COPD: Keeping Your Home’s Air Healthy

For those diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), COPD includes two illnesses in conjunction with one another. These would include chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Given these two problems, it is important it is important to keep certain irritants out of their airways. There are actually some simple steps you can do in order to help keep your airways clear of irritants.

Don’t Use Wood Burning Stoves

Smoke can be one of the most irritating things that someone with COPD can inhale. Therefore, it is wise to not use wood burning stoves in one’s home. These stoves emit minute particles in the air that can get into the lungs. As a result, it is much harder to breathe.

Limit Pet Dander

Many people who have been diagnosed with COPD also have allergies. These can make it more difficult to breath. Pets that can cause pet dander particles to float through the air include dogs, cats and even birds. If you have COPD and have a pet with which you cannot part, there are some things you can do to limit your exposure. First, you should wash your hands after petting the animals. Secondly, keeping your bedroom free of pet dander is helpful. Therefore do not allow pets in your bedroom.

Use Air Filters

Fine particles circulate through the air of your home. When inhaled, they can be quite irritating to the lungs. To limit these particles, having a filter on your home’s ventilation system is ideal. To keep the filter doing their job, it is important to also replace the older filters with new ones.

Keep Your Windows Closed

There are many different forms of air pollution in the air we breathe. Also, the outside air contains its fair share of allergens and dust. All of this can wreak havoc with your lungs. During seasonal allergy season, it can be quite bothersome for a person with COPD. A good way to keep your indoor air clean is simply to keep your windows closed.