If in recent years, “air quality has generally improved over the period 2000-2022” according to the Ministry of Ecological Transition, in particular thanks to “the decline in emissions, which began several years ago”, respiratory diseases such as asthma (world day of which takes place on Tuesday May 7, 2024), have not started to decline. However, they are partly linked to the environment in which the French live and indeed affect a very large number of people in the territory.
According to the Health Insurance website, “Asthma affects around 4 million people in France”and is, moreover “responsible each year for nearly 60,000 hospitalizations (38,000 among asthmatics over 15 years old) and almost 1,000 deaths“. A disease not to be taken lightly, and which can be recognized by its symptoms. They may appear or disappear depending on the period, may resemble coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath, or may appear similar to chest tightness. In such cases, it is then important to consult a healthcare professional.
The two rooms in the house to watch out for to avoid asthma
Asthma tends to be triggered by too long exposure to certain elements present in the environment. This is the case for mold or humidity, or even certain allergens, such as dust mites. Passive smoking, air pollution, and viral lung infections may also play a role in the development of this disease. For this reason, certain rooms must be closely monitored, even more so when an asthmatic child spends their daily life there. This is the case for places like the bedroom or living room, which are living spaces, and which can quickly, if poorly maintained, become hell for sick people.
For the bedroom, for example, the best thing to do is to avoid carpet (it’s a real nest for dust mites) and to favor a smooth floor like parquet. As for bedding, it is best to use washable synthetic materials, both for pillows and blankets: this will allow the asthmatic person to sleep peacefully. However, avoid any type of wool blankets and feather pillows, which will have the opposite effect. Like the bedroom, the living room is also a room that is important to pay attention to. Instead, prefer leather or skai sofas, and avoid using your fireplace as much as possible, which will most certainly be the cause of an asthma attack (the fault of nitrogen dioxide emissions).
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What is the main cause of asthma?
And if it seems obvious to some that cellars and attics should not be rooms in which asthmatics must go, under penalty of a serious attack, the thing is less obvious for places in the house such as the garage or The bathroom. If it communicates with your home in particular, it is strongly recommended not to leave your vehicle running inside: pollution could enter the living rooms and make them unlivable for the person in your household who is asthmatic.
Also avoid, as much as you can, storing toxic or weedkilling products, which are also very allergenic. When it comes to the bathroom, it’s not pollution that needs to be monitored, but humidity. This is the main cause of asthma. Certain molds can in fact develop there, and become the cause of asthma attacks.
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What helps asthma?
To avoid asthma attacks and calm this debilitating respiratory disease, it is important to vacuum up dust very regularly. Mattresses, armchairs, furniture… Nothing should be left behind. Avoid excessively high temperatures, and try to reduce humidity as much as possible in the bathroom.
Do not hesitate to air the room every day, with the bed open, to favor a slatted base, but also to cover with special covers for the blankets and pillows. Finally, do not hesitate to equip yourself with anti-mite products, available in pharmacies.
