Do Air Purifiers Help With Asthma

By MSPure Life Jun 24, 2024

Do you know? As of 2023, there are approximately 339 million people worldwide who suffer from asthma, and the number is only increasing. The cause of this chronic respiratory disease is not fully understood, but it is believed to be a combination of environmental and genetic factors.

And by environment, it means the air you breathe. Both indoor and outdoor air pollution can increase your risk of getting asthma or can worsen your symptoms. That is the reason most doctors recommend installing an indoor air purifier to an asthma patient.

So, do air purifiers really help relieve asthma?

Yes, air purifiers help with asthma. However, not all types of air purifiers will do. Before you rush to the nearby store to buy one, you should first understand asthma and its triggers to decide on the perfect purifier for your house.

This blog delves into the effectiveness of air purifiers in providing asthma relief and an understanding of how these devices tackle asthma triggers.

Common Asthma Symptoms

Asthma is a long-term respiratory disease that inflames and narrows the airways in the lungs. This problem can affect people from all walks of life but is most common in children.

If you think you or a loved one may have asthma, keep an eye out for these typical symptoms.

1. Wheezing

Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound made while breathing. The whistling sound happens when the airway tubes become smaller anywhere from your throat out into your lungs. You’ll hear this sound mostly when a person is asleep.

2. Coughing

There can be many reasons for coughing, but if the coughing is worse at night or early in the morning, it could be asthma symptoms. Tuberculosis can be another reason for ‌continuous coughing. So make sure to visit the doctor to find the root cause before you take any steps.

3. Shortness of Breath

If you or someone you know is having difficulty breathing, it could be a strong indication of asthma. Difficulty in breathing is mainly triggered by narrow airways, chronic inflammation, increased mucus production, airway ‌hyper- responsiveness, and impaired gas exchange.

4. Chest Tightness

Chest tightness is another symptom most asthmatic patient’s experience. It involves a feeling of pressure or squeezing in the chest. This symptom can vary in intensity from person to person. Some might feel minor discomfort and while other might feel severe constraint.

Understand Asthma Triggers

Asthma triggers can vary from person to person. So, to effectively manage and treat, it's not only important to recognize the symptoms but also to understand what triggers them.

Air Pollution - Most people blame car exhaust and industrial emissions for air pollution. But they are not the only culprit. Smoke from cooking and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from paint and cleaning products also play an equal part. Both indoor and outdoor air pollutants can trigger asthma.

Allergens - After air pollution, allergens are the most common triggers for asthma attacks. Allergens can be of many types, such as pollen from trees, grass, and weeds, dust mites, pet dander, and many more.
Tobacco Smoke - Tobacco smoke is a deadly poison for any asthma patient. You should avoid it at any cause because these smokes can severely escalate asthma attacks and can be even fatal.
Cold Air - Did you know in cold temperatures, your muscles and blood vessels constrict? This is a way for your body to combat colds. But cold air also causes the airways to tighten, which is bad for asthmatic patients.

The Impact of Air Pollution on Asthma

In the name of development, humans have drastically altered the quality of the air we breathe. If we don’t take action soon, there will be no breathable air.

Speaking of asthma, air pollution is the main culprit behind it. Polluted air can consist of various dangerous pollutants, including Particulate matter (PM). Ground-level ozone (O3), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

All these pollutants can directly affect respiratory health in many ways. It can cause irritation and inflammation of the airways, damage cells in the respiratory system, and even alter the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to allergens and respiratory infections.

For people with asthma, exposure to air pollutants can not only trigger asthma symptoms but also increase the frequency and severity of the problem. Even if you don’t stay near ‌industrial area, indoor air pollution can still trigger your asthma.

How Can Air Purifiers Help Relieve Asthma?

Though you can do nothing about ‌outdoor air quality, for indoor air, a purifier can make a huge difference. NCBI study finds that indoor HEPA air filters can improve respiratory health in people with asthma. But we at Membrane Solutions think every household should own one for overall well-being.

