1. < COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Humidifier for bronchial attacks and COPD?

Posted by silverkat @silverkat, Dec 30, 2020

I have mild COPD and have had occasional bronchial attacks. I got a humidifier for Christmas, and I'm wondering of anyone else has used one to ease lung conditions and how effective it was. thanks.

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Erika | @erikas | Dec 31, 2020

@silverkat You have a mild form of COPD and you are looking to connect with members that have utilized a humidifier for their lung symptoms.

You will notice that I changed the title of your discussion/question. I did this so it would be easier for members like @merpreb @mrbill @waterboy @windwalker @fighter to connect and answer your question.

Below are a few resources that @johnbishop gathered for you to help answer your question.
- Lung Health Institute - Humidifiers for COPD During Winter: Keeping the Air at Home Clean: https://lunginstitute.com/blog/copd-humidifiers-winter-keeping-air-home-clean/
- COPD and Humidity: Tips to Help you Prepare: https://www.webmd.com/lung/copd-humidity
- Cleveland Clinic - How You Can Tell If You Need a Humidifier - Humidifiers improve breathing, reduce lung problems: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-you-can-tell-if-you-need-a-humidifier/

May I ask if you live in a dry climate or if it is dry where you are in the winter?

REPLY
3 replies
sistertwo | @sistertwo | Dec 31, 2020
In reply to @erikas "@silverkat You have a mild form of COPD and you are looking to connect with members..." + (show)
@erikas

@silverkat You have a mild form of COPD and you are looking to connect with members that have utilized a humidifier for their lung symptoms.

You will notice that I changed the title of your discussion/question. I did this so it would be easier for members like @merpreb @mrbill @waterboy @windwalker @fighter to connect and answer your question.

Below are a few resources that @johnbishop gathered for you to help answer your question.
- Lung Health Institute - Humidifiers for COPD During Winter: Keeping the Air at Home Clean: https://lunginstitute.com/blog/copd-humidifiers-winter-keeping-air-home-clean/
- COPD and Humidity: Tips to Help you Prepare: https://www.webmd.com/lung/copd-humidity
- Cleveland Clinic - How You Can Tell If You Need a Humidifier - Humidifiers improve breathing, reduce lung problems: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-you-can-tell-if-you-need-a-humidifier/

May I ask if you live in a dry climate or if it is dry where you are in the winter?

Jump to this post

We just got two new ultrasonic ones (for the great room and bedroom) and your articles are very helpful. Thank you!

REPLY
nla4625 | @nla4625 | Dec 31, 2020
In reply to @erikas "@silverkat You have a mild form of COPD and you are looking to connect with members..." + (show)
@erikas

@silverkat You have a mild form of COPD and you are looking to connect with members that have utilized a humidifier for their lung symptoms.

You will notice that I changed the title of your discussion/question. I did this so it would be easier for members like @merpreb @mrbill @waterboy @windwalker @fighter to connect and answer your question.

Below are a few resources that @johnbishop gathered for you to help answer your question.
- Lung Health Institute - Humidifiers for COPD During Winter: Keeping the Air at Home Clean: https://lunginstitute.com/blog/copd-humidifiers-winter-keeping-air-home-clean/
- COPD and Humidity: Tips to Help you Prepare: https://www.webmd.com/lung/copd-humidity
- Cleveland Clinic - How You Can Tell If You Need a Humidifier - Humidifiers improve breathing, reduce lung problems: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-you-can-tell-if-you-need-a-humidifier/

May I ask if you live in a dry climate or if it is dry where you are in the winter?

Jump to this post

This is great information, thanks. I'll be ordering a humidifier today to help deal with my newly diagnosed lung problem. Consumer Reports has an excellent report on humidifiers and how to chose the right one based on room size, type, maintenance needs, ease of operation, cost, etc. Reading it was really helpful to me to figure out what to buy from the myriad of options available. http://www.consumerreports.org.

REPLY
1 reply
silverkat | @silverkat | Dec 31, 2020
In reply to @erikas "@silverkat You have a mild form of COPD and you are looking to connect with members..." + (show)
@erikas

@silverkat You have a mild form of COPD and you are looking to connect with members that have utilized a humidifier for their lung symptoms.

You will notice that I changed the title of your discussion/question. I did this so it would be easier for members like @merpreb @mrbill @waterboy @windwalker @fighter to connect and answer your question.

