Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) refers to a serious lung disease that can make it difficult for a person to breathe, over a period of time. It is a long term lung disease that has been associated with smoking. This disease includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The most common causes of COPD are smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke, air pollution (smoke as well as dust) and chronic lung infections, to name a few. Several people wonder if the use of a humidifier will help the condition, or whether it would make the problem even worse. A lot depends on the patient as well as the medical history. A humidifier would help keep the air moist, especially when the air indoors gets too dry. During winters, the weather tends to be much drier, as compared to summer. Moreover, with the use of the heater, the air tends to lose more moisture. A humidifier adds moisture to the air, which helps patients by making it easier for them to cough up the phlegm.
However, the humidifier that is used should be a cool mist humidifier. Additionally, the water used in it should be changed on a regular basis, to make sure that the air remains clean. Another factor that should be kept in mind is that the filter, present in the humidifier has be to changed regularly; if this is not done, it could lead to contamination, which could worsen the COPD in your husband. However, if the humidifier is cleaned regularly and is used in the right way, the air that is humidified can help your husband by reducing nasal irritation, making it easier for your husband to breathe. Moreover, humidifiers are known to reduce the dust and static electricity in the air.
The best way to know if a humidifier helps your husband in any way or not is to ask him how he feels with one. Alternately, it is best to check with a doctor, who is aware of your husbands medical history, treatment and medications used, to determine if the use of a humidifier can help the condition or will eventually do more harm. However, even if your husband does feel comfortable with a humidifier, it is not advisable to use it for a long period of time, as that might create dependency on the humidifier. You could also see that your husband adds enough moisture to his system, by ensuring that he drinks a lot of water throughout the day.
answered by M W