Total Body - Michiana's Health & Lifestyle Magazine

Breathe Easy by Janet Baltosser

Maintaining healthy home air through the winter.

Experiencing nasal congestion, sneezing, or red itchy eyes? These are all signs of winter allergies from being cooped up inside our homes.

The air we breathe has a direct correlation to our health; therefore, making our home free of contaminates is of the utmost importance.

"... the EPA rank(s) indoor air pollution as one of the top five environmental risks to public health, and the National Academy of Sciences estimat(es) that it costs the U.S. between $15 and $100 billion in annual health care expenses." (Gaiam, a Lifestyles Company, www.gaiam.com).

What can we do to breathe easier? Eliminate dust mites and mold spores.

Dr. Byra Reddy, M.D. from the Asthma Allergy Care Center in South Bend has these recommendations:

Change furnace filters regularly.

Add air purifiers &/or filtration systems. Being conscious of capacity readings.

Open a window every day for a few minutes to allow fresh air inside.

Minimize dust.

Wash bedding, throws, and pillows two times a week in hot water.

Get rid of stuffed animals or else wash once a week in hot water.

Keep inside air dry.

Dr. Reddy also suggests that people with bothersome breathing conditions get pro-active in changing their home environment. "Ripping out carpeting and replacing with hardwood floors is imperative. Removing drapes altogether or installing washable ones, along with covering mattresses and pillows with specially made plastic, air tight coverings (a cotton blend washable covering attached over the plastic) is very helpful."

Phyllis Panozzo of Niles, Michigan, has eleven years of personal experience fighting severe allergies. In order to better her health, she has become very aggressive in sterilizing her environment. She adds to Dr. Reddy's list:

Beware of extremes. Going from warm air to cold air constricts the bronchial tubes.
Vacuum out heating ducts. If done professionally, insist on keeping it chemically free without sealers.
Never store firewood inside.
Keep pets out of your bedroom.
Have your furnace checked annually.

Panozzo has discovered, through the process of elimination, additional allergen triggers. She keeps her home sterile by using only non-synthetic cleaners. "I use nothing derived from petroleum products." She never uses a product containing fragrance and is careful about what she puts next to or on her skin. "No synthetic fabrics and nothing but natural cosmetics, lotions, and shampoos."

"My electrostatic filter for my furnace has been a great asset," Phyllis adds. "It is reusable, I wash it on a regular basis, air dry it and put it back in. It catches more dust than disposable filters and is more efficient."

Unless your case is severe, you can tame your winter allergies and say good-bye to eye drops, throat lozenges, antihistamines and nasal sprays. Breathe the cleanest air possible and enjoy the winter.