Professionally cleaned air ducts can cut down on allergens in your home.

Regular cleaning can help protect your home from dust, dander, pollen, mold and other allergen.

(NAPSI)—As the warmer seasons unfold, a host of allergens and irritants become more prevalent, potentially disrupting your daily life and health – especially if you have asthma and allergies. According to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America (AAFA), millions of people are affected by allergies, and understanding how to control your environment can significantly improve your quality of life during this beautiful but challenging season. Here are effective strategies and types of products that can help reduce allergens and irritants in your home:

1. Prioritize Indoor Air Quality

Air Purifiers – Invest in a good air purifier. Devices with HEPA filters are especially effective at trapping allergens such as pollen, pet dander, and dust mites. To maximize their effectiveness, put air purifiers in commonly used areas such as bedrooms and living rooms.
Humidity Control – Maintain indoor humidity levels between 30 percent and 50 percent. Humidifiers can add moisture to dry air, while dehumidifiers can help control mold growth and dust mites by reducing excess moisture. Both tools are essential in creating a balanced indoor environment.

2. Keep It Clean

Regular Cleaning – Weekly cleaning can significantly reduce the presence of allergens. Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to capture the fine particles that traditional vacuums may recirculate into the air. Remember to wear a dust mask while cleaning to avoid inhaling allergens.
Bedding and Upholstery – Encase mattresses and pillows in dust mite-proof covers. Wash bedding weekly in hot water to kill dust mites and remove allergens. Additionally, consider washing or replacing curtains and deep cleaning upholstery where allergens can linger.

3. Filter and Ventilate

Replace HVAC Filters – Regularly replace the filters in your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Opt for filters with a high MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating that can capture smaller particles, thus improving indoor air quality. Check with your manufacturer to ensure you’re using the right MERV rating for your system. Using a filter with too high a rating for your system can cause more harm than good, taxing your system and shortening its lifespan.

Enhance Ventilation – Improve your home’s ventilation by opening windows when the pollen count is low or using exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms to reduce moisture and cooking fumes, which can exacerbate asthma symptoms.

Air Duct Cleaning – Consider having your air ducts cleaned by a NADCA-certified professional. Over time, dust, mold, and other allergens can accumulate in your duct system, affecting the overall air quality and efficiency of your HVAC system. Cleaning your air ducts can help ensure that these irritants are removed, providing cleaner, fresher airflow throughout your home.

4. Create a Pollen-Free Zone

Keep windows and doors closed during high pollen days. Use air conditioning in your home and car to keep pollen out. Remove shoes at the door and shower after being outdoors to wash pollen off your skin and hair.

5. Control Pet Dander

If you have pets, groom them regularly to reduce the dander they shed. Also, establish pet-free zones, especially in bedrooms, to minimize allergy exposure while sleeping.

6. Consider Indoor Plants

Some plants can help improve indoor air quality. However, it’s important to choose wisely, as some plants can also be sources of mold or pollen. Spider plants and ferns are good options for improving air without increasing allergens.

By integrating these strategies and using effective products, you can significantly reduce the impact of allergens and irritants during the allergy and asthma season. Living with allergies and asthma can be challenging, but with these tips from BreathingClean.com, you can enjoy the season without the sneeze.

(NAPSI)—When it comes to mental health, many people across the U.S. have experienced their share of challenges–but help may be at hand.

The Problem

The issue is especially concerning in rural America, where more than 60 percent of people report having a mental health condition – such as anxiety or depression – yet less than half of them get the help or treatment they need. Rural Americans face unique mental health stressors and barriers to accessing care, but those living in rural communities also boast unique support mechanisms that they can tap into to flip the script on mental health stigma.

An Answer

An example of those unique support mechanisms can be found in rural Georgia, where community leader Adaris Rivera has found hope in the resilience that living in a rural community presents. “Each person’s journey with mental health is deeply personal and unique, yet there’s a universal truth that support and hope are within reach for everyone. No one should feel isolated in their struggles,” she said. This is what inspired her to share her own story as part of a national public service advertisement (PSA) campaign called “Love, Your Mind” from Huntsman Mental Health Institute and the Ad Council.

Rivera experienced hardship while growing up in Puerto Rico, moving to the Midwest and eventually laying down roots in rural Georgia. In the PSA video, she talks about her story, saying “I’ve been through a lot” including trauma, anxiety and depression. For Rivera, the goal of sharing her story is to help others who may be going through the same thing. She advocates for people to seek professional help when needed, and shares how daily practices can also be helpful—such as spending time in nature, journaling and finding time for prayer or reflection.

On her mental health journey, Rivera found solace in one unique benefit of living in a rural place: easy access to nature. “When I come home exhausted, there’s nothing more rejuvenating than stepping into my backyard. Cooking with the door open, letting the breeze in and stealing a few moments on my deck to listen to a mental health podcast.”

Another benefit of rural living that has supported her healing: having a close-knit community. When it comes to mental health, one key step is finding people with whom you can talk openly. Rivera is a strong supporter of this idea, saying “Accepting help means that we are allowing somebody to bless our lives.”

She has also found ways to share that hope with her community. She organizes group activities to create “mental health boxes” for individuals who are struggling or being seen for inpatient mental health care. The boxes contain such things as reminders of family and loved ones, items to help with daily self-care and positive messages and quotes.

