Air Purifiers - do they help bronchiectasis? Does anyone use one? I am thinking of getting one to help with bronchiectasis. Please help.

[stillmovin]

Hi there, I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis two years ago, along with Acid Reflux Disease (I already have epilepsy and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome!!!!) Anyway, I have seen ads for DeLonghi Air Purifiers which supposedly wipe out indoor air pollution, dust allergies, mould allergies, etc. but they are very pricey. Does anyone on this forum use one indoors and if so, do they help with symptoms of COPD? I wake up each morning with a tight chest, coughs, as well as all the other unpleasant symptoms of bronchiectasis and I live in a heavily polluted area, so I am desperate to breathe clean air! And get a good night's sleep.

[Toci]

This was discussed recently and the following was said:

Jo_BLFHelpline BLF 23 Apr 2013

"Unfortunately there is no research on the benefits of using products like air purifiers, so buying a product like this can be difficult as there are so many different ones out there. Certainly having pets in the home can cause problems if the person has an allergy to pet hair and it triggers breathing problems."

Though some do say it helps. Maybe it is a 'suck it and see' issue?

[stillmovin in reply to Toci]

Thanks Toci - it is always the case! For example, I bought a saltpipe a while back that I had read rave testamonials about on the internet and I have never had any benefit from it! However the air purifier is a bigger step financially so I am being very wary at the moment - although it sounds like a great idea.

[stone-UK]

Hi

I use two, HoMedics, tower for lounge , and a smaller one for the bedroom . Argos !

I use them because I can not stand air fresheners COPD

The air is cleaner without using any third party products.

Which must be good?

[stillmovin in reply to stone-UK]

Thanks for your reply, stone. There isn't a lot of info about them and I don't want to (and can't afford to) pay for something which doesn't help. I am mainly worried about dust and mould 'things' floating about in my bedroom and lounge especially when I have to keep the windows shut in the cold weather. Your reply gave me a bit of hope, so I appreciate that. Do you feel that they have helped you since you got them?

[Liefteyvrefe7 in reply to stillmovin]

The important thing is to get rid of as much dust yourself, used damp cloth on surfaces , change pillows frequently and let fresh air in the room

[stillmovin in reply to Liefteyvrefe7]

Thanks for this input. My general problem had a lot to do with living next to a heavily polluted main road. X

[stone-UK]

Hi

Yes by their very nature they remove a lot of the nasties that cause us problems, dust mites and the like, as they also remove smells there is no need for third party products.

Much is dependant on you own concerns, some people do not have the same issues.

[stillmovin]

Thanks a lot for the help. I will check out Argos to see what I can find. I'll post feedback on this forum later if I find anything to help.

[Toci in reply to stillmovin]

It's a lot to read but may help - (safe site)

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_p...

[stillmovin in reply to Toci]

Toci thanks a lot it has a good deal of info, which is a big help right now.

[Hidden]

I did a lot of research way back and would now only consider airfree, but that is just me. Read about it here:

breathingspace.co.uk/depart...

From another angle be aware of breathing ionizer dangers:

livestrong.com/article/1084...

[Tamara70 in reply to Hidden]

Hi BlakeyC

I always enjoy reading your posts as they are always so informative. Keep it up!

I was interested to read about what you said about Airfree air purifiers and Myairzone ioniser.

I did not quite understand when you said you took the the Airfree with you to doctor's surgery etc. how does it work away for home?

May I ask you also which models you would recommend? It is good to get a recommendation on products before buying them.

Many thanks, stay well.

Tamara

[Hidden in reply to Tamara70]

I've taken the information about my airzone down as I noticed its not being manufactured any more. A pity as I thought it was the only personal air purifier that was safe (I still do). Other personal air purifiers produce ozone (not advised). my airzone didn't.

I never purchased the airfree, that works on mains only. All details about it on the breathing space link above. I would consider any of the airfree air purifiers myself. I live in a relative clean air zone so I don't really need one at home. I think if I lived in a high pollution area, I would definitely purchase an airfree. But as I said before, this is just my own personal opinion based on the research I did a good few years back.

