them to become airborne and remain there. Allergy bedding, steam cleaning, dehumidifying, and vacuuming will help control dust mites from finding new residences within your home, but an air purifier can ensure you aren’t breathing their waste in. (For more about dealing with dust mites, see our other articles entitled Dust Mites 101 and Dust Mites and Allergies.)
  
  
• Mildew and Mold: Keeping your home humidity at a balanced level (between 45% and 50%) will keep mold and mildew (a form of mold) from growing and keep those tiny mold spores and bacteria from infecting your air. These pollutants can easily irritate the lungs and cause an asthma attack. A quality dehumidifier will keep your home in ideal balance year round—which will keep you comfortable and worry free.
  
  
• Pet Dander: People and pets are often times inseparable, and if this is the case in your home, you will need to do a bit more maintenance to ensure that the presence of your pet(s) isn’t adversely affecting your allergies. Bathe pets regularly to remove outside pollutants from their fur; use baby wipes on their fur between washes to help remove pollen, dust, dirt from their coats. Keep pets off the bed and furniture. Vacuum regularly. Frequent hand washing and hand sanitizer will help to keep any amounts of dander from staying in close contact with you. An air purifier will also filter the air of dander and trap hair from polluting your air.
  
  
• Smoke: Smoke is particularly bad for asthma sufferers. Tobacco smoking should be done outside or limited to a single room in the house that can be ventilated from the outside of the house, not through the house. Air purifiers specifically designed to absorb smoke are an excellent choice if you must smoke indoors. These machines are also helpful in absorbing fireplace smoke and cooking smoke. Fireplaces are detrimental for asthmatics because of both the smoke and volatile gases released from burning wood. It is best to avoid using fireplaces if you have asthma.

• Cleaning Products: Cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that saturate the air. These chemicals are dangerous for everyone, but they are particularly dangerous for asthmatics and should be avoided or used minimally. A safe and highly effective alternative to these chemical cleaners is a steamer. These machines can replace virtually every chemical cleaner in your house. They use only tap water and are simple to operate.
  
  
• Fragrances: Whether it is scented candles, perfumes, lotions, or air fresheners, the chemicals in these products are very dangerous for asthma sufferers. Candles are for two reasons: first, they produce smoke and second, they release a chemical scent into the air. Perfumes and lotions should be kept to a minimum; for some people these items seem necessary but if over used they can prompt an asthma attack. Air fresheners just should be avoided all together in the home of an asthma sufferer. These items saturate the air to make it smell artificially fresh—when air is truly clean of pollutants after it has been filtered through an air purifier there is no artificial smell. (A good rule of thumb to remember when dealing with any chemical is if it gives off a strong smell or fumes, then it can cause an asthma attack—think of the last time you smelled paint, paint thinners, glues, fertilizers, etc; all items of this nature should be avoided.)

It is important to properly handle environmental agents in your home that can cause asthma attacks. It is estimated, according to research from the Annual U.S. Prevalence Statistics for Chronic Diseases, that nearly 40,000 people miss school or work every day because of asthma, with another 30,000 people experiencing an asthma attack daily, 5,000 people visiting the emergency room, 1,000 people being admitted to the hospital, and another 11 people dying due to asthma. Why become one of the statistics if you can avoid it? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Still Got Questions?
For more information on specific products and ways to improve your indoor environment, review our extensive product listings and other educational materials. Not sure what’s best for you—we can take the guess work out of decision making, contact our product experts toll free at 1 (800) 934-9194. Our goal is to make your indoor environment a healthy one.