air cleaner

What is an air cleaner? What does it do? Where do you get one? I was wondering if it would help me. I am tired of being in the hospital with major attacks nobody knows what is causing. Thanks:)

Ceebee,
I have raised two kids with asthma to adulthood and learned a lot from my children's doctor. He had some good rules for the kids feeling better.

~Get rid of the carpeting or at least get it steam cleaned every four months
~Get rid of the dogs and cats or bathe them weekly. Alternatively, confine the dogs to one part of the home so there is a dog-free area for the person with allergies.
~Use washable curtains and drapes and take them to the laundromat at least every 6 months
~Get rid of the houseplants
~Get vinyl or leather furniture (doesn't hold dust mites)
~Use air conditioning if possible to prevent introducing pollen & molds into the home in hot weather
~Never hang clothes on the line to dry. They simply catch all the pollen in the air and then you fold it up and bring it into the house. Sheets and pillowcases are the worst offenders.
~Wash your hair before bed to remove the day's allergens and give you less hassle while you sleep
~Get a hepa filtration vacuum cleaner
~Get a hepa air filter for your bedroom or perhaps a whole house filtration system. If this is prescribed by your doctor it may be deductible as a medical expense.
~Filters that are washable are often the least expensive in the long run to use.

He also recommended that the kids start their anti-allergy meds a bit before the season to prevent the body from going into overdrive at the first hint of pollens and molds. He believed it was easier to prevent the reaction than to try to tamp it down once it's full blown. Hope this helps.

My grown children both still have mild asthma but it only surfaces when they have bad colds. They have a wonderful uncle for inspiration. He was born in 1953 and was diagnosed with asthmatic emphysema when he was four years old, with a prognosis of maybe living 10 years. It just so happened that the president of the academy of allergy specialists worked in his home town and the man really knew his stuff! He pushed to the edge on meds and treatments and their uncle grew up to become a tennis pro (!) in the summer and a ski instructor in the winter. In the fall he guides bicycle tours in Vermont... In the spring he just takes care of his equipment (LOL!) This same doctor treated both of my children and he was always so positive that I became that way.

Asthma is still a problem for so many people and for some of them making some simple changes in their environment could make all the difference. Education is always the key to helping children and adults with breathing problems.

Ceebee,
My one daughter is allergic to most everything! You may want to be tested for:

~tree allergies (cinnamon, nutmeg, maple syrup, nuts)
~bulb allergies (garlic, onions and Easter Lilies!)
~grass allergies (ragweed, hay fever, celery)
~molds (beer, most antibiotics, bread, wine, raisins, aged cheeses)
~commercial beef and chicken (animals are given antibiotics to keep them healthy)
~dust mites (washing linens in hot water and drying in a dryer helps this)
~insect droppings (many older homes have some evidence of insect invasion and the droppings can cause problems)
~aloe (and the darned stuff is in everything from lotion to shampoo!)
~Latex - she had to have her airbags in her car disconnected. A minor accident could kill her from the latex dust.

I can't think of any more just yet but I'll write more when I have time.

Hi Ceebee,
My family has allergies/and chemical sensitivities. We use the IQ air which has great ratings and helps remove both chemical and environmental allergens. We have two machines in the house, they are expensive but have helped us immensely. http://www.iqair.us/
Sincerely,
HolisticRN