[Tamara70 in reply to Hidden]

I see that the Airzone Personal purifier has been replaced by the Minimate AS 1500 MM Ionic Personal Air Purifier from livingpure.co.uk.

May I ask your opinion on this? I know absolutely nothing about personal air purifiers and would be grateful if you could have a look at it and let me know what you think as you would know what to look for.

I pick up infections very easily and I am willing to give anything a try if it would help. I have a trip to Australia planned for January and am keeping my fingers crossed that I shall be free of infections so that I can go.

Many thanks, stay well

Tamara

[stillmovin in reply to Tamara70]

Tamara is your question for BlakeyC or for me? I think I will have to pass you to BlakeyC as I haven't a clue, I am looking into which one to buy myself at the moment. I am considering Homedic at the moment. I hope all goes well for your trip to Australia. Take care.

[Tamara70 in reply to stillmovin]

Hi still moving

Yes, my question was for BlakeyC.

It seems we are both in the dark regarding air purifiers.

Good luck with your search and stay well.

Tamara

[Hidden in reply to Tamara70]

It produces ozone, I would be cautious about that. That design was around when I purchased My airzone but the model may have been updated since then. Note the holes are large enough to harbour dust!

Hope you can manage to stay infection free when you fly.

[Tamara70 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you very much BlakeyC for taking time and effort to help me regarding the Minimate. Looks like I shall not be purchasing this one.

Stay well

Tamara

[knitter]

Hi I have a small Bionaire air purifier which i use in the bedroom in the evening, but I don't know if it makes a difference or not...sorry!

I have at least 4 pillows with antidust mite covers and i have the same covers on my duvet and mattress.

I also take Gaviscon before I lie down, but you would have to check with your gp if this was safe for you....Can't take it at the same time as steroid tablets for example

A week or two ago someone sent a post about humidifiers or putting down bowls of water near radiators to moisten the air

I have also been taking Manuka honey...but again check with your gp.

There is an Allergy UK website, Amazon may have reviews on air purifiers.

Hope I have not confused you even more!

[stillmovin in reply to knitter]

knitter thanks a lot for the tips. I am pleased with so many ideas from everyone - I hope they all keep coming! This is the first time I have been on this forum. I still have a bit of research to do on the air purifiers - I read that HEPA filter ones are the best - I am also looking into dehumidifiers, as my small flat gets a lot of condensation. As for Gaviscon for the acid reflux problem, I have tried that but it didn't help. I take Omeprazole at night. Will get back on that. Thanks for help.

[mustcarryon]

I have bronchiectasis, all through summer I had a nasty chest infection that wouldn't go away. I bought a homemedic air purifier, it was the best thing I've ever done. It really helped to clear the air and helped my breathing. If I could afford it i'd have one in every room. The one I've got is portable so I can move it to whichever room i'm in. Great stuff.

[stillmovin in reply to mustcarryon]

Thanks mustcarryon - that's the second recommendation on this post for Homedic air purifiers - that's a good sign. It seems there are a lot out there but I am starting to pick up some good tips. I was surprised at the price of these things but I suppose they are very much worth it if you get the right one. Thanks again.

[mustcarryon in reply to stillmovin]

Argos is your best bet for Homedics. You can get a Argos card, then you will have 6 months to pay without any interest.

[stillmovin in reply to mustcarryon]

Thanks mustcarryon. I am looking at the Argos catalogue now, it has a lot. Are they too big to get home on the bus, I don't drive! Daft question I know.

[mustcarryon in reply to stillmovin]

Hia It all depends, I've got a tower, that's too big for the bus, however, I've also got a smaller one that would be no problem for the bus. They are in a box which makes it easier to carry. There is always home delivery, sometimes they do that or free, it's worth asking. You can always go online and check, plus you can reserve one at your nearest store.

