Chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) is a progressive lung illness that makes it tough to breathe. If you have COPD, it is essential to take steps to prevent triggers that can make your symptoms even worse. For instance, smoke, chemical fumes, air contamination, high ozone levels, and cold air temperatures may aggravate your symptoms.
Some people with COPD likewise have asthma or environmental allergies. Common allergens, such as pollen and dust mites, may also make your COPD worse.
What’s the Link Between COPD, Asthma, and Allergens?
In asthma, your airways are chronically swollen. During a severe asthma attack they swell a lot more and produce thick mucus. This can obstruct your airways, making it hard to breathe. Typical asthma activates include ecological allergens, such as dust mites and animal dander.
The symptoms of asthma and COPD are often hard to differentiate. Both conditions cause chronic inflammation of your airways and interfere with your capability to breathe. Some people have asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) — a term utilized to describe people who have qualities of both diseases.
The number of people with COPD have ACOS? Price quotes range from about 12 to 55 percent, report scientists in Respiratory Medicine. According to scientists in the International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, you might be most likely to be hospitalized if you have ACOS rather than COPD alone. That isn’t surprising, when you think about the ways that both diseases affect your airways. Asthma attacks are particularly harmful when your lungs are already compromised with COPD.
How Can You Avoid Common Indoor Allergens?
If you have COPD, attempt to limit your exposure to indoor air contamination and irritants, including smoke and aerosol sprays. You may also require to avoid common air-borne allergens, especially if you’ve been diagnosed with asthma, environmental allergies, or ACOS. It can be tough to avoid airborne allergens completely, however you can take steps to reduce your direct exposure.
Pollen
If your breathing issues worsen throughout certain seasons, you might be reacting to pollen from seasonal plants. If you think pollen is activating your signs, check your local weather network for pollen projections. When pollen counts are high:
- limit your time outdoors
- keep the windows closed in your automobile and home
- utilize an air conditioner with a HEPA filter
Dust Mites
Dust mites are another common allergy, asthma, and COPD trigger. To restrict dust in your home:
- replace carpets with tile or wood floors
- regularly clean all your bedding and area rugs
- vacuum your house on a regular basis utilizing a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter
- install HEPA filters in your heating and cooling systems and replace them regularly
Wear an N-95 particle mask while you’re vacuuming or cleaning. Even much better, leave those jobs to somebody who doesn’t have allergies, asthma, or COPD.
Pet Dander
Microscopic bits of skin and hair make up animal dander, a typical allergen. If you believe your pet is adding to your breathing problems, think about discovering them another caring home. Otherwise, shower them regularly, keep them away from your bed room, and vacuum your home frequently.
Mold
Mold is another common reason for allergies and asthma attacks. Even if you’re not allergic to it, breathing in mold can result in a fungal infection in your lungs. The threat of infection is higher among people with COPD, alerts the Centers for Illness Control and Prevention.
Mold thrives in moist environments. Regularly examine your house for indications of mold, especially near faucets, showerheads, pipes, and roofs. Keep your indoor humidity levels at 40 to 60 percent utilizing air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and fans. If you find mold, don’t clean it up yourself. Employ an expert or ask somebody else to clean up the affected area.
Chemical Fumes
Numerous household cleaners produce potent fumes that can intensify your airways. Bleach, restroom cleaners, oven cleaners, and spray polish prevail perpetrators. Avoid using products like these indoors in locations without appropriate ventilation. Even much better, use vinegar, baking soda, and mild solutions of soap and water to meet your cleansing needs.
Chemical fumes from dry cleaning can likewise be irritating. Get rid of the plastic from dry-cleaned garments and air them out thoroughly prior to you save or use them.
Scented Hygiene Products
Even mild scents can be annoying for some people with allergies, asthma, or COPD, particularly in closed environments. Prevent utilizing scented soaps, hair shampoos, fragrances, and other hygiene products. Ditch scented candles and air fresheners too.
The Takeaway
When you have COPD, preventing your triggers is crucial to handling your symptoms, enhancing your quality of life, and lowering your threat of issues. Take steps to limit your direct exposure to contaminants, irritants, and allergens, such as:
- smoke
- pollen
- dust mites
- animal dander
- chemical fumes
- scented products
If your doctor suspects you have asthma or allergies in addition to COPD, they might order lung function tests, blood tests, skin prick tests, or other allergy testing. If you’re diagnosed with asthma or ecological allergies, take your medications as prescribed and follow your suggested management plan.
