If you’re a St. Louis area resident who suffers from asthma, you might have noticed that the severity and frequency of your symptoms change during different times of the year. One of the reasons for this is the changing humidity levels in the air both inside and outside.
The link between humidity and asthma is often pointed to during the cold winter months. That’s because the air is much drier then, which can aggravate asthmatic symptoms. But why does this happen, and what can homeowners do to help control humidity and asthma indoors?
How humidity and asthma are linked during the wintertime
During the coldest months of the year like the ones ahead of us, the humidity levels are much lower and the air is much drier. Among many other things, dry air can damage your furniture, cause static shocks and negatively affect your health.
For people with asthma, dry air can be especially uncomfortable. There have been various explanations for this. Some health professionals say that dry air can inflame and constrict our airways. Others point to the excess production of thick mucus that our bodies produce in drier conditions. In either case, asthma sufferers can experience discomfort in their lungs and restricted breathing when the air is too dry.
How you can control the humidity indoors
Luckily, there is something you can do about the humidity in your home whether or not you suffer from asthma. Many homeowners have whole-house humidifiers that allow them to maintain an ideal indoor humidity level. In the summertime, humidifiers remove the excess moisture in the air that can lead to mold and illness. In the winter, they add moisture to the air to make it less dry.
If you have any questions about whole-house humidifiers or staying healthy in your home, contact [company_name], your St. Louis area heating and cooling company.