Expert Opinion

The notion of leaning into your community for support is one that’s also backed by experts. Dave Eldredge from Huntsman Mental Health Institute says, “The reality is, we all have mental health—just like we all have physical health. And when we take care of our minds, we can show up stronger in our work and for the people we care about.”

Eldredge grew up in both rural Utah and rural Idaho and knows that talking about mental health in rural communities can feel difficult at first. “A big part of the challenge can be our mindset. We pride ourselves on being self-reliant, and that can be a wonderful thing. But when we open up to others for a helping hand or just a listening ear, we can actually be stronger.”

These tips may help you stay on track with your plan to eat healthier.

Reduce the overall calories you consume.

If you consume more calories than you use through daily living, exercise, and other activities, it may lead to weight gain. If you consume fewer calories than you use through physical activity, it may lead to weight loss.

Have healthy snacks on hand.

Whether you are at home, at work, or on the go, healthy snacks may help combat hunger and prevent overeating. Look for snacks that are low in added sugar and salt. Your best bets are whole foods – like baby carrots, fresh fruit, or low-fat or fat-free yogurt instead of chips, cakes, or cookies – rather than packaged or processed foods.

Select a mix of colorful vegetables each day.

Choose dark, leafy greens – such as spinach, kale, collards, and mustard greens – and red and orange vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, red peppers, and tomatoes. If you have had kidney stones, be aware that some vegetables, like spinach and sweet potatoes, are high in oxalate, a chemical that combines with calcium in urine to form a common type of kidney stone. So, if you have kidney stones, you may need to watch how much of this you eat. But for others, these are great choices. Eat a rainbow of food colors!

Choose whole grains more often.

Try whole-grain breads and pastas, oatmeal, or brown rice.

Shift from solid fats to oils.

Try cooking with vegetable, olive, canola, or peanut oil instead of solid fats such as butter, stick margarine, shortening, lard, or coconut oil. Choose foods that naturally contain oils, such as seafood and nuts, instead of some meat and poultry. And use salad dressings and spreads that are made with oils rather than solid fats.

Switch from frying to baking or grilling.

Instead of fried chicken, try a salad topped with grilled chicken. Instead of ordering fries when eating out, ask for a side of steamed veggies.

Limit foods and beverages that are high in sugar and salt.

Avoid snack foods high in salt and added sugars; and keep away from sugary soft drinks.

Read the Nutrition Facts label on packaged foods. The Nutrition Facts label tells you how many calories and servings are in a box, package, or can. The label also shows how many ingredients, such as fat, fiber, sodium, and sugar—including added sugars – are in one serving of food. You can use these facts to make healthy food choices.

Discover the hidden hazards lurking within your home. From dust to pet dander and volatile organic compounds, indoor pollutants affect your health but simple strategies can clear the air for a healthier living space.

Dust: The Silent Intruder

Mold: The Unseen Threat

Pet Dander: Furry Friends, Hidden Hazards

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): The Invisible Culprits

Learn More

(NAPSI)—There could be good news if you or someone you care about is ever among the one in 6,000 Americans the National Institutes of Health estimates will be diagnosed with keratoconus (KC).

The Problem

This is a sight-threatening and progressive eye disease that occurs when the cornea thins and weakens over time. It causes the development of a cone-like bulge, which can dramatically and permanently distort vision.

An Answer

There is no cure for keratoconus, but the cornea can be strengthened to slow or halt the progression of the disease with an FDA-approved cross-linking procedure called iLink®. Once diagnosed, there is a lot of information for patients to digest and for eye doctors and their staff to explain in a way that is thorough, educational, and not overwhelming.

Helping Patients Understand the Procedure

With that goal in mind, Glaukos, the company that developed the iLink procedure, launched a 10-part video series called WiseEyes, available on the Glaukos Cornea patient YouTube channel. The format of each short video depicts two young “podcast hosts” talking about everything from keratoconus signs and symptoms and the risk of vision deterioration to what to expect before, during, and after the iLink procedure. Episodes also address insurance coverage, financing options, and financial assistance programs for the procedure. The goal of the WiseEyes video series is to help patients get the information they need so they can feel comfortable and confident in making decisions as they relate to their keratoconus journey and treatment with iLink.

Glaukos is committed to consumer awareness. Last year, the company launched a massive KC awareness initiative through a unique website called www.livingwithkeratoconus.com that offers details about KC signs and symptoms; an online, downloadable five-question quiz; and a link to “Find a Doc” to make an appointment to be screened. The campaign was supported by videos, social media, collateral materials, and media relations in partnership with eye doctors to encourage people – primarily between the ages of 14 and 35 – to be screened for KC. Both campaigns, designed to educate people about KC, are based on the fact the disease is commonly underdiagnosed but can progress rapidly and result in significant vision loss. If left untreated, as many as one in five patients with progressive KC may eventually need a corneal transplant.

More good news is that people are starting to talk about KC and better understand the signs and symptoms that should be discussed with an eye doctor. This has come through Glaukos’ efforts and patients with KC sharing their experiences on social media channels.

“Corneal cross-linking is an effective treatment for stabilizing cornea rigidity to preserve vision and spare patients with KC from possibly having to undergo cornea transplantation,” said Dr. Clark Chang, an optometrist at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. “The WiseEyes campaign was created with diagnosed KC patients in mind to provide a clear understanding of what to expect from the FDA-approved treatment and to allay any fears.”

Learn More

For more facts, visit www.glaukos-iLink.com.