Allergies are a common problem for many people, especially when the weather starts to warm up.  Many people do not know that allergens like pollen and dust mites can follow you inside your home.  The Environmental Protection Agency has found that indoor pollutant levels can be much higher than outdoor levels.  This is a big problem for people who are sensitive to these allergens.  An air purifier can help with that.  Air purifiers work by using different methods to clean the air in your home.  The most effective type of air purifier uses a HEPA filter.  This filter can remove at least 99. 97% of particles from the air.  HEPA filters are designed to trap smaller particles, making them more effective than standard filters.  When air is pulled through the filter, pollutants get trapped, and clean air is pushed out the other side.  This is thanks to the circulating fans in the air purifier.

        Air purifiers can help with more than just allergies.  They can also reduce the spread of airborne illnesses.  HEPA filters can trap viral particles associated with respiratory diseases.  Some air purifiers even contain a UV-C lamp to prevent bacteria or viral particles from reproducing.  This can help keep respiratory bugs from spreading through your house.  However, it's important to remember that no air purifier can stop the spread completely.

        Asthma and respiratory illnesses can also be helped by air purifiers.  These conditions can be made worse by allergens and toxins in the air.  Air purifiers can remove these irritants, making it easier to breathe.  This can improve quality of life for people with these conditions.  Long-term exposure to air pollution can have serious health impacts.  It can increase the risk of conditions like stroke, heart attack, hypertension, and heart failure.  Some research has found that filtering fine particles in the air and reducing indoor pollutants may improve blood pressure and heart rate.  Air purifiers may contribute to improved markers of heart health in those with COPD or other respiratory illnesses.

        Allergies and respiratory problems can worsen at night.  Symptoms like nasal congestion and coughing can make it difficult to stay asleep.  If you're exposed to allergens like pet dander or mold, your risk of having a nocturnal asthma attack increases.  Bad sleep quality isn't just an annoyance.  Long-term sleep deprivation is linked to conditions like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and high blood pressure.  Placing an air purifier in your bedroom can improve your sleep quality.  It can help you breathe easier and reduce the risk of waking up because of coughing fits.

        Smoke can come from several sources, like smoking, cooking, fireplaces, or natural disasters.  No matter the source, smoke is harmful to breathe in.  Research has shown that air purifiers with HEPA filters are effective at removing smoke particles from the air.  However, they won't help remove nicotine from tobacco smoke.  Wildfire smoke particles are generally smaller than 10 microns, so investing in an air purifier with a HEPA filter is best because they are efficient at clearing smoke.

        It's important to remember that air purifiers are just one part of keeping your home clean and healthy.  Once particles and allergens settle on surfaces, air purifiers cannot remove those in the home.  Air purifiers should be used as part of an all-encompassing plan that includes cleaning and sometimes medication.  Healthy living isn't as easy as setting up an air purifier and going about your day.  You need to do more than just use an air purifier.  You need to clean your home regularly and sometimes take medication to manage your allergies.

Breathe Easy: How Air Purifiers Can Improve Your Health

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