The vast majority of people want to improve their health. However, the protection and upkeep of their pulmonary health is not something that enters their minds very often. It’s high time that was changed. The National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute is a reliable source that reports that chronic lower respiratory disorders, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), were the third greatest cause of mortality.
When lung cancer is taken into account, the number rises. According to the American Lung Association (ALA), lung cancer is the primary reason people lose their lives to cancer, and this holds for both men and women.
The fact of the matter is that your lungs, along with the rest of your body, including your heart, joints, and other organs, age with time. They are more likely to become less flexible and lose strength, both of which might make it more difficult for them to breathe. But you may better preserve the health of your lungs and keep them performing at their best level even into your senior years if you adopt certain healthy behaviors, such as not smoking and not drinking too much alcohol, as well as using a reusable n95 respirator mask when needed.
Drink More Water
Consuming more water is one simple step that may be taken to enhance one’s lung health. Water accounts for around sixty percent of the total weight of your body. Maintaining a healthy level of bodily water helps guarantee that every organ in the body performs as it should.
Even if we acquire water through the meals and beverages that we eat daily, it is still very necessary for us to actively drink water. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine say, while not everyone’s hydration requirements are the same, that you should aim to meet these minimums:
- Daily hydration requirements for men are 125 ounces.
- Each day, women should drink at least 90 ounces of liquids.
Keep Moving
Aerobic exercise is beneficial for your overall health since it increases your muscle and bone strength, as well as your lung capacity and lung function.
Adults should engage in aerobic exercise for at least 150 minutes per week at a moderate level or for at least 75 minutes per week at a vigorous intensity, according to recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Naturally, the health advantages of exercise increase in direct proportion to the amount of activity that is performed.
Avoid Smoking
Tobacco smoke is the primary factor in the development of lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). When you decide to smoke, though, you risk more than just your health in some ways. Cigarette smoke has an effect not only on smokers but also on people around them.
Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for the health of your lungs. Never pick up the habit, or if you have, put an end to it right away. It is never too late to give up bad habits like smoking.
Improve Air Quality
The diesel engines and smokestacks that are located outside of your house are not the only sources of air pollution. There is also air pollution within the building.
To maintain a high level of indoor air quality, it is important to regularly dust, vacuum the carpets and rugs, and change the air filters. Additionally, you should check that the carbon monoxide detector in your home is operational and consider having your home checked for mold growth.
Laugh
The abdominal muscles may be strengthened and lung capacity increased by laughing, which is a terrific workout. Additionally, it cleans up your lungs by pushing enough stale air out that makes room for new air to reach more parts of the lung. This is how it works.
See Your Doctor
Regular checkups with your primary care doctor for wellness purposes assist to ensure that you have excellent lung health as well as good overall health. During a wellness check, your physician may listen to your breathing to discover any difficulties with your lung health that may be present.
Talk to your primary care physician if you suffer odd symptoms such as trouble breathing, shortness of breath, a persistent cough, wheezing, discomfort while breathing, or any other symptoms that are out of the ordinary. If you need more medical attention, your primary care physician may suggest that you see a pulmonologist, sometimes known as a lung doctor to help you.
