Do humidifiers help you breathe better?

Are you struggling with breathing difficulties and wondering if humidifiers can be your convenient solution? Look no further. This article will provide you with everything you need to know about using humidifiers to breathe better.

Understanding indoor air

Before delving into the benefits of humidifiers, let’s explore how indoor air affects human health.

We’re all familiar with outdoor pollution – smog, dust, pollen are some common examples. But what most people don’t realize is that the air inside our homes can also be packed with contaminants from cooking fumes, cleaning products VOCs (volatile organic compounds), pet dander and more! Indoor pollutants can cause eye irritation, make allergies or asthma worse,and even lead to serious respiratory issues like bronchitis.

To ensure optimal air quality indoors one needs proper ventilation and humidity levels just right!

How does a humidifier work?

A humidifier works by emitting moisture into the room- thereby increasing its overall humidity level. These devices come in three main types:

Evaporative Humidifiers

An evaporative humidifier increases humidity by pulling dry indoor air through a wick soaked in water until saturation which results in water vapor dispersion into the atmosphere.

Ultrasonic Humidifiers

Ultrasonic models use high frequency vibrations for breaking down liquid water molecules into fine mist cloud dispersions thus keeping an adjustable humidity range desired for any given environment [1].

Steam Vaporizers

Steam Vaporizers raise RH (Relative Humidity) percentage very quickly as boiling takes place releasing much steam hence raising moisture levels impressed , especially during winter months when heaters and carpeting often leak out essential household dryness.

Benefits of Using A Humidifier

Humidity levels that range between 30% – 50% promotes good health conditions where individuals are less prone towards contracting flu viruses; this helps prevent viral pharyngitis and other respiratory ailments [2].

Moisturizes dry nasal passages

When humidity levels drop below 30%, it can cause discomfort by drying out the skin as well as humidifying excess mucus build up inside nostrils.The use of a humidifier helps alleviate sinus problems, effectively moisturizing streaked skin and correcting snoring caused due to airway wetness.

Reduces allergies

Static electricity buildup in homes that is common during winter months increases dust inflows thus promoting allergic rhinitis. Using a humidifier prevents such static phenomena resulting in allergies reduction [3].

Soothing breathing difficulties

The use of the medication known as Salbutamol with steam therapy has been found effective for treatment of exacerbation asthma symptoms associated with various medical conditions including COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)[4]. The moist environment created through an ultrasonic or mist based machine device greatly results in reducing asthma attacks simultaneously improving quality living within those affected communities

Types of Humidifiers

Humidifiers come in two main types depending on their functionality .

Portable Humidifiers

These are suited for small spaces such as apartments , bedrooms or your kid study area. They usually work best when they clear single room air space while having added health benefits too.

Tabletop units

Tabletop portable humidifiers typically have gallon-sized tanks that produce humidity continuously for anywhere between 10-24 hours.

Personal Units

Personal portable models tend to be smaller, and designed to keep you comfortable wherever you go. They often attach directly onto water bottles adding additional moisture whilst upping hydration capacities making it ideal for overseas travel.

Whole House / Furnace Humidifiers

To add balanced moisture throughout large indoor areas like living rooms/family rec centers/furnaces etc., whole-house furnace systems may be installed requiring professional services..

Maintenance Required While Using A Humidifier

Like any device that introduces moisture into the atmosphere, humidifiers require regular maintenance to function correctly. Here are a few things you can do:

### Avoid using tap water
Tap water may contain high levels of dissolved minerals , leading to white/grey powdery deposit formation which can reduce its efficacy if not cleaned up on time.

Regularly changing filters

Frequently replacing your humidifying machine’s filter reduces bacterial and fungal accumulations preventing it from release resulting in cleaner, fresher air quality [5].

Cleaning Water Tank & Humidifying chamber

One should ensure proper cleaning practices for their tank as well as controlling wetness build up inside of devices watering holes frequently – this helps extend functional lifespan over time while keeping essential household devices healthy [6].

Conclusion

Humidifiers have numerous benefits when used appropriately: alleviating breathing difficulties caused by dry air environments, reducing allergy symptoms due to static buildup during winter seasons and even aiding with respiratory issues such as asthma attacks. So why struggle with respiratory illnesses anymore? Invest in a humidifier today and let it help you breathe better!

[1] https://www.honeywellstore.com/store/products/48-hour-ultrasonic-cool-mist-humidifier-black-hul430b.htm
[2]https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nhs.12588
[3]https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2042098616676045
[4]http://journaldatabase.info/articles/treatment_severe_septic_patients_with.html.
[5]https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/in-depth/humidifiers/art-20048021#:~:text=Regularly%20cleaning%20your%20humidifier%27s%20tank,the%20best%20output%20of%20moisture.
[6]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6441080/