Hi, Anon, and thank you for such an important question. The answer can also help anyone who has severe allergies, asthma or other breathing difficulties.
Does anyone smoke in the home? If so, that's the No. 1 thing that can be changed to improve quality of life. It's pretty much mandatory to make serious progress on the home front; it's the first thing any medical site suggests.
Are there pets in the home? Pet hair and dander are irritants to many people who have breathing problems. Pets are important members of our families, however, and contribute to our quality of life in many ways. If there is a beloved pet in the home, try to do things to mitigate hair loss and dander loss. With a dog, perhaps take the dog to a groomer every few weeks, and be faithful about vacuuming. With a cat, wipe the fur down with a damp paper towel regularly to prevent some of its dander from entering the air. And try to keep the animals out of the bedroom if at all possible. Dander and hair can float through the air and end up in the bed linens, which affects a person's breathing all night long.
Fabric and things made from it can be traps. Are there old pillows, drapes or carpet in the home that could or should be replaced? They attract dust and mites that can find their way to the lungs. Does older furniture need to be cleaned or slipcovered? When possible, a wood floor or a tile floor is easier to keep dust- and mite-free than carpet.
If the person likes the windows open, changing this may help. Open windows let in pollen, pollution and mold spores.
Be sure that the air conditioning filter is changed religiously.
Keep fluids in the person's system and a humidifier in the home.
Here is the Mayo Clinic's page on lifestyle and home changes for the emphysema patient:
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Hi, Anon, and thank you for such an important question. The answer can also help anyone who has severe allergies, asthma or other breathing difficulties.
Does anyone smoke in the home? If so, that's the No. 1 thing that can be changed to improve quality of life. It's pretty much mandatory to make serious progress on the home front; it's the first thing any medical site suggests.
Are there pets in the home? Pet hair and dander are irritants to many people who have breathing problems. Pets are important members of our families, however, and contribute to our quality of life in many ways. If there is a beloved pet in the home, try to do things to mitigate hair loss and dander loss. With a dog, perhaps take the dog to a groomer every few weeks, and be faithful about vacuuming. With a cat, wipe the fur down with a damp paper towel regularly to prevent some of its dander from entering the air. And try to keep the animals out of the bedroom if at all possible. Dander and hair can float through the air and end up in the bed linens, which affects a person's breathing all night long.
Fabric and things made from it can be traps. Are there old pillows, drapes or carpet in the home that could or should be replaced? They attract dust and mites that can find their way to the lungs. Does older furniture need to be cleaned or slipcovered? When possible, a wood floor or a tile floor is easier to keep dust- and mite-free than carpet.
If the person likes the windows open, changing this may help. Open windows let in pollen, pollution and mold spores.
Be sure that the air conditioning filter is changed religiously.
Keep fluids in the person's system and a humidifier in the home.
Here is the Mayo Clinic's page on lifestyle and home changes for the emphysema patient:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/emphysema/DS00296/DSECTION=lifestyle-and-home-remedies
May 14, 2009 - 9:00amThis Comment
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