Do air purifiers help those with COPD?
Stiolto Respimat site said: "If your house needs better ventilation and you’re not allergic to pollen, consider opening some windows when the weather is nice. Fresh air could also raise the humidity level. (Note that air purifiers are not proven to benefit those with COPD.)"
I thought air purifiers would help, and high humidity makes it harder for me to breathe! Don't know where they're getting their info from.
Hi njb, and thanks for your post. You bring up an interesting topic - one that is often puzzling to many of our readers. To make it even more puzzling, the information you have shared is from a pharmaceutical company which is responsible for the medication, Stiolto Respimat. Interestingly enough, sometimes, fresh air brings with it a low humidity (depending on the weather). We also have anecdotal reports from some community members who have shared they enjoy the 'cleaner' environment in their home with the use of air purifiers.
I thought you might find it helpful to read this article which focuses on air purifiers and humidifiers: https://asthma.net/living/air-purifiers-vs-humidifiers. It is published on our asthma.net sister community website. I do hope you find the information is helpful to read.
All the best,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)Leon, I know the difference between a purifier and a humdifier. I needed to add a humidifier to oxygen machine when on 24/7, and got bloody nose (which had to get cauterized!) cause it dried out my nose! Also have humidifier to use in winter. Am interested in "tested" and "authorized and approved" purifiers to know what one to purchase if you have any links for those. Hi again, njb, and thanks for your response. I did not mean to imply you weren't familiar with humidifiers, I am sorry if you got that impression. The published article (from asthma.net), included good information about air purifiers so I felt you would want to read that part of the article.
There is a wealth of information on the internet which focuses on air purifiers. In fact, if you were to do your own search, using the key words 'air purifiers UL listed', I think you will find most of the information you may need to make a good decision for purchase. You will find in the search, there are several reviews of the top purifiers on the market. It also includes listings of units which are, in fact, UL approved. That may be a good place to start.
Sadly, I do not work with these devices at all. I would be doing the same thing you are to try to find the one that would be best suited for me.
Please do check back and let us know how you do in your search. We all can benefit from the research you do.
Good luck!
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
As a COPD sufferer, I do not agree with the maker of Stiolto Respimat's statement about air purifiers. I have one running 24/7 in my living room, and I can tell the difference when I am somewhere without one. Air purifiers clean the air of dust, dander, pollens, viruses and bacteria (with the proper ultraviolet light band), among other flare up causing air particles. I couldn't do without mine. As a matter of fact, I am buying another to use in the bedroom at night. Proven or not (their words, not mine), the air purifiers work wonders for my lungs. The proof is in the pudding so to speak.
morn njb it is a Germgaurdian hepa/uv unit filter style c i bought mine on line from Amazon filters last long time n i vacum mine out when red light comes on so as to help last longer vaccum once then replace works out reasonable 4 me
I was diagnosed as Stage 2 COPD last year. The first thing I did was buy two air purifiers for our home, one upstairs, one downstairs. I noticed an immediate improvement in breathing easier. My purifiers have washable filters. It’s amazing, and shocking, to see how filthy those filters get in a few months.
Hope this helps!Hi Spinbob, and thanks for joining in the conversation here as regards, air purifiers and COPD. This is a big help! It is always a 'plus' when we are able to share our own personal experiences managing this disease with the community. It actually is a large part of what our online community is all about. We value your feedback and your input.
All the best,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
