Many of us associate humidifiers with sickness. Feeling the beginnings of a cold, a cough, or the flu? You instinctively take out your humidifier, quickly clean it, and place it next to your bed. Then you just hope for the best. However, experts say that neither steam nor cool-mist humidifiers are recommended in the management of a cold or a cough specifically, according to Dr. Arfa Babaknia, a family medicine doctor and medical director of MemorialCare Medical Group in Fountain Valley, California.
The Benefits Of Using A Humidifier (Photo: hausfolk)
Things That You Need To Know About the Benefits Of Using A Humidifier
According to Dr. Babaknia, “There is a lack of evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of the cold or steam humidifier and also concerns about the proper way of use (complications such as the risk of burn and, if the patient has asthma, developing bronchospasm)”.
That is not to say that you should throw yours away. In fact, there are many benefits of using a humidifier. A range of health and cosmetic problems that are giving you a lot of pain can be soothed and made easier by sleeping with one.
One of the benefits of using a humidifier for patients with a dry cough and in particular, those who have sleep apnea, loud snoring, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), sinusitis, or allergic rhinitis, Babaknia advises using a humidifier to help loosen up phlegm. He continues, saying that having a humidifier in the room while you sleep is particularly beneficial for people who have dry nasal passages, which are typically brought on by hay fever or a side effect of a medicine.
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Despite The Benefits Of Using A Humidifier, There Are Certain Drawbacks As Well
However, despite the benefits of using a humidifier, both warm and cool mist humidifiers have certain drawbacks as well. To prevent accidents like spilling hot water created by a warm-mist humidifier in a child’s or baby’s room, it may be preferable to choose cool mist instead. On the other hand, a cool-mist humidifier can disperse mineral buildup, mold, and germs more quickly than a warm-mist humidifier and may make your room seem a little too chilly.
Bottom line: Regardless of the humidifier you choose, it’s necessary to clean it frequently and, if feasible, replace it with distilled or purified bottled water to avoid the buildup of mineral content. It may not cure your cough or cold, but a humidifier can relieve the symptoms that are keeping you up at night so you can rest better.
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