[Offcut]

A cheap alternative may be an negative ion machine which disgorge negative ions in the air giving you the affect of clear air after a thunder storm. It is a very good idea to put them on a wipe clean area because they draw in the muck were they are. Link from mail below.

dailymail.co.uk/health/arti...

[stillmovin in reply to Offcut]

Thanks for the info Offcut, its all helpful. I read somewhere that ionisers weren't good in the air, that's holding me back on this one.

[Offcut in reply to stillmovin]

I think if you put your mouth around it for a bit it will do some harm they have been around for a good 20 years or so

[Hidden in reply to Offcut]

LOL, that did plop a funny picture into my mind Negative ion machines may not be the best for damaged lung folk, check the livestrong article link above.

[Offcut in reply to Hidden]

"Some ionizers produce ozone" I agree Ozone is not good for you and if you place a small one on a wipe clean surface it will get dirty as it draws down the Positive particles "may simply find a suitable surface on which to land within your own respiratory system" but they do not seem conclusive. It is like saying standing in front of a car is dangerous. this is only if the car is moving in your direction.

I do see that it may now not be the best option but I would say it was a biased article.

[Hidden]

this is a better link about the airfree:

airfree.com/en-GB/Home-Page...

it shows videos etc.

[stillmovin in reply to Hidden]

Thanks a lot BlakeyC - I sure am getting a good deal of info on this site! I am pulled between a dehumidifier and an air purifier - I feel the latter is a better bet if it removes mould things from the air too, but my flat has a lot of condensation and I think a dehumidifier will only do half of what I want to happen! If you see what I mean...

[Hidden in reply to stillmovin]

I think if you have a lot of condensation the dehumidifier will help you a lot, maybe someone can get one for you for Christmas and you can get the other as a gift to yourself

The airfree won't take any moisture out of the air though.

[stillmovin in reply to Hidden]

Do you think the two things would work well together in a room? I haven't an idea really! I wonder would the two be adjusting the room atmosphere too much? Just a niggling concern (I am full of them!)

[Hidden in reply to stillmovin]

Possibly, you could contact airfree and ask them. I don't see why not as long as they are not next to each other. Perhaps run in separate rooms, day time then swap them over night time.

Personally I think I would dehumidify first then purify.

I don't run my dehumidifier 24/7. Just through the day for a few hours when humidity is rising. At the moment air in bedroom is 60% so I am running it now. in a few hours I will switch off. And if need be I will run it again from meal time to bed time. I don't run the dehumidifier through the night usually unless humidity is 64% or above).

The dehumidifier I use is small, fairly quiet and can extract about 250 ml in 2 days (that's based on using it for a 3-5 hours through the day and around 4 - 5 hours of an evening. Its small enough to go on the bedside table if you wished. It empties through a rubber stopper which you unplug and replug after emptying, I use the water for thirsty plants.

The airfree air purifier is also small and easily carried from room to room, it doesn't use filters so there is no after expense.

Size, weight details for both products are on the web pages (airfree link above). The dehumidifier I use is this one:

argos.co.uk/static/Product/...

Hope this is of help to you.

PS I find the dehumidifier helps lungs and breathing during damp weather and high humidity.

[Offcut in reply to stillmovin]

My old house had condensation problems and a dehumidifier was a real blessing and made a great difference to our house.

[happyfeet59]

My sons room in his student accommodation last year was very damp and humid (repair work needing done). We bought him a dehumidifier and it worked very well drawing the moisture out if the air. He had a machine which monitored the humidity so that he knew when to put it on.

I think the airfree would take dust etc out of the air but not water so the two are different.

[stillmovin in reply to happyfeet59]

Thanks happyfeet59, I am looking into getting both an air purifier & a dehumidifier now. I think due to the high pollution of my area, plus the condensation in my flat, I may actually need both. however, I am concerned that I would be applying too much 'adjustment' to the atmosphere in my home with both machines and that it all may go against my breathing. Do you see what I mean? I am wondering now does anyone use both & if it's ok for them.

