Let’s face it, how much do you care for your lungs as you do for your heart or any other organ? Not at all, right? People usually take their lungs for granted. It’s not until they have trouble breathing that they attend to impending problems related to their air sacks.
Your lungs work round the clock to keep you alive and healthy. The oxygen supplied by these vital organs powers every cell in the body. A single blow to the optimal functioning of the lungs disrupts the whole mechanism of your body. In your daily routine, lungs utilize only 50% of their capacity. Hence, these organs demand intense activity to work at their total capacity. Simply put, your lungs need care and attention to function optimally. So if you want to extend the value of this possession and enhance your lungs’ longevity, pay attention to the tips mentioned below.
Avoid exposure to indoor toxins
Like any other organ in the body, our air sacks age with time. However, exposure to pollutants in the air can accelerate this process, making them vulnerable to diseases. So, ease off your lungs before it’s too late. Avoid inhaling indoor pollutants like radon and indoor smoke as much as you can. Check your house for radon sources, install ventilation systems, and turn it into a smoke-free zone.
Also, if your workplace has a high chance of exposing you to toxic minerals such as asbestos, take some safety measures to protect your vital organs. Wear masks and other protective equipment to keep yourself safe. Asbestos exposure leads to rare and fatal diseases such as pleural mesothelioma, asbestosis, etc. These rare cancers take time to manifest as full-blown diseases, and it’s usually too late to recover then. So, if you work in places like a construction site and experience chest pain, breathlessness, cough, etc., frequently, reach out to your doctor and get yourself checked.
Stay physically active
You probably think of exercise as a technique to boost your fitness, enhance your heart health, trim your waistline, etc. The good news is exercise can also work wonders for your lung health. During physical activity, your body demands additional oxygen. When your lungs work beyond their routine, their capacity increases, allowing them to deliver more oxygen into the bloodstream.
Apart from keeping your lungs healthy, exercise also reduces the risk of developing chronic illnesses. There are many exercises like deep breathing, pursed-lip breathing, diaphragmic breathing, etc., you can opt for. Whether you are young, old, living with a disability, squeezing in a 30-minute workout in your daily routine can keep your lungs going strong for life.
Quit or reduce smoking
If you think smoking only causes lung cancer, you are mistaken. Besides lung cancer, smoking may lead to COPD, asthma, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Smokers are 15 to 30 times more likely to develop lung cancer or die from it than nonsmokers. Smokers not only play with their own lives but also jeopardize the lives of others since passive smoking too can lead to developing lung diseases.
You inhale plenty of carcinogens and toxins like CO, nicotine, and tar with each cigarette. These toxins fill up the lungs with mucus inhibiting the self-cleaning process of the lungs. As a result, the airways become narrow, making it harder for you to breathe. Sounds alarming, right? So, give your lungs a break and let them recuperate. And remember, it is never too late to quit smoking. Start by s=using nicotine patches or switching to vape instead.
Prevent infections
A simple cold or respiratory infection is likely to become dangerous and evolve into a life-threatening disease if you fail to address it on time. Here are a few tips you can adopt to prevent moving towards perilous conditions.
- Wash your hands thoroughly. You can also use alcohol-based sanitizers as an alternative.
- Avoid going out unnecessarily, especially during the winters or flu season.
- Maintain good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth at least twice a day with antibacterial toothpaste.
- Get your vaccination shot against influenza every year.
Eat healthily
You can’t feel your best if your lungs keep acting up frequently. Eating inflammatory foods can take a toll on your organs. Incorporating a few healthy habits in your lifestyle, like eating nutrient-rich foods, can go a long way in protecting your lungs from damage and keeping disease symptoms at bay.
What’s more, specific nutrients and foods enable the lungs to function at their optimal level. These include vibrantly colored beetroots, peppers rich in vitamin C, apples, tomatoes, turmeric, and more. Tomatoes, rich in lycopene, have been linked with a slow decline in lung damage among ex-smokers. Amazing, right? Cut down on inflammatory foods and add a few nutritious foods to your diet plan to keep your lungs healthy for life.
Get regular check-ups
What’s your response to a cold, prolonged flu, or other respiratory infections? You probably follow the conventional approach- take a few OTC meds and carry on with your life. In this way, you may overlook red flags indicating a decline in your lung health. So, it is best to get regular health check-ups even if you are well.
Seeing your doctor on a regular basis will help to detect the warning signs that mostly go unnoticed in the case of lung diseases. Consult a pulmonologist whenever you feel any irregular breathing pattern, prolonged cold, or persistent flu. Early diagnosis decreases the chances of prognosis into a life-threatening lung problem.
Conclusion
People usually don’t give much attention to their respiratory issues. However, this pair of organs helps your whole body function optimally. Once you realize their role in keeping you alive, you will direct your energy to keep them healthy. If you want to stay healthy, it is best to incorporate some lung-friendly habits into your lifestyle. This article mentions a few simple ways to maintain your lung health. Directing a fraction of your energy on these tips can keep your lungs happy, ensure longevity, and enhance the quality of your life.
