10 Things You Should Know To Keep Your Lungs Healthy

Are your lungs healthy? Find out now by checking against our 10-step mantra for maintaining good lung health.

Your lungs work round the clock, taking in air from the outside environment and making sure it reaches every single cell in your body. In that respect, these delicate organs are directly exposed to the outside environment, and contact with any harmful substance threatens your lung’s ability to function properly. While the body does have a natural defence mechanism to keep out impurities and germs, there are still ways we can land up with a lung infection or disorder.

Let’s find out 10 crucial things that can keep your lung healthy:

1. Say NO to smoke. If you smoke, quit today. If you are a non-smoker, please don’t pick up the habit. Smoking is a huge contributor to some serious lung conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. Inhaling cigarette smoke irritates the fine hairs (cilia) lining the lung’s airways, playing down lung’s natural defence system against infections. It can cause inflammation and narrowing of airways. Further, cigarette smoke destroys lung tissue by interrupting the balance of enzymes leading to emphysema. It is never to late to quit to discover the health benefits when away from cigarette smoke.

2. Avoid being a passive smoker. Second-hand smoke carries the same dangers to those who inhale it as it is for smokers. In fact, two-thirds of the smoke leaving a cigarette is not even inhaled by the smoker; rather is passes on in the air around others. Here are some ways to avoid passive smoking:

Keep your home, vehicle and workplace smoke-free. Choose activities and venues that are smoke-free or have a

non-smoking section. Stay as far as possible from a person smoking a cigarette. 3. Be aware of the effects of air pollution outside – Do your

bit for clean air. Gases and particles released into the air from various sources like industries and vehicles can irritate lungs and also make certain diseases like asthma and COPD worse. Here are some ways to avoid air pollution:

Avoid unnecessary burning of vehicle fuel; turn the engine off when on idle.

Avoid chemicals and pesticides in your garden. Follow all laws that aim for better air quality. Follow the Air Quality Index for your city; stay indoors when it

is inching towards dangerous levels.

4. Improve the air indoors Control humidity levels in your home. 30-50 per cent humidity

is most comfortable. Air conditioners, air coolers and heating devices should be

cleaned and serviced regularly.

Control the amount of dust in your home. Keep bedding, carpets, sofas, etc. free of dust to keep dust mites away.

Make sure your home and workplace are properly ventilated to bring in clean, fresh air. Newly painted homes must be left open to let out the smell of paint.

5. Protect yourself from respiratory infections.

There are numerous bacterial, viral and fungal infections that can affect the lungs. Protect yourself by maintaining good hand and oral hygiene, avoiding crowds during cold season, and staying updated with vaccinations.

6. Know the warning signs for timely action Cough that does not go away even after a month, difficult breathing even under restful conditions, chest pain, blood in cough, etc. must not be taken lightly. Stay alert for any signs of lung trouble.

7. Protect yourself from work hazards Certain jobs like those in construction, painting and mining are at higher risk of developing lung cancer and other diseases. People working in such settings much wear protective clothing like masks at all times and ensure good ventilation of workspaces.

8. Eat right Studies have shown a direct link between foods rich in anti-oxidants and lung health. These are also known to keep the risk of lung cancer low.

9. Exercise Exercise is good for the fitness of heart and lungs and it allows an efficient supply of oxygen to these organs. It is particularly important in patients with chronic lung diseases.

10. Take care of existing lung conditions Those with COPD and asthma know the importance of keeping symptoms under control. There are medicines in form of corticosteroid and albuterol inhalers that help keep respiratory attacks and symptoms manageable. Keep up with all follow up visits at your lung clinic.

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