Is your home causing you shortness of breath?

In most cases, people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can keep symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, or sputum under control. However, being aware of your COPD triggers — especially in your home — can help you avoid exacerbations.

Rid your home of these allergens and lung irritants to improve your COPD symptoms:

•Dust mites: These hardy creatures, invisible to the naked eye, can burrow into furniture upholstery and worsen symptoms for people with COPD.

•Pet dander: Although your dog may bring lots of love into your home, he also sheds dander and tiny flakes of dead skin. People with COPD or allergies may experience reactions to pet dander, saliva, or urine.

•Mold and mildew: Mold grows in moist places — like around your kitchen sink or in your bathroom and can be a health hazard for people with respiratory issues like COPD, asthma, and allergies.

•Cleaning products: Although a clean home is important, the products you use matter, too.
Aerosol and spray cleaners contain volatile organic compounds, which can make COPD symptoms worse.

The biggest myth about COPD is that you can't do anything about it. Although there is no cure for COPD, it can be treated and managed in many people. How well COPD can be treated depends on how advanced it is and what other diseases may be present, such as hypertension and heart disease.