One of the lesser-known issues of aging is the fact that the immune system loses its strength. The alarm system that tells the body something is wrong just doesn’t work as well. As a result, your body is far less capable of dealing with issues like allergies. It’s important to get proactive and make sure the air quality in your home is good. Otherwise, you’re at risk of allergy-induced asthma, restricted airways, and even bacterial respiratory infections that aren’t easy to get rid of. Following are three ways to help you improve the air quality in your home and reduce the risk of respiratory distress.
Identify the Source of Air Pollution in the Home
Air pollution comes from a variety of sources. The most obvious is outside air full of pollen flowing through the home. But what about the winter months when windows are closed? The source of pollution is a little harder to pin down and may take a little bit of detective work to find. Take a look at carpeting, the HVAC system, pet dander and fur, and even household products. Just about anything can trigger an allergic reaction that creates a cascade effect leading to asthma and related respiratory problems.
Once you’ve figured out where your sources are, take steps to minimize or eliminate their use entirely. If pets live in the home, make it a point to vacuum more frequently and bathe pets, if possible, on a regular basis to reduce dander build-up.
Using an Air Purifier to Reduce Pollution
An air purifier, whether it’s attached to the existing HVAC system or a stand-alone unit, works to remove irritants from the air. While they won’t get every last particle of dust out of the air, they do a good job of clearing most of it. Always remember that a stand-alone unit can only exchange so many cubic feet of air at a time. It may take more than one unit in the home to get the irritant levels down to a point where they’re not noticeable.
How a Humidifier and Dehumidifier Helps
The drier the air, the more pollutants there are. However, the more humidity in the home, the higher the potential for mold. Both issues result in conditions that create air pollution, even in a minor sense. A humidifier helps by “soaking” the pollutants and causing them to fall to the floor. While the pollutants aren’t completely out of the house, they aren’t floating around in the air for you to breathe in. The dehumidifier works by drawing excess moisture out of the air that may contain mold-loving pollutants like spores.
These are just some of the ways you can improve the air quality in your home and reduce the risk of respiratory infections. Immune systems slowed down by age also means a longer time to recover and feel well again. The better the quality of your air, the better the quality of your day-to-day life.