LiveLongAgeWell

Consider yourself lucky if, like my South American readers, you are now bathed in the warmth of summer, but those of us stuck in winter are having a completely different experience.  Part of the seasonal misery is the irritating dryness of the indoor air. (Frigid outside, bone dry inside.) So when a good friend from Maine asked me to write about humidifiers, I was excited, thinking I could detail some health benefits and report that people who used humidifiers got fewer respiratory illnesses.

Unfortunately though, I found no good research showing humidifiers decrease your chances of getting sick (they might, but the definitive studies haven’t been done). As a head-and-neck specialist, I noticed though that many people’s nosebleeds, and some sinus infections, were made worse by dry air. Dry mucous membranes are not a good thing.

While there is no solid research that using a humidifier will make you healthier, comfortably humidified air will make you feel better. Used properly, a humidifier will decrease dry, itchy skin and eyes, and minimize (temporarily at least) prune-like wrinkles from dehydrated skin; you might look healthier. And with proper indoor humidity, your lips won’t crack, and your nose shouldn’t crust from dryness.

Optimal indoor humidity runs from 30 to 50%; more than that and the environment feels stuffy, mold may grow, your windows can fog, and dust mites—which many people are allergic to—can flourish.  So spend $20 and buy a hygrometer (available from a hardware store or Amazon), and measure your indoor humidity level.  If it’s below 30% and you have symptoms, consider a humidifier, but only if you are willing to take care of it (keep it clean). If you neglect the equipment, it could easily cause you more harm than good, spewing microorganisms and mold, and instead of helping you, make you sick.

There are various types of humidifiers, but I recommend the evaporative type which uses a disposable wick to soak up water and a fan to blow out the moist air. There are other types, like the warm steam models and the more expensive ultrasonic models, but they seem to have more problems, such as a greater chance of spewing out micro-contamination and minerals contained in the water, or spilling boiling water if you knock the machine over.

Before you buy, see the various models in action at your home supply store. Check the noise level (the best emit soft white-noise), and see if it is easy to clean and how it fills with water, and how difficult it is to move. This is a purchase that could be disappointing if you buy online without seeing the model in action, and it’s best if you can find a knowledgeable salesperson to help you. None use much energy, and many carry a street price under $100. Click on the links in this post for more helpful hints.

I have used a Vornado evaporative model ($100)

for several years with great success.  Another highly rated one is the Sears Kenmore 8 gallon model ($110),

which lets you adjust your exact desired humidity level.

Again, the critical issue is that you must read and follow the instructions for your particular model on changing the wick/filter, and cleaning or disinfecting the device regularly (may require bleach, peroxide, or a humidifier cleaner.)  Taking care of any of these machines can be a minor hassle, but hopefully you will find the benefits are worth it!

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“Quitting smoking is easy. I’ve done it a thousand times.” Mark Twain (probably around now…Happy New Year’s!)

Actually, quitting is tough, but about half of smokers eventually do it. Usually it takes multiple attempts. Especially if you are around secondhand smoke, which may even increase the risk of breast cancer, this year stop the damage and excess aging you are suffering; if you know a smoker, send him this post.

A smoker who quits, no matter her age, will begin to undue the damage, maybe even most of the damage. It doesn’t matter how long you smoked, you will be better off if you quit, now. Like all addictions it’s not easy, but if your personal resolve is strong you can try “cold turkey”. Many motivated smokers have quit this way.

But—no shame—if you want extra help, talk to your physician about nicotine replacement therapy (gum, patch, inhaler, or nasal spray), or one of the available prescription pills that significantly improve your chances of quitting. Realize though that if you choose a medication option, you still need a strong desire to quit, or you will fail.

All medication options have possible side effects, but not necessarily bad ones (and continuing to smoke has lots of side effects!)  Ask your doctor, and maybe research yourself) about this: the pill that has been on the market as a stop-smoking aid since 1997 (available relatively cheaply as generic bupropion) is also used as an anti-depressant, and many people even lose weight while taking it.

There is a newer drug (trade name Chantix) which is more expensive and has been heavily marketed to doctors, but may have more risks than the older medication bupropion. If your doc wants you to take the newer medication, quiz her closely about why she wants you to take the heavily marketed med rather than bupropion. Are the possible benefits really worth the risks of this new drug which could, in several years, be withdrawn due to side effects? (There have been enough concerns that the FAA has banned its use by pilots and air traffic controllers.) Often it’s safer, cheaper, and better to stick to the tried-and-true when it comes to medication. The newest is NOT necessarily better when it comes to prescription drugs!

Whatever method you choose, get support from an organization such as the Center for Disease Control (puts your tax money to work and has lots of great links) or the American Cancer Society.  And be aware that when you quit, for some time you could feel worse, even beyond missing the cigarettes.  Recent ex-smokers may cough more, and bring up more mucous, which might be a sign that the lungs are starting to come alive again, and that you are clearing out years of built-up debris. Discuss with your doctor.

When you—or someone you know—successfully quits, they will likely be happier, more self-assured, sick less, and no longer contributing to secondhand smoke risks.  Beyond that, while quitting, think of another reward.  Maybe a vacation, which now you can afford because you won’t be spending on cigarettes, and your health care costs will likely be lower!