Dust, bacteria, and other airborne contaminants in your home’s indoor air could be making your family sick. Find out how poor indoor air quality, IAQ, in your Westwego, Louisiana, home can affect your family’s health — contributing to sore throats, nasal problems, and asthma conditions.

Sore Throats

If family members complain about sore throats when they’re inside, but say they feel better after leaving the house, poor air quality could be to blame. While sore throats are usually caused by viral infections, they can also occur when you breathe in dust that aggravates your throat.

Check the filter in your air conditioner or furnace to make sure the filter isn’t clogged. A dirty filter encourages dust to circulate through your home. Remember to change or clean your air filters at least once per month.

Nasal Problems

A stuffy or runny nose could be a symptom of a cold or the result of poor air quality in your home. When you breathe in dust and other particles, they irritate your nasal passages and cause your nose to plug up, especially if your home’s indoor air is dry.

If you suspect the air in your home is too dry, try using a humidifier and monitoring your symptoms for improvement. Many air conditioners and furnaces come with a humidifying function. If your unit has this function, check to make sure the feature is working properly.

Worsening Asthma Conditions

If you have an asthma sufferer in your family, you need to be especially concerned with your home’s air quality. Pet dander, dust, or other airborne allergens can trigger allergy symptoms.

Make your home comfortable for everyone in your family by sweeping and vacuuming regularly to keep your rooms clean. Frequent cleaning is especially important if you have pets in your home. Make sure to vacuum your carpets and furniture regularly, as pet dander can cause allergic reactions for some asthma sufferers.

Contact Bryans United Air Conditioning at 504-208-2071 to discuss how we can help improve your home’s IAQ or schedule your seasonal air conditioner or furnace maintenance visit.

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