How do you sleep?
I have been adjusting my temperature in my house lately to see if a certain temperature is better for my asthma symptoms at night time. Right now with the way the humidity is and everything with the rain in springtime weather I haven't been using my humidifier and I run about 68°. A couple months ago when it was cold in northern Minnesota where I live I was running about 72 degrees to 75 degrees and seemed to sleep pretty good with the humidifier going as well. We turned it a little lower the other night about 63 and I noticed I felt more stuffed up almost like I was out in the cold. So I'm wondering has anybody found maybe running a humidifier at a certain temperature or maybe some other variation works well for them? I know it's kind of a general question an idea. I am trying to get some feedback to see what everybody else does to help them as we all know how important rest is for us being asthmatics. Thank you!
Hi Eric - this is a great topic and I like your experimenting, too!
As it turns out (and you may know this), the warmer the temperature, the more humidity the air can hold.
Having said that, if the absolute humidity level (meaning CONTENT of the water vapor in the atmosphere), remains the same, you may be more uncomfortable at a lower temperature because of the chillier air. Since the warmer air has a larger capacity to hold moisture, you may be doing yourself a great service by running the humidifier. Since the capacity of the warmer air has increased, it is holding more moisture and so, you may feel more comfortable at the warmer indoor temperature with a little more water vapor content (from the humidifier).
This concept is typically referred to as absolute humidity (the actually water vapor content in a given volume of gas), versus relative humidity (the actual water vapor content in a given volume of gas at a given temperature) compared to what it could hold at that temperature).
Do you think this might be the explanation you are looking for?
Leon (site moderator asthma.net)yes thank you! Although when its humid and hot I dont think I'm going to use my humidifier lol. I have been going by the weather channel and the humidity they are forecasting. I have found if it is getting below 60% humidity I like having the humidifier going. Now that makes sense with the temperature. Thanks again! Hi Eric, and thanks for your reply and further explanation. What you've stated here makes perfect sense. When the weather is hot (high temperature) and humid (high humidity), there would appear no need to add more moisture to the air. In fact, in those conditions, many folks with an asthma diagnosis become very uncomfortable and choose to use air conditioning to lower both the temperature and the humidity.
That may be what you find yourself doing as well.
All the best,
Leon (site moderator asthma.net)
Hi. As Leon said, this is a great topic idea. I do remember writing an article on this topic many years ago, although for the life of me I can't seem to find it anywhere. And I remember, from my studies, learning that an ideal humidity for asthmatics is between 30-50 mmHg. Higher than 50 makes the air sticky and hard to inhale and may therefore trigger asthma. Although, less than 30 the air gets too dry and irritates your airways and may trigger your asthma. So, in my house, now that I have central air and heating, I try to maintain a humidity around 50 percent. Before I had central air, I would run a humidifier in the dry winter months, and window A/C during the hot and humid summer months. Speaking of articles, I did find one by one of my fellow contributors that you may find helpful. I will post it below so you can check it out if you want. (https://asthma.net/living/humidity-trigger). Hope you find this helpful. John. asthma.net community moderator.
Hi John, and thanks for joining in the conversation here. I (also) thought I remember reading an article you had written about humidity. I did find one on our sister site, COPD.net. Is this the one you had in mind?: https://copd.net/living/humidity-trigger. Or, was it another one still?
Leon (site moderator asthma.net)thank you! I think that's about what I have my house at most Time Around 50.
Hi, I am most grateful for you bringing this topic up.
Humidity in the UK is generally quite high but this year it's been off the scale! We have experienced unusually high temperatures - low to mid 30⁰'s, at least 10⁰'s higher than normal summer temps. Humidity has hovered around 89 - 98%
I was OK until I had Covid in July which kicked off an asthma attack.
I did a lot of research about humidity and asthma and boy did it open my eyes! Anything over 66% and I'm struggling. Once it's around the 50 - 60% I'm much more comfortable.
I found that being near the sea really helps, even if it's just sitting at a beach, but actually being in the sea helps so much that I can actually swim lengths of the bay without becoming unnecessarily breathless, as I would do if doing any excerise inland. I also have a salt lamp at home. Not as good, but helping a bit.
I did consider buying an A/C unit, but we are not guaranteed hot Summers here and wondered if it's worth the outlay. Very few homes have built in A/C here too. A decent unit here costs anything between £70 - 400.
Best wishes
I keep my bedroom at 40 to 60% humidity. I use a dehumidifier in my room. If I have the AC on 75-78 and the dehumidifer on, it creates a dry, cool and comfortable room. Once I'm ensconced in the bed, I don't want to get up!
I hear you, CM786, and we thank your for joining in this conversation. If this works well for you, I would suggest you stick with it. Generally speaking, comfortable humidity for one's home is considered to be between 30%-50% humidity - so, with an air conditioner running at 75 - 78 degrees, I understand how your environment feels just perfect for you. Keep up the good work!
Wishing you well,
Leon (site moderator asthma.net)
