Having a Humidifier for Asthma, Can It Reduce Symptoms?

Those of you who have asthma will agree that this disease is very suffocating. So, can the help of a Humidifier reduce symptoms? Let’s find out!

Asthma is a chronic disease that occurs in the lungs and makes it difficult to breathe. This disease occurs when the airways swell, narrow, and become blocked by excess mucus.

This condition causes coughing, wheezing, breathing problems, and chest tightness, which can be caused by dust, pollen, smoke, exercise, or cold, dry air. With all of this, it is important for those with asthma to avoid triggers.

Humidity levels affect a person’s asthma. According to a lung specialist and sleep medicine expert, Dr. Arun Chowdary Kotaru in Healthshots, here are some of the relationships between humidity and asthma sufferers.

In high humidity, it can be a serious trigger for asthma sufferers. Additionally, a study published in Frontiers in Allergy found a link between increased risk of asthma and increased humidity.

High humidity makes the air feel heavy and tends to make it difficult to breathe. Humid air also traps allergens such as dust mites, mold, and pollen, which tend to trigger asthma.

Meanwhile, low humidity, which is very low, can dry out the airways. This causes them to become more sensitive and respond to asthma triggers.

Dry air also increases the risk of respiratory infections, which can worsen chronic conditions. Rapid changes in humidity levels, such as from a cool, air-conditioned room to hot outdoor air, can also be a trigger.

Does the role of a humidifier affect asthma symptoms?

We all know that humidity affects asthma symptoms. Therefore, a humidifier is important to put in your room. Here are some reasons, including:

1. Relieves irritation

The moisture from the device can soothe dry sinus passages (air-filled spaces in the skull), according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. When the air is dry, your throat and nose become dehydrated and can worsen asthma. Moist air can soothe your airways and ease wheezing and coughing.

2. Helps in cold weather

Indoor air in the winter can be very dry due to heating. Use a humidifier for asthma, as it can add moisture and make breathing easier for asthma sufferers.

3. Reduces mucus blockage

Moist air thins mucus in the lungs and airways. This can be cleared more easily, and breathing becomes easier.

How to maintain a humidifier for maximum use?

Of course, we don’t want to waste the use of humidifiers. So, it is important to do some of these things, including:

– Keep it clean, because a dirty humidifier can release mold, bacteria, and allergens into the air, which can trigger asthma attacks.

– Checking the humidity level with the help of a hygrometer is also important. Because too much humidity can trigger the growth of mold and increase the number of dust mites.

– Try not to use tap water, because it may contain minerals that can cause white dust or facilitate the growth of bacteria.

– Never put a humidifier near the bed, keep it to prevent sleeping in an environment that is too humid.