Below are a few resources that @johnbishop gathered for you to help answer your question.
- Lung Health Institute - Humidifiers for COPD During Winter: Keeping the Air at Home Clean: https://lunginstitute.com/blog/copd-humidifiers-winter-keeping-air-home-clean/
- COPD and Humidity: Tips to Help you Prepare: https://www.webmd.com/lung/copd-humidity
- Cleveland Clinic - How You Can Tell If You Need a Humidifier - Humidifiers improve breathing, reduce lung problems: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-you-can-tell-if-you-need-a-humidifier/

May I ask if you live in a dry climate or if it is dry where you are in the winter?

Jump to this post

Virginia. I think it would be considered dry for the most part. thanks

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Mentor
Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Dec 31, 2020

@silverkat- Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I have mild COPD too. Did you pick out the humidifier yourself after researching them for COPD?
If you are going to use a humidifier I would ask your pulmonologist how much humidity you need, if indeed you do. I prefer air to be on the drier side, closer to 56%-60%. Breathing in humid air activates nerves in your lungs that narrow and tighten your airways. Humidity also makes the air stagnant enough to trap pollutants and allergens like pollen, dust, mold, dust mites, and smoke. If you also have asthma it can be a trigger. If you occasionally get bronchial spasms I would think that drier air would be better for you.

Why do you think that you need a humidifier? Has your breathing declined recently?

REPLY
Mentor
Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Dec 31, 2020
In reply to @nla4625 "This is great information, thanks. I'll be ordering a humidifier today to help deal with my..." + (show)
@nla4625

This is great information, thanks. I'll be ordering a humidifier today to help deal with my newly diagnosed lung problem. Consumer Reports has an excellent report on humidifiers and how to chose the right one based on room size, type, maintenance needs, ease of operation, cost, etc. Reading it was really helpful to me to figure out what to buy from the myriad of options available. http://www.consumerreports.org.

Jump to this post

@nla4625- Hi. Have you checked in with your pulmonologist to see if a humidifier is a good idea for you?

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1 reply
silverkat | @silverkat | Dec 31, 2020
In reply to @merpreb "@nla4625- Hi. Have you checked in with your pulmonologist to see if a humidifier is a..." + (show)
@merpreb

@nla4625- Hi. Have you checked in with your pulmonologist to see if a humidifier is a good idea for you?

Jump to this post

No, i don't have one. But thanks for the info.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Dec 31, 2020
In reply to @silverkat "No, i don't have one. But thanks for the info." + (show)
@silverkat

No, i don't have one. But thanks for the info.

Jump to this post

@silverkat- Why do you think that a humidifier will help your breathing?

REPLY
nla4625 | @nla4625 | Dec 31, 2020

This is a good thought, thanks -- I didn't. According to a breathing test I took, my lungs are operating normally, despite my paralyzed diaphragm. It's kind of perplexing, frankly; but I think other organs floating up into my chest cavity due to the fact my paralyzed diaphragm is floating and not holding them back is reducing my lung capacity, leading to shortness of breath. That's the conclusion I've reached, which could be totally wrong. My skin is pretty dry, so a humidifier well help that, if not my lungs. Additionally, I've noticed I really breath well before I fall asleep with my CPAP machine, which gives off water vapor. I think I'm going to ask for a video conference with a pulmonologist at Mayo for a second opinion on my condition. I don't know if you can recommend specific doctors on MayoConnect; but if you or others can, I would really appreciate getting a suggestion for a pulmonologist at Mayo. They have decades of my medical records so are quite familiar with my body. Thanks for the countless hours you put in helping people on MayoConnect! Best wishes for a happy healthy new year. Nancy

REPLY
1 reply
nla4625 | @nla4625 | Dec 31, 2020
In reply to @nla4625 "This is a good thought, thanks -- I didn't. According to a breathing test I took,..." + (show)
@nla4625

This is a good thought, thanks -- I didn't. According to a breathing test I took, my lungs are operating normally, despite my paralyzed diaphragm. It's kind of perplexing, frankly; but I think other organs floating up into my chest cavity due to the fact my paralyzed diaphragm is floating and not holding them back is reducing my lung capacity, leading to shortness of breath. That's the conclusion I've reached, which could be totally wrong. My skin is pretty dry, so a humidifier well help that, if not my lungs. Additionally, I've noticed I really breath well before I fall asleep with my CPAP machine, which gives off water vapor. I think I'm going to ask for a video conference with a pulmonologist at Mayo for a second opinion on my condition. I don't know if you can recommend specific doctors on MayoConnect; but if you or others can, I would really appreciate getting a suggestion for a pulmonologist at Mayo. They have decades of my medical records so are quite familiar with my body. Thanks for the countless hours you put in helping people on MayoConnect! Best wishes for a happy healthy new year. Nancy

Jump to this post

This note was for @merpreb - is there a way to edit a post once it's been made? Thanks. Nancy nla4625

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