Lungs are a very vital part of our system. It is a part of the system that keeps us alive through breathing and the exchange of oxygen! Life without lungs is impossible! The heart cannot function without lungs. And the body cannot function without oxygen.
Knowingly or unknowingly we take our lungs for granted at times! Lung health is as important as the health of the overall body. Although our body has a natural defense system that auto protects the system by keeping the dust and germs away. However certain precautions need to be followed to keep the lungs healthy.
So now, the question is How to protect the Lungs by altering the life choice?
Quit Smoking:
Smoking tobacco is the primary fatal cause of the bad health of the lungs. Direct smoking or passive smoking, makes the lungs weak with blockage of the air filter sacs. The exchange of oxygen is not possible smoothly, which means less oxygen. As a consequence, the body is not able to oxidize the food in the body which leads to a whole lot of complications in the overall body.
When the blockage reaches a deadly stage, it may lead to lung cancer and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) as well. It causes chronic swelling in the lungs which leads to consistent bronchitis. Continuous smoking destroys lung tissue and may trigger changes that might result in lung cancer. Hence, it is advisable to not smoke at all, if smoking then it should be quit at the earliest possible. Not just direct smoking, even passive smokers are at a high risk of developing severe lung diseases.
Prevent Infection like:
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an extremely serious infection of the lungs caused due to bacteria or viruses. In pneumonia there is a build-up of mucus or fluid inside the nose and the entire airways which result in reduced airflow, leading to lesser oxygen and difficulty in breathing.
Some other factors like age, surroundings, and medical state can also increase the risk of pneumonia. The mucus formed in pneumonia blocks the lungs leading to bronchitis.
Prevention Guidelines:
- Regular and frequent washing your hands often with soap and water.
- Using Alcohol-based sanitizers as a substitute to hand wash.
- Avoiding crowds during the cold and flu season.
- Maintaining good oral hygiene by brushing at least twice can protecting from infections in mouth you from the germs in your mouth leading to infections.
- Getting the necessarily recommended vaccination of the flu at the right time, after consulting your physician.
- Quarantine yourself, if sick; prevent the spread of the infection further into the family.
- Maintain social distance, Cough with a mask on; cover your face, Minimum contact; no handshakes.
- Work from home to avoid spreading the infection in the workplace.
- Maintain oral hygiene to prevent harmful bacteria from moving to the lungs.
Asthma
Asthma is a usually genetic lung disorder that leads to the swelling up of the lung passages leading to constricted breathing, shortness of breath, and coughing.
Today, with the increased pollution, dust, and allergies everywhere, asthma affects everyone irrespective of gender or age. Asthma affects everyone differently.
While some have mild symptoms while others have severe symptoms triggered by stress, hectic lifestyle, pollutants, dust, etc.
Prevention Guidelines:
- Asthma can be prevented by following.
- A proper management plan in consultation with the physician.
- Avoiding pollen dust.
- Avoiding exposure to pollution.
- Following the medication as per the recommended dosage.
- Proper sleep patterns.
- Healthy lifestyle.
- Stress-free Life.
Basic Instruction For Lung Diseases Prevention
Get Regular Check-ups:
Regular check-ups play a very important role in the prevention of diseases. Any irregularity from normal functioning is an indication to get a check-up from the physician.
The more regular the check – up s, the earlier the detection and faster is the medication. Sometimes, with regular check-ups, an infection is killed even before it sets up.
Lung diseases can be avoided through regular tests and checkups. In case of any problem, they can be detected and worked upon for healthier lungs.
Exercise Every Day:
It is important to exercise every day. Practicing deep breathing or diaphragmatic breathing, exercise increases the rate of blood circulation in the body, Due to this, there is more oxygen available in the body and this oxygen makes the lungs more efficient.
The systems in the bodywork efficiently Hence, be it a walk, a jog or a run or cardio, etc, exercise is a must to keep the airways of the lungs open; to take oxygen and remove the toxic carbon dioxide from the body.
Also, exercise not only keeps the lungs healthy but keeps the overall health of the body fit. Young or old, male or female, exercise is a must to keep the lungs healthy and make breathing easy.
Avoid Exposure to Indoor Pollutants:
Use air purifiers at home or workplace to remove the germs. The lesser the exposure to the pollutants or germs lesser the risks for the lungs.
Minimum Exposure to Outdoor Pollutants:
Exposure to pollutants like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, from cars; smoke from tobacco. The air quality index outside nowadays has reached an all-time high with the increased car fumes and pollutants.
This means the oxygen present outdoors is very less. This affects the lungs very badly as it decreases the capacity of the lungs to absorb oxygen from outside. Climate changes also affect the lungs and breathing. Therefore, it is advisable to lessen exposure to outdoor pollutants.
Pulmonary Embolism (PE):
Long periods of inactivity or surgery might cause a blood clot that travels from the leg and blocks a lung artery, which is called a PE.
This reduces or prevents blood flow in the small blood vessels of the lungs sometimes leading to death.
Conclusion:
Lung diseases can be surely prevented if one thinks of leading a healthy lifestyle. For this, some efforts are needed from self and some precautions have to be taken consciously.
Giving up on smoking, leading a healthy lifestyle, reducing the exposure to outdoor and indoor pollutants with frequent exercises, and consultations with the physician will aid in the better functioning of the lungs.
With these precautions, the airways of the lungs will stay open and the lungs will stay healthy! The body will have sufficient oxygen circulation and the overall fitness will be the highest.
