Breathe Easy: Pointers for Protecting Your Lungs for Life

We only have one set of lungs, and we need to look after them. There are many simple things that we can do to protect our lungs on a daily basis to reduce the risk of being affected by a number of potentially serious lung conditions. Here are a few of the most important to stick to.

Don’t Smoke

It’s obvious, but it is the most important thing of all. Smoking harms your lungs in so many ways, so don’t start up”and if you already smoke, make a real effort to quit.

It is the number one thing you can do to reduce your risk of diseases and keep your lungs healthy.

Smoking increases the risk of lung cancer. It also increases the risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Some people have COPD and don’t even realize it, thinking it is instead just a bad cough.

If you do not smoke, avoid smoky environments, make sure you keep yourself and your family out of smoky homes, and don’t allow anyone to smoke in your home or in your car.

Follow Safe Hygiene Practices

Some lung diseases are spread from people to people. One of these is tuberculosis (TB), which is caused by the mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, and it is a form of pneumonia.

It is not common in the USA, and it can be cured with antibiotics. But it can be very unpleasant”and very serious in some cases. You can also reduce your risk by getting the BCG vaccine, so make sure your children get this.

Avoid Contact with Asbestos

Asbestos is one of the most dangerous materials for your lungs. It used to be used in many buildings before the danger was discovered and unfortunately it can still pose a risk if you carry out work on a building with asbestos present.

Exposure to the dust can cause mesothelioma, a type of cancer. And although rare, it is not often curable.

If you think you have been affected with asbestos exposure at some point in your life, you may want to get your lungs checked out for signs of any damage. Also look out for symptoms including swollen fingertips, a high temperature, and chest pain. And if it turns out that you are affected by mesothelioma, you may want to hire a lawyer as there is a chance you can claim compensation.

Make Your Home a Safer Environment

We spend a lot of time inside our homes, so it makes sense to ensure the environment is as safe as possible for our lungs.

Mold spores can affect your breathing, so make sure you sort out any problems with mold or damp in your home. If anyone in your household is sensitive or allergic to dust, or has asthma, make sure you keep the home clean and free of dust and dust mites.

It is also a good general practice to ensure you get a good amount of ventilation in your home. Open the windows regularly, or install a ventilation system, to ensure the air changes regularly.

Look After Your Lungs

Your lungs are so precious, but they can be affected by disease if you do not look after them properly. Make sure you take steps to look after your lungs, and those of your family members, by avoiding high-risk activities like smoking and asbestos exposure, and do your best to keep your lungs safe.

Danielle Chadwick is in her first year as a medical student. A keen writer she enjoys writing health and medical related articles when she isn’t studying. Look out for her articles around the web.