November 19, 2020
Humidifiers provide a variety of benefits for senior COPD patients.
For seniors and those with lung conditions such as COPD, maintaining the ideal air quality in the house is crucial. Air that is too dry, for instance, can cause or exacerbate health issues such as:
- Itchy, dry, or chapped skin
- Nose bleeds
- A scratchy throat
- Dry eyes
- Aggravated asthma, allergy, and cold/flu symptoms for example, congestion
- And more
Yet air that’s too humid can cause mold and mildew to grow, which can cause a host of health issues in addition to damage to the home.
Humidifiers, when used properly, can help maintain the perfect level of moisture in the air (between 30 – 50%), and particularly for individuals with a chronic lung disease, can foster eased breathing, reduced irritation of nasal passages, and the ability to more effectively expel phlegm in coughing.
Furthermore, using a humidifier overnight can reduce congestion and snoring, help minimize the amount of any allergens, viruses and bacteria in the air, even soothe a scratchy scalp. Again, use caution to ensure the level of humidity doesn’t surpass the optimal range, which could result in disrupted sleep patterns.
There are various kinds of humidifiers to choose from:
- Central humidifiers, which are built within the house’s central air conditioning/heating unit; the most costly option, but one that benefits the whole home rather than just one room
- Impeller humidifiers, utilizing a cool mist, which is a safer alternative since it cannot cause burns; it may, however, trigger allergic or asthmatic problems if overused
- Evaporators, blowing air through a dampened filter; an affordable choice, but can be problematic if allowed to add an excessive amount of moisture into the air
- Ultrasonic humidifiers, using vibrations to produce mist in either a cool or warm option; offered in a range of sizes
- Steam vaporizers, which are typically the most affordable and most portable option; water is heated and then cooled before being discharged into the air
Speak with a physician about the benefits of a humidifier in your senior loved one’s specific circumstances, and which kind is recommended.
Continuum is here to help individuals with chronic health conditions like COPD, or simply just the difficulties inherent in normal aging, through an array of home care services. Reach out to us at (314) 863-9912 to see how we can help you breathe easier with trusted home care in Des Peres, MO and the surrounding communities.