10 Ways To Keep Air Clean At Home

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is serious, but there's no reason you can't enjoy life after a diagnosis.

"COPD stands for two processes that almost always occur together: chronic bronchitis, which is inflammation of the airways, and emphysema, which is destruction of the fine substance of the lung," explains Norman Edelman, M.D., chief medical officer of the American Lung Association.

Take these simple steps to keep irritants out of your airways. They can help stop trouble before it gets started.

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Avoid Wood-Burning Fireplaces

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Wood-burning fireplaces -- charming and romantic as they may be -- produce particulate matter that can get into your lungs and make it harder to breathe. "Wood-burning fireplaces put out soot and carbon," says Len Horovitz, M.D., a pulmonary specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. "There's nothing in there that's a good thing for a patient. There's no inhalant that's worse than smoke." More from Health.com: The 10 Worst Jobs for Your Lungs 8 Breathing Tips for People With COPD 3 Ways to Manage COPD

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Wood-burning fireplaces -- charming and romantic as they may be -- produce particulate matter that can get into your lungs and make it harder to breathe.

"Wood-burning fireplaces put out soot and carbon," says Len Horovitz, M.D., a pulmonary specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

"There's nothing in there that's a good thing for a patient. There's no inhalant that's worse than smoke."

More from Health.com:
The 10 Worst Jobs for Your Lungs
8 Breathing Tips for People With COPD
3 Ways to Manage COPD

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Comments

[NitramNos]

10:28 AM on 02/28/2011

In my case, I've found using a humidifier during the drier winter months cuts down on respiratory irritation and discomfort. I used to get a persistent cough every winter until I started to use humidifiers.

[babybelle]

12:31 PM on 02/26/2011

http://www.zone10.com/nasa-study-house-plants-clean-air.html

Add houseplants

[SisterAnn]

08:13 AM on 02/25/2011

I wonder about the new type of pellet stoves. They only burn a small pellet at a time and can heat a home pretty good. Have they been tested?

We have started only using our pellet stove when it gets below 32 degrees.

[bbtri]

01:44 PM on 02/24/2011

Go outside to pass wind.

[Ivyleaguequaker]

11:11 PM on 02/24/2011

So I'm told.

[nothingchanges]

09:52 AM on 02/24/2011

How could they miss the most important one of all.

Don't vote Republican.

[KIVPossum]

02:54 PM on 02/24/2011

sigh

[anastasiabeaverhousen]

06:23 PM on 02/24/2011

Talk about fouling the air!