Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Seniors face risks of asthma

Asthma in seniors is a common concern
that is often forgotten, a study finds.
A new study shows that older adults with asthma often face major health problems that are often misdiagnosed or under-treated.

People over 65 that are hospitalized with asthma are 14 times more likely to die from asthma than younger adults. They are also at increased risk of impaired lung function and worse quality of life.

Researchers suggest that seniors are often misdiagnosed when it comes to asthma because the symptoms (shortness of breath, tightness in chest) are more likely to be attributed to being older, out of shape or the heart.

The study found that only 53% of older adults with asthma reported using a steroid inhaler in the month prior, which is used to control asthma.

A large percentage of the study participants with asthma also suffered from allergies to mold, animals and dust mites.

The findings were published in Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

Source: WebMD

Air purifiers for asthma and allergies

Anyone affected by asthma or allergies can benefit from breathing cleaner and healthier air, especially in their bedroom.

A portable air purifier with HEPA and activated carbon as well as optional UV germicidal filtration will provide the most complete filtration system to handle the widest range of contaminants.

The HEPA filter takes care of particles and dust, including pet dander, dust mites, mold spores and other biological particles. The activated carbon removes airborne chemicals, gases, fumes and odors, which often aggravate asthma and allergy reactions (or cause them in the first place). The UV lamp helps neutralize contaminants such as bacteria, viruses and mold.

Contact AllerAir for more information and a personalized recommendation.