[stillmovin]

I have gone ahead and ordered from Argos an air purifier (the one before the tower size) and a dehumidifier (De Longhi 10 ltrs). Big purchase for me but I have a good bit of info thanks from all of you (thanks to Stone and Mustcarryon for the Homedics info, I ordered one of those) and BlakeyC, your info was invaluable and helped me decide to get a dehumidifier as well. I won't get my gadgets until next Wednesday so I shall let you all know if I think they are making any difference. I don't think I would have been able to decide what I was going to get if it wasn't for the great information everyone on this forum provided.

[Hidden]

I've been looking at these, and wondering whether to get one or not. We don't have problems with damp or condensation, but I have Bronchiectasis (although a bronchoscopy has relieved some of my problems somewhat). I also have Sjogren's Syndrome, which dries me up inside and out. so not sure whether a dehumidifier would be any good for me.

[stillmovin in reply to Hidden]

hi poemsgalore I don't think I would get a dehumidifier if I didn't have a condensation problem in my flat, I wouldn't tamper with the air at all in that case. I am getting an air purifier as I live right next to a heavy traffic road (lorries, etc) and spend a lot of time indoors too, so I have a feeling the pollution as well as mould spores from the condensation aggravates my lungs. I just want to feel that I am breathing clean air. If I lived in a 'normal' environment, I wouldn't get any of this stuff at all, unless I had pets or asthma. Maybe your GP or the BLF helpline could advise on getting a humidifier rather than a dehumidifier. I am sorry I cannot say for sure.

[happyfeet59]

Like you, I have bronchiectasis, and suspected sjorgens syndrome. I wouldn't use a dehumidifier unless I had serious damp/mould problems as they definitely dry the air. I think it could exacerbate your problems, particulary the sjorgens. I don't know anything about air purifiers and whether they work. As stillmovin1 says, you would probably only need this if you live in a very dusty/poluted area and suffered from asthma. Normally an open window and fresh air circulating your home for a few hours a day would be sufficient to keep your room air fresh.

[freefaller]

I have found this discussion very interesting. We live in an old house - infact in a previous life this house was a barn and our lounge was the pigsty. I was born in an old house and we always had condensation problems so always had windows open to clear the air. Up until last year this is what we did at home too to clear condensation from the kitchen diner and bathroom. After a shower we would turn the heating off in the bathroom open the window and shut the door on it until it was clear of condensation - same in the kitchen after eating our meal. However, we were a bit fed up with doing this as it did mean the temperature in the rest of the house went down with the windows open and we are starting to feel the cold - well my other half is! So, last year we bought a cheap de humidifier from Aldi. It was so small it wouldn't do much in our kitchen unless left on all night but it did work in the end. this now sits in the bedroom and we bought an Ecoair dehumidifier for the rest of the house. This is big enough to work in a 3 bedroomed house so they say and I would say that is correct. It clears our kitchen diner within 2 hours. It also has an ioniser but after reading the above I will not use that part again. Because the cold and damp was taken out of the air I believe our home felt warmer and I definitely felt a lot better. I am now considering buying an air purifier and think I am sold on the Homedics. Though I am going to look up the airfree ones as well. Generally they have a good write up on Amazon. Have not looked at the Argos Catalogue yet to see if they are cheaper there - we have 3 Argos outlets near here so it could mean I could pick one up later today if they still have them. Thanks for the discussion I hope you are all having success with your dehumidifiers and air purifiers.

