Like other organs in our body, our lungs may be taken for granted. We don’t realize our lungs’ role in keeping us healthy. We can perform better with a pair of healthy lungs as our blood gets sufficient oxygen, improving our overall mental and physical fitness. As per the Rush University Medical Center experts, regular breathing isn’t enough to maintain peak oxygen levels throughout the body.
Failing to take good care of lungs, we are at the risk of common lung diseases, causing irritations like lung inflammation, swelling, asthma, the abnormal build-up of mucus, pneumonia. Leaving these infections untreated may lead to fatal diseases such as lung cancer.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), four in every 100 adults have been diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). A total of 873,000 COPD cases where people visited the hospital emergency departments.
One of the most lethal lung diseases – mesothelioma, contracts from prolonged exposure to asbestos which can be found in high-risk occupations. Every year, around 3000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma, mostly war veterans (Airforce and Navy). This disease is also common among mineworkers, construction workers, firefighters, and the first line of defense workers. Visit mesotheliomahope.com for more details on disease prognosis, treatment, and post-diagnosis care.
While mesothelioma is just one example of lethal lung disease, many fatal diseases can be controlled with preventive care. So, let’s look at some measures and regular exercise to help you maintain your healthy lungs.
Wear a Mask
Though it’s unavoidable, air pollution is the cause of many lung infections. So, if the air quality is poor, consider wearing protective masks to filter out the pollution. Many doctors advise inhaling steam (from boiled water) before going to sleep to avoid excessive dryness. So, if you’re in an area that has excessive pollution, you should check in with your doctor more often for early detection.
Regular Breathing Exercises
The simplest way to increase the lung capacity is by increasing the inhalations and exhalations’ length. You can do this by counting the duration of your regular breath. The point of this exercise is to maintain the equilibrium of your inhale-exhale duration ratio. So, if the count of six to inhale, it should take the exact count to exhale.
Believe it or not, laughing is also a great form of exercise for your lungs. It works out your abdominal muscles and increases your lung capacity. Different exercises can help improve your breathing and lung capacity. Breathing exercises are a regular part of training for sports and other activities such as yoga, meditation, swimming, and High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT).
Stay Hydrated
Often people forget to hydrate themselves, which is an essential part of maintaining a healthy body. Staying well hydrated by drinking enough water helps keep your lungs’ muscle lining thin. When your lungs’ muscle lining is thin, your lungs function better as more oxygen enters your bloodstream.
Maintain a Proper Hygiene
The easiest way to ensure hygiene is to wash your hands regularly and adequately with soap and water. It’s also advisable to shower once a day, especially after being outdoors for long. Maintaining proper hygiene reduces the chance of infections, thus, keeping your immunity high.
Eat Healthily
Plenty of water with a low-fat diet is the best way to ensure your lungs’ health. It is also essential to take cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and fruits like pomegranates, oranges, apples, and grapefruit. These foods help provide nutrients that keep your lungs healthy.
Final Thoughts
While you take precautions and follow the steps to keep your lungs healthy, it’s strongly advisable to monitor symptoms of lung infection or any pulmonary damage. Incorporating healthy habits in your routine contributes each day to maintaining healthier lungs. Regular consumption of healthy food keeps immunity high, reducing the toll a sickness can have on your body.
If you like this article and wish to add more healthy habits that you see fit, be sure to add them in the comments section below.