So, can air purifiers help relieve asthma? While air purifiers alone cannot cure asthma but can help relieve it ‌to some extent by creating a cleaner indoor environment. A small-scale study conducted by JACC showed that air purifiers can helps improve indoor air quality by removing allergens and pollutants such as particulate matter, pollen, mold spores, pet dander, dust mites, and other harmful household chemicals.

The reduction of these pollutants and allergens in the air can help alleviate asthma symptoms and decrease the frequency and intensity of asthma attacks.

How to Choose an Asthma Air Purifier?

If you have come this far, you already know what triggers asthma. Taking into account the triggers, you can choose the right purifier option for your house. However, here are a few things you should take into consideration when choosing an asthma air purifier.

Filtration Efficiency

When selecting an air purifier, ‌filtration efficiency is critical. Look for purifiers that can capture small particles, especially those as tiny as 2.5 microns, as these are often responsible for triggering asthma symptoms.

For effective asthma relief, air purifiers with HEPA filters are highly recommended due to their efficacy in capturing a wide range of particulates. But again, you should also pay attention to the size, a small purifier might not be effective for a bigger room.

If you’re looking for an Extra Large Room Air Purifier, the MS601 might be your ideal air purifier. This filter ‌uses HEPA filtration technology and captures ‌99.97% of PM 2.5 particles. It can purify 1410 sq. ft. in half an hour and 2820 sq. ft. in an hour.

This air purifier also incorporates an activated carbon filter for tackling tobacco smoke, gaseous pollutants, and other odors. MS601 is one of the leading air purifiers in the industry. You won’t be disappointed by the product.

Noise Level

The next thing you should look for in an air purifier is the noise level. Some units are louder by default, while some come with multiple modes. Take for example the MS601, this air purifier has four smart modes.

Auto Mode - Fan speed adjusts according to air quality. When the room light dims, the indicator light turns off automatically.
Eco Mode - Fan speed adjusts based on air quality. The unit shuts down after 10 minutes of good air quality and restarts automatically if air quality worsens.
Turbo Mode - Highest speed but makes more noise than auto and eco mode. Best during the day.
Sleep Mode - The fan is at its lowest/quietest setting. Best for bedroom.

Precautions for Using Air Purifiers to Treat Asthma

While air purifiers are beneficial in reducing asthma symptoms, certain precautions should be taken to ensure they are used safely and effectively.

Avoid Using Ozone-Producing Air Purifiers

Not all, but there are some air purifiers on the market that produce Ozone gas. So make sure to do your research before you place an order. This type of air purifier not only worsens asthma conditions but can also be dangerous.

Whenever you buy an air purifier, look for the label "ozone-free" on the package. If you see one, you are good to go with it.

Replace Filters Regularly

Filters are the most important component of any air purifier. If it starts to get clogged, it will lose its efficiency, which will lead to less clean air. Less clean air means more possibility for asthma triggers.

Take some time to clean and replace the filter whenever possible. Usually, the replacement interval is 3 to 6 months, but you can replace it as needed.

Location

The location of the air purifier can significantly impact its efficiency. The best place to keep it is in the center of the room. If you placed it in the corner or behind furniture, the intake and output of the air could be blocked.

Air Purifier vs. Humidifier

A lot of people get confused between a humidifier and an air purifier. They think it's the same thing. The mechanism is kind of similar, but fundamentally both have distinct purposes and operate differently.

A humidifier is a device that adds moisture to the air. People living in dryer areas such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia used it to help alleviate symptoms of dry skin, throat, and nose. Whereas, an air purifier, as the name suggests, is designed to remove pollutants and allergens from the air.

Treat Your Asthma with Fresh Air

The air you breathe is what makes your asthma worse or better. Using an air purifiers as a part of an overall asthma management plan can help ‌combat asthma.

But keep in mind, air purifiers should only be viewed as a complementary measure for treating asthma, not a standalone solution. Make sure to consult a doctor for prescribed medical treatments and lifestyle adjustments.

For optimal results, don’t allow anyone to smoke inside the house. Keep your home clean, and free from dust, pet dander, and other potential irritants. Lastly, follow a regular medical check-up to assess your asthma conditions and adapt to treatment as suggested by the doctor.