Well, it seems like Smogust is here and the smoke and air quality predictions for the next few days isn’t looking so great. Apparently most of Western Washington is are seeing the effects of fires in Canada. Particulates in the air are the biggest issue and causes the most problems. Children, the elderly and people who have conditions like asthma, heart disease and other complicated conditions.

If you are like most folks, the smoke is getting to you and it is hard to breath. I have had to cancel a few different activities and project because my lungs are tired, I’m starting to wheeze and I’ve had headaches on and off for a week. I don’t usually get headaches.

Fortunately, my the studio where I take my massage and wellness coaching clients has had good air and is comfortably cool. I may just move in, lol.

In an effort to help my community find some comfort, I thought I would write about things that some people find helpful to support their respiratory system.

PROTECTING YOUR HEALTH FROM SMOKE

Room Air Filters

Air Filters can be helpful/ True HEPA filters make a difference but can be expensive.

There have been a lot of conversations going around about how to build your own for a lot less using a standard 20-inch by 20-inch box fan, which often retails for about $12, or even less if you find one at a thrift store. Tape a 20-inch by 20-inch by 1-inch furnace filter to the front of it. You can buy these at your hardward store. Make sure that filter is a HEPA filter with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating of at least 13. This is important because you want to filter out the particles in the air. The higher the rating, the more particles will be filtered out of the air. These filters sell for about $15.

There will be arrows marked on the filter to indicate the proper direction for airflow. Attach the filter to the front of the fan, so the air blows through it. You can place it on the back of the fan if you like but the result may be the same since air is going to flow through the filter, either way. I chose the front since some reports have pointed out that putting a filter before the fan will make the air going into the fan turbulent. Making the fan operate in turbulent air flow (as opposed to laminar flow) has two consequences:

A. One is that the efficiency of the fan is reduced.

B. The other is that the fan will be noisier.

The homemade purifier can be placed on the floor. Don’t place it in an open window. Keep your windows closed so that you are filtering the air inside your home. You can tell when it’s time to change the filter by its color. It will turn brown.

Lungs Comfort

Steep these herbs and breath the the steam in through your nose and your mouth

Wild Cherry Bark (Prunus Serotina)

Fennel Seed

Cinnamon Bark

Orange Peel

Licorice Root

Throat Comfort

Steep any or all of the above mentioned botanical ingredients and add a smidge of slippery elm bark or marshmallow to it for a soothing throat tea. Rabbits Pantry is a locally owned tea maker and they have Smokey Bear Tea available.

You can make this tea and sip on it all day, hot or cold. I have been making it at night and sipping it at room temperature all day.

Dry Sore Eyes?

Similasan makes some very nice soothing eye drops that help to keep the eyes from lubricated and comfortable. This is important for clear vision as well. Eye irritation from smoke is usually solved with over-the-counter products as well as cold compresses but be sure to see your doctor if it goes on for more than a few days.

Saline sprays can help with nasal irritation when I am out and about but I use my neti pot when I am at home. If you are used to a neti pot, now is a good time to make it part of your morning and night regime. If you are new to a neti pot, try it while showering since the water on your body tends to help people not feel as grossed out not panicky as they let the water drip into their sinuses. Really, that is what you do. It sounds way worse than it is and actually helps most folks once they give it a try.

To use a neti pot, mix 3 teaspoons of iodide-free, preservative-free salt with 1 teaspoon of baking soda and store in a small clean container. Mix 1 teaspoon of this mixture in 8 ounces of distilled, sterile or previously boiled and cooled water. You can pick up a neti pot and iodine-free salt from the Health Spot in town. Tell Sheila that I sent you.

Face Mask

If you need to go outside, maybe this face mask will help. My dear friend Jahmez from Abundant Solar in Corvalis turned me onto it. Masks have to have a good fit and be N95 or higher. However, it is best to stay inside. https://amzn.to/2Bvd2lf

Comment below to share your ideas or experiences with what I have shared. My next post will give more ideas on how to live more comfortably with this current poor air quality.

To Be Continued…

*The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.