Respiratory health challenges like asthma and nasal allergies affect millions of Americans every day. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), asthma impacts approximately 26.8 million people in the United States (8.2% of the population), while nasal allergies (rhinitis) affect roughly 81 million U.S. residents (approximately 26% of adults and 19% of children). Symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing (for asthma) and sneezing, congestion, or itchy eyes (for allergies).

Fortunately, various at-home testing tools and management options can make it easier to monitor and control respiratory symptoms from the comfort of your own home.

Understanding Respiratory Issues

Nasal allergies, or rhinitis, are your body’s reaction to substances in your environment such as pollen, mold, dust mites and pet dander. Your body releases chemicals such as histamines to fight off the foreign substance—which in turn causes the symptoms. When allergies are triggered, histamine swelling occurs in the mucous membrane and affects the sinuses behind your nose, cheeks, forehead and in-between your eyes.

Asthma is a chronic disease that affects your lungs by tightening the muscles and/or swelling the lining of the airways to your lungs. Mucus can also result during an asthmatic attack and clog the airways. Asthma has many triggers, which can include rhinitis and other external factors like stress, illness and weather.

Both allergies and asthma can affect your breathing capacity, which is why monitoring devices can provide valuable insights into your respiratory function.

Pulse Oximeters: Your Oxygen Level Monitor

Pulse oximeters are small electronic devices that clip onto your fingertip and measure your blood oxygen saturation, or SpO₂, which is the percentage of oxygen molecules carried by red blood cells in the bloodstream. These simple devices work by shining light through your finger to estimate the percentage of oxygen in your blood.

Normal oxygen saturation typically ranges from 95-100%. Readings below the mid-90s may indicate insufficient oxygen, which can occur during severe asthma attacks or allergic reactions. For asthma patients experiencing acute symptoms, a pulse oximeter can quickly determine if oxygen levels have dropped to concerning levels. Generally, numbers below 90% warrant urgent medical attention.  

Peak Flow Meters: Your Airway Function Monitor

A peak flow meter is a handheld device that measures how quickly you can expel air from your lungs—your peak expiratory flow (PEF). This measurement helps gauge how open your airways are. A measurement is taken when your deep breath is exhaled forcefully into the meter’s tube. A sliding marker indicates a number on a scale (usually in liters per minute), corresponding to your airway openness.

A normal PEF in adults may be between 400 and 700 liters per minute (L/m). In children, a normal PEF may range from around 150 to 450 L/m. During an asthma flare-up when airways narrow, your peak flow values will decrease. Regular monitoring can help you detect early warning signs of worsening asthma, allowing you to adjust treatment before symptoms become severe.

Environmental Management of Asthma

Among the solutions to managing asthma involves reducing exposure to triggers in your home environment that can set off symptoms. Many asthma attacks are provoked by allergens or irritants—including dust mites, pet dander, pollen, mold, smoke and cold air.

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) filters capture finer particles like pollen, mold spores, and pet dander when used in home heating and cooling systems. Studies show that households using high efficiency filters have benefitted from reduced asthma symptoms.

Portable high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers can also remove airborne allergens—with some studies indicating air cleaners can modestly improve peak flow measurements and reduce symptoms.

Management Strategies for Nasal Allergies

Since many allergen triggers overlap with asthma, the same environmental controls mentioned for asthma, as well as nasal irrigation and avoidance measures, can be effective for the treatment of nasal allergies.  

Nasal Saline Irrigation

Sutter Health reported that rinsing the nasal passages with saline (salt water) can physically flush out allergens (pollen, dust) and thin mucus to relieve nasal allergy symptoms. Their findings showed that nasal saline irrigation is safe for daily use and can improve allergy symptom scores compared to no irrigation.

Allergen Avoidance

Individuals can proactively manage their nasal allergies by identifying and avoiding their specific triggers.  

• Pollen management: Monitor pollen forecasts on weather apps or websites. On high pollen days, stay indoors when possible, especially during peak pollen times (mid-morning and early evening). Keep windows closed and use air conditioning with the vent on recirculate.
• Indoor cleanliness: Vacuum carpets and upholstery weekly, ideally with a HEPA-filter vacuum. Dust surfaces with a damp cloth to trap particles rather than redistribute them. Washing bedding weekly in hot water can reduce dust mite allergens.
• Humidity control: Maintain indoor humidity around 50% to discourage dust mites and mold growth. Use exhaust fans when showering and cooking. In humid climates, consider a dehumidifier in basement areas or closed rooms prone to moisture.

Creating a Personalized Management Plan

The most effective asthma and allergy management strategies involve preventive action tailored to your specific triggers and symptoms:

1. Partner with healthcare providers to establish baseline measurements of your respiratory health and medication plans.
2. Invest in monitoring tools like peak flow meters and pulse oximeters to track your breathing and blood oxygen levels, respectively.
3. Take appropriate medications as prescribed by your doctor.
4. Implement environmental changes that reduce exposure to your specific triggers.
5. Track symptoms to identify patterns and make adjustments as needed.

Living with asthma or allergies doesn’t have to mean living in discomfort. Being knowledgeable of and understanding your respiratory health issues and knowing how to manage or avoid triggering allergens in your environment can help you breathe with greater ease.

References

• Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America - National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
• Arnold Palmer Hospital - They Look Alike, So How Can I Tell if It’s Asthma or Allergies?
• WebMD - All About Nasal Allergies
• Cleveland Clinic - Asthma
• Yale Medicine - Pulse Oximetry
• Cleveland Clinic - Peak Flow Meter
• Healthline - Do Air Purifiers Actually Work?
• Allergy Asthma & Immunology Research - The Effect of Particulate Matter Reduction by Indoor Air Filter Use on Respiratory Symptoms and Lung Function
• Sutter Health - Ease Allergies With Sinus Rinsing