Asthma & Allergies

Did You Know?

Asthma and other allergic diseases have become increasingly prevalent, affecting over 50 million people, or more than 20 percent of the population.

< b>See Air Purifiers for Asthma and Allergies

Asthma is a chronic illness that affects over 22 million Americans. Asthmatics suffer from constricted, sore, and inflamed airways that are highly sensitive. As a result of this sensitivity, exposure to irritants and allergens result in strong reactions in the airways which prevent the lungs from taking in more air. Especially bad episodes of this constriction and inflammation in the respiratory system are called "asthma attacks." These episodes can be triggered by a number of environmental stimulants such as:

• Pollen

• Dander

• Dust

• Warm air

• Cold air

• Stress

• Physical exercise and exertion

Subsequently, asthma suffers experience symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain and/or tightness, etc. In extreme episodes of asthma attacks, death can occur when an asthmatic loses consciousness and dies from lack of oxygen.

While many people with asthma also suffer from allergies, allergy suffers do not always necessarily have asthma. Nonetheless, allergy sufferers experience similar symptoms as asthmatics. An allergy is defined as "an abnormal sensitivity to a given substance, including pollen, drugs, or numerous environmental triggers." Allergy symptoms can be as benign as a runny nose or wheezing, or as life threatening as shock and death. Unfortunately, while asthma can be somewhat controlled, airborne allergens are some of the biggest triggers of allergy symptoms. In addition, allergy triggers exist everywhere - from food, to organic dander, to plants, and to the air we breathe.

For asthma and allergy sufferers, asthma air purifiers utilizing HEPA (high efficiency particulate air filter) are extremely effective in controlling allergens such as dust, dander, and pollen in your home. Composed of a mat of fibers, true HEPA filters must be able to filter out 99.97% of airborne particulates 0.3 microns or larger. Please see the chart below to find out the most common indoor particles and their respective sizes in microns:

Therefore, for asthma and allergy sufferers, HEPA (high efficiency particulate air filter) air purification systems are great for controlling allergens such as dust, dander, and pollen in your home. Because allergy air purifiers with HEPA filters do not emit any chemicals, they are great for people with sensitive lungs. Similarly, allergy air cleaners with Activated Carbon (charcoal that has been treated with oxygen to trap particulates, gases, and odors) also do not utilize chemical filtration such as ozone. Many asthma and allergy air purifiers utilize a combination of these two filtration methods, and these make excellent choices for asthmatics, allergy suffers, and those suffering from other respiratory conditions.

Unfortunately, it is estimated that over 5,000 Americans die from asthma each year, and 1 in 4 urban children suffer from the illness. As a result, billions of dollars are spent every year for asthma treatment, which consist of either quick relief medicines such as bronchodilators, or long-term asthma control medications which have to be taken on a daily basis. For allergy sufferers, the cost of regular injections, medications, or tests is also significant, and is on the rise. With this growing cost in asthma and allergy treatment, a quality asthma or allergy air purifier is a sound investment.

While an air cleaner cannot replace the need for asthma and allergy medication, by removing pollutants from the air, symptoms resulting from these disorders can be significantly reduced.

See Asthma and Allergy Air Purifiers

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