Ideal living environment for patients with interstitial lung disease

The most notable symptom of patients with interstitial lung disease is difficulty breathing, so they need a better air environment. People usually spend the most time at home every day. Compared with public spaces outside, private rooms are also where we can improve the air quality to the greatest extent.

Creating an ideal living room for patients with interstitial lung disease

1. Fresh and ventilated air

Keep the indoor air fresh. In non-hazy weather, open the windows regularly for ventilation. If the windows in the room can be transparent from north to south, the ventilation effect will be better. Avoid excessive use of air fresheners or perfumes. Strong odors are also an irritant.

2. Suitable temperature and humidity

Too cold and too dry air can irritate the respiratory tract, while a hot and humid environment can easily lead to mold growth. The temperature should be kept between 20-26℃ and the humidity between 40%-60% is a comfortable range for the human body. In order to maintain the indoor temperature and humidity, humidifiers and air conditioners are often used, but at the same time, these appliances should be kept clean to avoid breeding bacteria and causing air pollution.

3. Reduce the generation of dust and flying catkins

Keeping the room clean requires frequent sweeping, but dry sweeping can easily cause dust to fly into the environment. You can choose vacuuming or electrostatic adsorption to remove dust. Do not place carpets or plush toys in the room, as they are easy to accumulate dust and difficult to clean. Try to choose potted flowers and plants that do not produce flying catkins and pollen. Avoid using bedding and pillows filled with down or old cotton wool, and change and dry bedding frequently.

4. Refuse smoking and secondhand smoke

Long-term smoking has a huge adverse effect on lung function, greatly increasing the probability of lung disease. Smoking is also considered one of the causes of interstitial lung disease. In addition to refusing to smoke, you should also be careful not to be in an environment with secondhand smoke, especially smoking indoors, which will cause harmful substances to adhere to indoor objects and be difficult to disperse.

5. Peace and tranquility

A comfortable living environment requires not only good air quality but also minimal noise. A quiet room is conducive to maintaining a good state of mind and a peaceful sleep. Patients with interstitial lung disease should avoid living in rooms along the street or with windows facing the road. The more green a community is, the better the noise barrier effect will be.

References

[1] Zhang Yuan. Rehabilitation and lifestyle adjustment for interstitial pneumonia[J]. Family Medicine: First Half of the Month, 2021(3):1.

[2] Cheng Lina, Teng Yueling. Research progress in nursing care of interstitial lung disease[J]. Health Care Guide, 2016(21).