Healthy lungs are essential for normal bodily functions. Not only do they provide an efficient and uninterrupted supply of oxygen to the blood, but they also filter out harmful substances from the air we inhale and exhale.
Our lungs make breathing easy, which is vital for performing almost every daily activity, from walking to exercise. Good lung health goes a long way in allowing the human body to sustain strenuous activities like lifting heavy loads.
As a result, taking good care of one’s lungs is imperative. Factors like smoking, infection, or a host of other diseases damage lung health. And while some of these things are not under our control, there are steps a person can take to ensure that their lungs stay in good shape.
It is said that a person who has health also has hope, and someone with hope has everything in the world. With this in mind, there shouldn’t be doubt about how important good lung health is for all of us. Here are some tips on how to take care of your lungs:
1. Get regular checkups
As with all other body parts, getting regular checkups is fundamental to ensuring the health of your lungs. Visiting a specialist on a timeline they recommend can help you know where you stand. This practice is also beneficial for nipping any rare diseases that have a chance of increasing as time goes on in the bud. For instance, pleural mesothelioma cancer, which occurs in the lining of the lungs, has a higher chance of successful treatment in patients in whom detection comes at an early stage.
It is a similar case with other ailments as well. Your physician can assess the health of your lungs on every checkup. Then, they can advise you on the next steps. They can tell you about food choices, exercise regimens, and other habits you need to adopt for better health.
While it may come as a surprise for many to get a checkup on their lungs, it can pay dividends in the long run. You can conveniently schedule the assessment session as part of your overall monthly examination.
2. Exercise on a constant basis
Experts recommend an average healthy human to have at least 30 minutes of exercise or movement as part of their daily routine. This is a practice that primes all organs to function appropriately. The heart, lungs, muscles, and other parts become efficient through exercise.
The human body is similar to machines in the nature that it performs better when it is constantly in use. An idle body accumulates excess fat and becomes lethargic, among many other things.
Naturally, exercise has a substantial impact when you are looking to maintain healthy lungs. You don’t need heavy movement or gym sessions. Simple exercises like brisk walks, gentle jogs, or skipping can get your lungs working and increase aerobic capacity. As you build core strength, the lungs become programmed to handle the body’s requirement for excess oxygen during a workout session. Not only do air sacs strengthen, but the diaphragm tightens as well, allowing the lungs to do their work efficiently.
3. Avoid indoor and outdoor air that is contaminated
Pollutants and allergens are present in both indoor and outdoor air. Indeed, there are more harmful agents in the air we breathe outside. Gases from vehicle exhaust, industrial waste, and numerous other things can enter the lungs to contaminate them. Some of the pollutants can accumulate inside the alveoli, making the soft natural tissues of the lung more rigid. As a result, the efficiency of your lungs and the overall respiratory system falls dramatically.
Similarly, since most of us spend most of our time indoors, breathing healthy, clean air is imperative. Chemicals inside the workplace or harmful gases that enter a building through air ducts can become a health hazard for employees.
While indoor air quality can be improved through the use of filtration systems and regular maintenance of HVACs, avoiding outdoor pollutants requires appropriate steps on a personal level.
Keep a regular check on the outdoor air quality in your area. Avoid going out or exercising on days when the air quality index is low. Moreover, it is best to avoid exercising in areas with constant heavy traffic. Avoid burning trash or other unnecessary items, as the resulting carbon monoxide can impact your healthy lungs. If there is no choice, wear a mask when walking in areas with low air quality.
4. Focus on your posture
Lungs are soft organs that sit inside the rib cage. However, the space they take up can vary depending on several habits you adopt. Posture is one such thing. Most people sit in a chair for a significant portion of the day. The result is that the body assumes a bent position, which not only impacts our spinal cord, but also moves the diaphragm upwards. All these factors limit the space for the lungs to operate.
Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to address this issue. Posture correction gadgets are easily available in the market. These tools assist you in assuming the correct stance when sitting or standing. However, you need to focus on your own posture as well. Make a conscious effort to sit tall at times. Get a back pillow to help you sit up straight.
5. Join a breathing club
This is a solution that works for people who can’t exercise for any reason. A breathing club is a place where classes take place to teach efficient breathing practices for better lung health. The American Lung Association has a Better Breathers Club network with branches around the country. You can enlist yourself with any reputable breathing club in your area to learn techniques for improving your lung health.
Conclusion
A healthy lung is essential to an efficiently functioning human body. Lungs ensure that the body is constantly receiving its share of pure oxygen in the blood. There are several steps that can be taken in this regard, like exercise, avoiding polluted air, skipping practices like smoking, and posture correction. Most importantly, the journey towards healthier lungs requires commitment and motivation towards self-care. This factor is essential for sustainable practices toward ensuring that your lungs are healthy and efficient. After all, healthy lungs are vital to a healthy body.
