Many people instinctively plug in humidifiers to soothe and cure coughs. That may lead you to wonder if science agrees. So what does a humidifier do for a cough? Find out below.
Reason for Using Humidifiers for Respiratory Conditions
So, what does a humidifier do for a cough? Expert opinions vary on how exactly humidifiers ease coughs and cold symptoms. It is well known that dry air isn’t good for coughing. Inhaling dry air may cause or worsen coughing. By adding moisture to your home’s air, a humidifier can help relieve dry coughing during sleep.
Pediatricians often recommend using a humidifier at night to help children with an upper respiratory infection, which causes difficulty breathing, nasal congestion, and coughing that tend to worsen at night. While you may find a warm-mist humidifier to be the most soothing, it is safer to choose cool-mist humidifiers for kids to prevent them from sustaining burns if they get too close to the hot steam.
Dry air makes mucus more difficult to cough up or blow out. Humidifiers help moisturize your lung, throat, and nasal passages. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) suggests that by helping loosen mucus, a cool-mist humidifier can soothe coughs.
Humidification can help relieve coughs linked to bronchitis. However, it’s not recommended for people with asthma-related coughs.
Tips for Using a Humidifier Effectively
For you to use a humidifier effectively and get the expected benefits when it comes to what does a humidifier do for a cough, you’ll need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and the following tips:
- Use distilled water.
Avoid essential oils and vaporubs, as they can release chemicals that can irritate the respiratory tract. - Clean your humidifier regularly.
A humidifier that’s cleaned inappropriately can cause microbes to grow in the unit and be dispersed into your home’s air. Clean your unit thoroughly every one to three days, and replace the filter every week. - Monitor the humidity levels.
Your home’s humidity levels shouldn’t exceed 50% to avoid mold and condensation problems.
Be sure to use your humidifier properly to help you breathe easier indoors. For top-quality humidifiers or other indoor air-quality products in the Broken Arrow area, and to learn more about what does a humidifier do for a cough, get in touch with the trusted professionals at Air Assurance.