Oxygen is essential for the survival of a human being, each cell of the body requires it. Oxygen and other gases are found in the air we breathe. When oxygen reaches the lungs, it is transported to the bloodstream and carried throughout the body.
Oxygen is exchanged for carbon dioxide, a waste gas at each cell in your body. This waste gas is subsequently carried back to the lungs, where it is taken from the circulation and expelled. Gas exchange is an essential function that your lungs and respiratory system undertake spontaneously.
Your respiratory system does more than just exchange gases; it also helps you breathe.
These are some of the functions carried out by your lungs:
- Bringing air to a comfortable body temperature and moisturising it to the appropriate humidity level.
- Defending your body from potentially dangerous toxins. This is accomplished by coughing, sneezing, filtering, or by ingesting them.
- Take care of your sense of smell.
When your lung health is compromised, it has an influence on your quality of life and can decrease your life prematurely. Therefore, it is extremely essential to take care of your lungs.
1. Do not smoke
This is a great start to enhance lung health right away. The most common cause for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is considered to be smoking. It is responsible for 80% of all COPD fatalities. COPD is thus avoidable. You should also keep in mind that smoking has an impact on not only your health but also the health of others around you. If you’re a smoker, contact your doctor about ways to quit smoking.
2. Encourage those around you not to smoke
You can be exposed to secondhand smoke even if you don’t smoke. Involuntary smoking, also known as passive smoking, occurs when people are exposed to tobacco vapours. If you’re around tobacco smokers, there’s no way to escape the toxic compounds in cigarettes. Toxic chemicals present in secondhand smoke are identical to those contained in cigarettes.
Secondhand smoke, like smoking, is known to cause cancer and can lead to respiratory health issues and other disorders. Secondhand smoke contains about 7,000 compounds that have been identified in secondhand smoke. Encourage your friends and family members to quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.
3. Check for mould and install carbon monoxide detectors
Mould comes in a variety of forms, each of which can cause a variety of respiratory issues. Mould may develop in any dark, chilly, and moist environment. It has the ability to colonize both inside and outdoors, as well as behind walls and in attics. Consider testing for mould if you discover your entire family is suffering from respiratory problems.
Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed. If you already have detectors, ensure they’re in working order and that you check them on a regular basis. This can assist to reduce your family’s carbon monoxide and radon exposure. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that can cause respiratory issues, sickness, and even death. Radon is the second largest cause of lung cancer, and it also causes respiratory difficulties. Radon and carbon monoxide, cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted, the only way to tell if you’re safe is to have a functional detector.
4. Improve the indoor air quality in your home
You might think that outdoor air is less pure than interior air because of automobile exhaust and smokestacks spilling smoke into the air. Indoor air quality, on the other hand, is frequently far poorer than outside air quality. Make every effort to enhance the air quality in your house. To decrease pollutants and particles in the air, change air filters, clean and vacuum regularly. Consider adding indoor plants to help enhance the quality of the air you breathe. As the weather becomes cooler, it’s even more crucial to enhance indoor air quality since people prefer to spend more time indoors and less time outdoors.
5. Exercise
Exercising is a great technique to strengthen your lungs. Your respiratory health will improve as you use your lungs more. The opposite of a vicious loop is a virtuous circle, in which healthy lungs make exercise and physical activity more joyful. Your lung health will improve as you exercise more, and you will enjoy exercise more.
6. Do breathing exercises
To enhance your breathing and lung health, you don’t need to run a marathon. Breathing exercises and practising your breathing can also help improve your respiratory health. One exercise includes standing up with your back arched, inhaling in and holding your breath for 10 seconds before expelling, a simple exercise that can be done even while watching TV.
7. Consume enough Vitamin D
Higher vitamin D levels were linked to enhanced lung function. Most individuals can receive enough vitamin D from the sun in the summer, depending on where they reside. It may be worthwhile to invest in vitamin D pills when the winter months approach and the sun fades. Oily fish, egg yolks, mushrooms, almonds and red meat are all good sources of vitamin D.
8. Hydration
Staying hydrated and drinking enough water is beneficial to your overall health, including your respiratory health. Maintaining enough hydration is a great method to keep your lungs healthy.
9. Hygiene
When it comes to lung illness, cancer, and other respiratory issues, good personal hygiene is always the first line of protection. Shower often, wash your hands with soap and water frequently, brush and floss your teeth, stay up to date on vaccines, and avoid crowds during flu season. You may go a long way towards protecting your lungs from harm and disease by taking measures and maintaining good personal hygiene.
Practise all the tips ritually and you will experience better lung health. If you are facing difficulty in your lungs you should consult a pulmonologist as soon as possible.
