Breathe Easy and Allergy-Proof Your Home
In conjunction with your throat, voice box, tongue and lips, your lungs force air through your vocal chords—helping them vibrate. You can thank your lungs for helping you blow out your birthday candles, sing in your car, and cheer on your favorite sports team.
Your lungs work continuously to make your life easier. The hard-working pair helps you breathe 8 to 16 times a minute, while at rest, and also supports your mental and physical health. For example, the explosion of air associated with laughing immediately reduces stress and tension. Also, healthy lungs are needed in order to handle increased respiration during rigorous exercise.
Asthma
Asthma is a common chronic lung disease that makes it difficult for air to move freely through the lungs. People with asthma have inflamed airways that become swollen when something triggers symptoms. Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain, chronic coughing, and trouble sleeping due to wheezing. Also, many people with asthma tend to have allergies.
Allergies
Allergy symptoms can be minor, but irritating, or life threatening. Symptoms arise when our immune system mistakes a harmless substance, or allergen, as an aggressor to the body. The immune system overreacts to the allergen and causes an allergic reaction or asthma attack. Common allergens are pet dander, dust mites, pollen, mold, smoke and pollution.
Ways to Allergy-Proof Your Home
Follow these cleaning practices to help make your home a safe place for you and your loved ones with allergies or asthma.
- Use allergy-proof covers on your pillows and mattresses.
- Wash bedding weekly to get rid of dust mites.
- Use a dehumidifier to reduce excess moisture.
- Don’t allow pets in bedrooms or on furniture.
- Vacuum at least twice a week.
- Keep bathrooms clean and dry by using a fan during showers.
- Avoid inhaling fumes from harsh cleaning products.
- Use washable curtains and shades.
- Store children’s toys and stuffed animals in plastic bins.
- Use an air filter that has a small-particle or HEPA filter.
- Wash dishes daily.
- Wipe up excessive moisture in your refrigerator.
Avoid exposure to allergens and smoke, and attend regular physicals to stay healthy throughout the year. Also motivate your loved ones to go in for a yearly check up.