Sian

[stillmovin]

Hi freefaller, meant to get back to you sooner but am avoiding sitting at the PC for a while - I have lost so much weight I have now bruising on my bum-bones! Yes, it is true! Painful! Anyway - I digress! I am getting on ok with my Homedics air purifier (Argos) and De Longhi DEM10 Dehumidifier (Argos). The latter is brilliant for when I have clothes up indoors drying on a rack. It is also good for when I take a shower. I don't use it every day as it would dry your skin out and mine is already very dry. I try to drink as much water as possible when indoors. The air purifier I use mainly in the summer months when there seems to be more traffic outside and more dust in the air. You have to remember to dust off the filter every few months as that can be easily forgotten. As for the effects on my bronchiectasis and COPD I cannot say yet. I am sure they help but the disease will follow its own path differently for each of us and we have to just do what we can to give ourselves what we think is the best way of managing it. I am glad I purchased them and I think in my own case they are a help. Best wishes. stillmovin1xx

[sufferer2]

Hi there, I have just posted a report on my usage of a Dehumidifier which removes bacteria/dust/mould from the air as well as excess moisture. I have copied and pasted it for you below - I think you will find that it makes very interesting reading. Good luck.

I was diagnosed with COPD in the summer of 2013 having suffered with constant coughing both day and night for about 6 months prior.

I was unable to lie down in bed to sleep and had to sit upright propped-up with pillows so that I could at least get a little relief.

Even so I was lucky if I could get more than a couple of hours sleep a night.

Having been issued with a Spiriva powder inhaler and a Ventolin Evohaler, after attending a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme at my local hospital and being given advice on how best to manage the condition I had to get on with the rest of my life as best as I could.

Despite taking the prescribed medications as directed they gave me little relief and each day became more of a struggle to combat the illness.

Then at the beginning of December 2015, with my condition rapidly deteriorating, I began to search the Web in earnest to try and find some answers to my problems.

To cut a long story short something steered me in the direction of purchasing a Home Dehumidifier with a built in charcoal filter and ioniser.

Living in the UK, as I do, we can get very high levels of moisture in our homes due to the excessive amounts of rain that we get.

This can basically fill the lungs with water from the atmosphere and I was coughing up excessive amounts of watery phlegm on an hourly basis.

The humidity level inside your home should be in the range of 40 – 65 (on a scale of 100) and, having purchased a cheap gauge costing about £3.00, I found that the levels in my home were reading a massive 85.

So I went online and purchased a dehumidifier costing £120.00 and which could remove about 10-12 litres of water a day from the air in your home.

It arrived about a week before Christmas and when I set it running it was giving a reading around 85 and, running it for just 12 hours a day, it was removing 2-3 litres of water from the atmosphere on a daily basis and the humidity level reading was gradually getting lower.

After 4 weeks of use the humidity level is now down to between 45 & 50 and the level of water that it is removing is getting less and less everyday.

My home was not showing any signs of having these high levels (such as mould on walls & ceilings, windows running with damp etc.) but I still had very high levels just the same.

My condition has improved in leaps and bounds over those 4 – 5 weeks and I now find that I am no longer coughing day and night, in fact I hardly cough at all now, and I no longer need to use the Ventolin Evohaler.

I am able to sleep at night now and my mental health, (I was getting very depressed and may I also say verging on suicidal?), is also starting to improve as my health gets better.

So the question is did I have or not have COPD? I don't really know, but I do know that my health has started to improve now (although I feel that some damage has been caused to my lungs because of all the years of coughing) and I am looking forward to a healthier life.

The doctors didn't seem to be able to help me – the answer to my problems was the dehumidifier and, although it might not be the answer for everyone, it could possibly be the answer for you too.

So, in conclusion, I offer this advice to those suffering with this dreadful condition.

(1) - Go online and get yourself a cheap Humidity Gauge for around £3.00.

(2) – Use it throughout the home for a week and see what readings you're getting.

(3) – If you find that you are getting high readings get yourself a dehumidifier.

(4) – The £120.00 that I paid for it was the best money I have ever spent in my life.

I CAN'T GUARANTEE IT BUT IT WORKED FOR ME – IT COULD ALSO WORK FOR YOU

[wizardkid]

Dyson purifier fans. Purification year-round. Purifying fan when you need it.

Automatically removes 99.95% of allergens and pollutants from the air.¹