Your bedroom is your haven. It’s where you go to get a good night’s sleep, so you can wake up feeling energized the next morning. Unfortunately, getting rest isn’t as easy as it sounds for asthmatics. Nocturnal asthma can disturb sleep patterns. Thankfully, people with nighttime asthma don’t just have to grin and bear this issue. They can take certain steps to eliminate common asthma triggers from their bedroom, reducing the risk of an attack. If you have nocturnal asthma and are looking for a solution to restless nights, these tips for making your bedroom asthma-friendly might help.
Temperature and Humidity
There are plenty of temperature and humidity-related triggers that can negatively impact your sleep. The best way to tackle temperature-related triggers is to make sure your bedtime attire and bedsheets suit the season. Make sure you’re bundled up in winter and using lighter, more breathable sheets in the sweltering summer. To handle humidity, you can keep a window open during warmer weather and use a dehumidifier in the colder months. Low humidity makes the air thinner, which translates to better breathing and also reduces the number of dust mites in your bedroom.
Allergens
Another tip for making your bedroom asthma-friendly is to find ways to cut down on allergens. Allergens are a major asthma trigger and can vary wildly from person to person. Understanding what your specific triggers are will help you locate and eliminate traces of them inside of your bedroom. You can open a window, use an air filter or purifier, and clean your room.
If you have a bathroom connected to your bedroom, you should check for common allergens such as mildew and mold. Mold growth is common in places with moisture, such as your sink, shower, and bathtub. You can clean mildew with cleaner and a scrubbing brush, but mold will require professional removal. Once the mold gets removed, make sure to take the necessary steps to prevent it from growing again. This will ensure your bathroom and bedroom remain asthma-friendly.
Dust Mites
These tiny, microscopic bugs are known for living in the dust. Their droppings contain a chemical that can trigger asthma attacks. To prevent dust mites, you need to prevent dust from accumulating. You might want to consider using a mattress topper, which will help keep your mattress clean and allergen-free. You can also get dust-mite-proof covers for your pillows, comforters, mattress, and box springs. As an extra precaution, make sure to wash your blankets, sheets, and pillowcases every week in hot water.
