When moving towards a healthy lifestyle and becoming fit, most people think about changing their diet and working out. Rarely do they pay attention to their lungs and ignore many things about their environment that might affect them negatively. Thus, they end up developing lung diseases that reduce the quality of their life and result in poor health.
So, it’s about time you understand how vital your lungs are and focus on protecting them from the several hazards in your lifestyle and environment. Remember, like every other organ in your body, your lungs age as you grow older. Thus, you must take steps to delay their ageing process to ensure they remain in top-notch condition.
So how can you maintain the health of your lungs? Here are a few tips you should incorporate into your lifestyle to reduce the risk of lung diseases and keep your lungs healthy for a long time.
Avoid asbestos exposure
Asbestos is one of the most toxic materials to which hundreds of people can be exposed. It is found in tiles, insulation, automotive parts, military equipment, plastics, and vinyl products. While handling these products, asbestos fibres may be inhaled into your lungs and cause serious injury. While some may experience chronic cough and wheeze, others may develop life-threatening conditions like pleural mesothelioma.
Pleural mesothelioma is deadly cancer that develops in the pleura, the lining of the lungs. The disease has a poor prognosis, and patients often live about one or two years after diagnosis. It is most common in construction site workers and military veterans. Thus, they must wear sufficient PPE and undergo safety training for appropriately handling this toxic substance. You can learn more about pleural mesothelioma at mesotheliomahope.com, which covers everything you need to know about this cancer, including risk factors, symptoms, and treatment.
Don’t smoke
Smoking is one of the most important causes of lung cancer. Even a box of cigarettes informs the public that smoking can cause lung cancer. Yet, people ignore the warning and continue to smoke. Smoking can cause several other lung diseases, such as COPD, asthma, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Cigarettes contain several chemicals, mainly nicotine, carbon monoxide, and tar. All of these chemicals harm your lungs. Every time you inhale cigarette smoke, you decrease the quality of your lungs as these toxins gradually make it difficult for you to breathe.
When you compare the number of US citizens who have died because of smoking and those who have died in the war, you will notice that the number of people in the first category is ten times greater than the other. This is based on the Centres for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) data and proves that it’s time for you to let go of your old habit, which is slowly killing you.
No doubt, quitting smoking will be challenging, and there will be several days when you will feel like returning to your old habit. But, you must stay strong to live a longer, healthier life.
Even if you aren’t actively smoking a cigarette, you should stay away from other people when they smoke, as passive smoking is also harmful to your lungs. If your loved ones are regular smokers, tell them its disadvantages and help them let go of their habit.
Exercise- the way to stronger lungs
We all know the benefits of exercise for a fit body. But, did you know it’s beneficial for your lungs? Just like exercise helps maintain your body, it also maintains your lungs.
Whenever you exercise, your lungs work more efficiently, and so does your heart. Both these organs work harder than usual to fulfil the oxygen requirement of your muscles and expel the excess carbon dioxide.
You might have even noticed how your breathing gets faster. This is a kind of exercise for your lungs. It happens because the air sacs in your lungs begin working quickly and exchange carbon dioxide in blood with oxygen. As you exercise more and more, your lungs become stronger and stronger. The best exercise for your lungs is aerobics, which helps increase your breathing rate.
Exercise makes your lungs so strong that even after you age, they work great. Additionally, if you are diagnosed with lung disease and continue to exercise regularly, the progression of the disease will reduce, and you will be able to live longer.
Get your yearly flu shot
Getting infected by the influenza virus is extremely common. Most of us get this infection yearly. While most people experience mild symptoms that go away with medicines and rest, others may develop life-threatening complications. This includes children, older adults, and patients who suffer from chronic lung conditions and co-morbidities like diabetes and blood disorders.
One of the most common complications among flu-infected people is Pneumonia. The infection occurs even in healthy individuals with no prior health conditions. Also, flu virus complications include bronchitis, sinusitis, ear infections, and encephalitis.
The best way to avoid getting the flu is to get your yearly flu shot. It provides immunity against the causative virus and keeps your lungs healthy. You should get the vaccine even if you are not in the high-risk group as you won’t have to deal with the mild symptoms of the illness like cough and fever.
Avoid exposure to pollutants
Air pollution is among the leading cause of lung disease. Our environment contains several harmful toxins like carbon monoxide, particulate matter, sulfur oxides, and lead. The effects of these toxins do not show up immediately. They gradually accumulate in your lungs and cause illnesses as you grow older.
Reduce your exposure to environmental toxins as much as possible to keep your lung healthy and avoid infections. Here are a few tips to help you out.
- Do not go outside during peak air pollution times.
- Avoid secondhand smoke by isolating yourself from people when they smoke.
- Do not exercise near traffic as this leads to the inhalation of exhaust gas.
- Do not use gas-powered equipment, as this releases toxins into the air.
Conclusion
It’s never too late to begin taking care of your lungs. Get regular check-ups and follow all the tips mentioned above to keep your lungs functioning properly. They are a vital part of your body that shouldn’t be neglected. Finally, remember that if your lungs are healthy, you are healthy, and vice versa. If anything happens to your lungs, your quality of life is bound to decrease.
