Air purifiers are known to clean the air, making it healthy for breathing. These pieces of equipment are quite effective for making the environment friendly for human health. However, many people wonder if these purifiers can relieve sinus problems among its many benefits.
Air purifiers help relieve sinus problems. They work by sucking up the air in the room and trapping harmful bacteria in its filter. The air then goes through several purification stages before being released into the room.
Are you wondering how you can maximize air purifiers for nasal congestions? Keep reading to find out more.
What Are Sinus Problems?
Your sinuses play a vital part in your overall health. They are four pillars of hollow chambers located in the skull.
Through the sinuses, the air you breathe is moistened, heated, and filtered. They also serve to insulate and lighten the skull and provide resonance for your voice.
The sinuses function efficiently. However, mucus builds up when inflamed and swollen, making it a perfect breeding environment for bacteria. Furthermore, sinusitis results from exposure to allergens like pollen and mold.
Structural abnormalities may also cause the condition in the sinus cavities. You’ll have to go through surgery to address these abnormalities in such scenarios.
Do Air Purifiers Help Relieve Sinus Problems?
Air purifiers help reduce symptoms of sinusitis. This equipment contains one or multiple filters that clean the air it takes in. After recycling the air, it lets it back into the environment as clean air.
What Air Purifiers Can Help Sinus Problems?
Several medical practitioners recommend air purifiers for patients who have tendencies to suffer sinusitis. Air purifiers are quite effective for preventing allergies.
Despite this, not all purifiers can relieve congestion. That said, there are specific things you should look out for when choosing a purifier.
Below are some of the filter types you should opt for to help with sinus conditions:
Purifiers with HEPA Filter
Air purifiers that use HEPA filters are among the most effective devices available on the current market. They can eliminate even the tiniest impurities as small as 0.3 microns. As a result, they can remove dust mites, pollen, and even mold from the environment.
In other words, an air operating with this filter can effectively remove all of the allergens that contribute to sinusitis.
Purifiers with Activated Carbon Filter
Biological pollutants aren’t the only source of sinus congestion. Several chemical factors can contribute to this condition.
HEPA filters are to catch physical particles smaller than 1 millimeter in size. However, this would be ineffective for chemical pollutants because they are in gaseous form.
The only filter capable of absorbing and eliminating these volatile pollutants from the air is an activated carbon filter. As an added advantage, they are quite effective in removing odors.
Do Air Purifiers Cause Sinuses Problems?
Allergies and colds are the most common causes of sinus problems. Both factors cause complications when mucus can’t flow freely through the nasal passages. Common symptoms associated with this condition include swelling, headaches, coughing, and congestion.
Using air purifiers doesn’t always trigger such symptoms. In other words, they don’t cause sinus problems.
If you’re using an air purifier and you still suffer from sinusitis, it could be from one of the following reasons:
- Wrong placement of purifier
- Not vacuuming your carpet regularly
- Dusty furniture
- Using a bad air purifier
- Using a small purifier in a large space
How Do I Get the Right Air Purifier for My Home?
The market is flooded with inexpensive air purifiers, and a true-HEPA filter might be expensive. Still, buying a good purifier is worth the investment.
Cheap air purifiers that advertise themselves as “HEPA-type” or “HEPA-like” are nothing more than marketing ploys. If you intend to capture 99 percent of airborne particles, air purifiers with HEPA filters are your best bet.
You should consider purchasing a HEPA air purifier with an activated carbon filter. This will give you a better night’s sleep by removing odors from your bedroom and making it easier to breathe.
Choose an air purifier for your bedroom based on its size. One that’s smaller may not be as potent as larger purifiers. Thus, check if the model you choose has adequate power to cover your room space before buying.
Tips for Using Air Purifiers in the Home
Though you’re using air purifiers, there are some tips you should know. These are:
- Avoid smoking in the house, as the smell of tobacco can linger for hours and disrupt your respiratory system as you sleep.
