Air Purifiers and Headaches

A headache can be caused by sinus pressure and allergies, or it can be caused by inhaling chemical fumes and other odors to which a person is sensitive. Migraine headaches can be brought on by certain smells, foods, or even a high stress level. Although there are different ways that a headache can be triggered, many headaches occur due to chemicals or particles in the air.

Older Man with a Headache

Indoor air particles can often make one’s allergies act up along with the headache, including symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, sinus problems, sore throat, and watery eyes. These allergic reactions are attributed to many particles, such as dust, dirt, and pet dander. Particles and chemical fumes are more prone to bother residents inside a home, because the air re-circulates and is trapped inside. One of the best methods to stop this vicious re-circulation of harmful contaminants is with the use of air purifiers.

There are many different types of air purifiers that feature filtering systems in order to rid the air of contaminants. When the air enters a system that utilizes HEPA technology, it is passed through a HEPA filter to eliminate particles. HEPA filters are able to eliminate 99.7% of all particles in the air that are 0.03 microns and larger in size. This includes many particles of dust and dirt which can cause allergic reactions and headaches in many people. There are also models of air purifiers that use electrostatic technology to clean the air. This system uses the efficiency of static electricity to make the particles stick to collection plates. Electrostatic air purifiers are generally efficient at removing the particles that trigger allergies and headaches, but the efficiency depends on the size of the collection plates in the system and the exposure time. Activated carbon is also a medium that can help air purifiers remove triggers for allergies and headaches. If the air in a system is able to pass through activated carbon, many gases and chemical fumes are removed before the air is released into the room.

For many people, headaches are mainly triggered by intense smells. When an odor is inhaled, the nasal or respiratory system reacts to the smell. This irritation causes chemicals to be released that can cause inflammation, nasal congestion, and sneezing. The irritation of passageways and sinuses often lead to headaches. The best way to avoid these allergic reactions and headaches is to eliminate the particles and odors from the air.

Sinus drainage can easily be blocked by the exposure to particles in the air. The buildup of fluids in the sinus cavity is another cause of headaches. When the sinuses are completely blocked and a headache ensues, it is a sinus headache, and it is generally not eliminated until the sinuses are cleared. In order to avoid the buildup of sinus cavities, many people turn to air cleaners for relief. With the proper use of air purifiers, sinuses are kept clearer.

An allergy attack is caused when the immune system reacts to particles by wheezing or sneezing. In order to minimize the occurrence of allergy attacks, air purifiers can be used to destroy the particles in the air before they are inhaled. Allergies and headaches are nuisances, and since they are sometimes related, eliminating the triggers that bring them on is a necessary task. Air purifiers are one of the most effective ways to destroy the particles, odors, and chemical fumes that can cause headaches and allergies. As previously mentioned, air purifiers that use HEPA filtration are very efficient at removing the particles from the air that can cause symptoms of allergies or headaches. Activated carbon that is added to air cleaners help the system to destroy odors and chemical fumes, which are sometimes responsible for headaches and irritation. Air purifiers can be the best solution for one’s health. Remember that the first line of defense against airborne pollution is to remove the source.