Tips For An Asthma Friendly Home

Asthma Free Forever

Asthma is an illness that is easily exacerbated, as sufferers are particularly sensitive to their environment. Major contributors to discomfort for asthma sufferers comes in the form of dust – a well known, researched and proven stimulant of asthma. However, dust is not the only substance that might be lurking in your home and making any asthma sufferers who enter miserable…

1. Mold

The vast majority of people will keep a clean house, but it is essential that if you do see mold – particularly mildew – building up around window frames or on ceilings, that you remove it. Mildew can make an asthma sufferer downright miserable as the particles of bacteria get in to the air and are subsequently breathed in to the lungs. Clean with tea-tree oil and warm water for a thorough result.

2. Cleaning Products

Any cleaning product that uses harsh chemicals is to be avoided if you’re looking to create an asthma friendly home. Wherever possible, substitute natural ingredients – such as the aforementioned tea tree oil, or an old staple such as white vinegar – for chemical-mix products. Avoid bleach wherever possible.

3. Animal Fur

While an asthma sufferer may not necessarily be allergic to animals, they may still suffer if they encounter a build-up of domestic pet fur. This is particularly true of cats, the fur from which is very fine and can be inhaled relatively easily. Vacuum regularly and keep an eye out for any hairballs that may be around, and groom your cat and dispose of excess fur regularly.

Asthma-Friendly Cleaning Products

Asthma – a respiratory illness caused by lung tube sensitivity – can affect anyone of any age, and can make the sufferers’ lives extremely unpleasant. If you, or someone you live with, suffers from asthma – it’s time to take a look in your cleaning cupboard.

Household cleaning products purchased from grocery stores tend to be a nightmare in a bottle for asthma sufferers. Those incredible products that clean quickly and easy tend to created by mixing strong chemicals, particles of which are absorbed in to the air – and then inhaled by humans – when the product is used. This is not a problem for healthy individuals, but these chemical particles can be extremely irritating for asthma sufferers – perhaps even to the extent of triggering an act.

The best way to counteract this is to switch to natural cleaning products, using items from yesteryear when chemicals were not readily available. The below items are asthma-friendly cleaning products, and most find them just as effective – if not more so – than their chemical-laden shop bought alternatives.

– White Vinegar: use to clean windows and glass for a streak-free finish, and to tackle stubborn stains.

– Natural Borax: be sure to buy natural substitutes to borax, which are just as effective though a little more expensive. A wonderful all-purpose cleaner to be used wherever you previously may have used bleach.

– Tea tree oil: a natural anti-bacterial substance, tea tree oil works well anywhere you wish to rid yourself of germs.

– Bees wax: better, and cheaper, than conventional furniture polish.

By switching to these products, you’ll not only save money but will vastly improve the air quality for anyone suffering from asthma. Everyone wins!

Asthma and the Winters of Discontent

Depending on the sufferer, the respiratory illness asthma can manifest itself in various ways. Some asthma sufferers find their condition is made worse by exposure to dust, whereas others will experience unpleasant tightness of breath while exercising.

One often overlooked cause of asthma aggravation is changes in temperature – that is, air temperature. This problem tends to present itself during winter, when a sufferer goes from a warm building inside and out in to cold air. This sudden change causes the lining of the lungs to contract in shock, and can trigger coughing fits, shortness of breath and wheezing in asthma sufferers. This can make winter an extremely unpleasant season for anyone affected.

There are various ways to deal with the issue, though none are 100% effective – but you can look to improve the situation. First and foremost; wrap up warm! The warmer you are when you step outside, the better chance your lungs will have with coping with the sudden change. A scarf, wrapped around the neck and preferably tucked in to the chest, is your best form of defense

It is also best to give your lungs chance to adjust to the change in temperature – so when you go outside, don’t suddenly start walking or exercising. Stand still and take shallow-to-medium breaths for a few minutes, so your lungs can adjust while they are in a relaxed state. If you change temperatures and then suddenly ask your lungs to work harder – such as by walking immediately – they will struggle to deal with the change all the more. Take it slowly and give your lungs a good chance to adapt

Cure Asthma and Broncho