- Open your windows wide during the day to let in a lot of fresh air. Fresh air can do a lot of good to your body system. Besides, air purifiers work better in airy rooms.
- Consider investing in a humidifier if you have trouble breathing because you live in a dry, non-humid environment.
- Most instruction manuals state that air purifier filters should be replaced regularly.
- Air purifiers are not cleaners. They can’t help you wipe the dust from the corners of your house. Therefore, vacuum your space regularly to maintain a healthy environment.
Does Using Air Purifiers Cause Breathing Problems?
The use of an air purifier has been linked to respiratory issues in some people. Many might complain of a runny or swollen nose, a painful throat, and difficulty breathing.
This is frequently because certain air purifiers utilize ozone technology or emit ozone as a byproduct of their operation. Both ozone-generating air purifiers and electronic air purifiers fall into this category.
Asthma, coughing, a runny nose, and sore throat can all be triggered by ozone inhalation. In other cases, it might be a result of a flaw in your device.
If there are leaks, the efficiency of your purifier drops drastically. Therefore, always ensure that your device is working perfectly well.
Besides this, other factors like a dirty environment could contribute to breathing problems.
What Is the Side Effect of Air Purifiers?
Air purifiers are meant to help with air quality and health, not cause harm. Notwithstanding, some people suffer from some side effects.
Some examples of what people go through include:
- Aggravated asthma attacks
- Allergies
- Bronchi issues
- Nose bleeds
- Coughing
- Headaches
- Breathing difficulties
If your air purifier generates ozone gas, you may experience some of these adverse effects. However, this is dependent on your location, the climate, and the location of your air purifier.
How Can I Clear My Sinuses Naturally?
Air purifiers can help alleviate your symptoms, but other natural ways to go about it are:
Steam Inhalation
Steam inhalation can help to open up your nasal passages. Aside from this, it’s a simple remedy that you can do at your convenience in your home.
You have to boil water and pour it into a large bowl. Then lean over so that your face is right above the water. Breathe the steam in through your nostrils.
Acupressure
Traditional Chinese medicine relies heavily on acupressure. It entails applying pressure to particular places on the body to ease pain or illness symptoms. For instance, colds, flu, and sinus disorders have traditionally been treated using acupressure.
This remedy is one that you can do by yourself or employ the services of a professional.
Here’s how to relieve sinus strain using acupressure:
- Interlink your fingers and make a cup shape.
- With your hand, cradle the back of your head where the skull and the neck meet.
- Find the dips on both sides of your spine with your thumb.
- Massage the region in tiny circles. Ensure you don’t put too much pressure on the spot.
- Breathe slowly and deeply as you relax.
- Repeat the process four to five times.
Aside from this method, you can massage your sinus points every day. To do this, stand in front of a mirror, locate the points, and apply gentle pressure for a few minutes. You can use your thumb or a blunt object.
Saline Nasal Spray
Saline solution is one of the most effective options for opening a blocked nose. To make this solution, you’ll need sterile water, salt, and baking soda. Once you have these, combine 1/4 pint of clean water, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and the same measurement of baking soda.
Pour this mixture into your palms and sniff it in. Alternatively, you could mix it in a dry, clean spray bottle. Then, insert the nozzle into one of the nostrils and spray. Repeat the process two to three times daily.
Hydration
Taking enough fluid is one of the essential steps to take whenever you feel unwell. If you’ve not made this a habit, then you should. Aside from being a health tip, it also helps with sinus problems.
Drinking adequate water keeps your sinuses wet and allows mucus to flow easily. Aside from water, you can try other fluids like fruit juice and herbal teas.
Warm Washcloth Compression
Heat application goes a long way to ensure the smooth passage of mucus. Plus, this method is straightforward and will only take you a few minutes to complete.
For this procedure, you’ll need a washcloth and hot water. Wring out the clean washcloth after running it under hot water. Fold it in half and place it across your nasal bridge and cheeks for a few minutes.
You can combine these home remedies with your air purifier. A combination of one of these natural solutions and a high-quality purifier will keep you healthier than before.