Tips to keep your lungs healthy

Rose May Pimentel in Health

Aug 30, 2020 • 3 min Read

Lung health is vital for a person’s overall health. Our lungs keep us alive. It is extremely important to ensure lung health, especially this COVID-19 pandemic to be able to fight against the infection that majorly affects the respiratory system.

Also, our lungs age with time. They can become less flexible and lose their strength, which can make it more difficult to breathe.

By adopting healthy habits, you can better maintain the healthiness of your lungs to keep them working optimally until your senior years. Here are some tips from the American Lung Association, an organization for preventing lung disease and promoting lung health:

1. Don’t Smoke

Cigarette smoking is the major cause of lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Cigarette smoke can narrow the air passages and make breathing more difficult. It causes chronic inflammation or swelling in the lung that can lead to chronic bronchitis. Over time cigarette smoke destroys lung tissue and may trigger changes that grow into cancer. If you smoke, it’s never too late to quit.

2. Avoid Exposure to Indoor Pollutants That Can Damage Your Lungs

Secondhand smoke, chemicals in the home and workplace, and radon all can cause or worsen lung disease. Make your home and car smoke-free. Test your home for radon. Avoid exercising outdoors on bad air days.

3. Minimize Exposure to Outdoor Air Pollution

The air quality outside can vary from day to day and sometimes can be unhealthy. Knowing how outdoor air pollution affects your health, do some useful strategies to minimize prolonged exposure that can help keep you and your family well. Climate change and natural disasters can also directly impact lung health.

4. Prevent Infection

A cold or other respiratory infection can sometimes become very serious. Below are the things you can do to protect yourself:

* Wash your hands often with soap and water. Alcohol-based cleaners are a good substitute if you cannot wash them.

* Avoid crowds during the cold and flu season.

* Good oral hygiene can protect you from the germs in your mouth leading to infections. Brush your teeth at least twice daily and see your dentist at least every six months.

* Get vaccinated every year against influenza. Talk to your healthcare provider to find out if the pneumonia vaccine is right for you.

* If you get sick, keep it to yourself! Protect the people around you, including your loved ones, by keeping your distance. Stay home from work or school until you’re feeling better.

5. Get Regular Check-ups

Regular check-ups help prevent diseases, even when you are feeling well. This is especially true for lung disease, which sometimes goes undetected until it is serious. During a check-up, your healthcare provider will listen to your breathing and your concerns.

6. Exercise

Whether you are young or old, slender, or large, able-bodied, or living with a chronic illness or disability, being physically active can help keep your lungs healthy.

Now, more than ever, we need to pay attention to our lungs and make it a priority. So go, breathe this information for healthy lungs! Stay healthy and safe!