Everyone Should Know about Healthy Lungs

Smoking is not the only way to keep your lungs in good shape. Learn how your lungs work and why lung health is important. Each time you breathe, oxygen is transferred from your lungs into your blood. Carbon dioxide is expelled from your lungs when you exhale. It happens every day thousands of times, but unless you suffer from a respiratory condition, you probably never give it a second thought. Our bodies are equipped with a natural defence system that protects our lungs from germs. There are many things which can and do harm our lungs. You may not even be aware that you are causing irreparable lung damage until symptoms or problems arise. With concerns over COVID-19 and seasonal flu, strong and healthy lungs have become more important than ever. But lung health is an essential part of our health and wellbeing at every stage of life. It’s important to take care of your lungs. It is crucial to understand the factors that may damage your lungs so you can change your behaviour or take the appropriate action.

Smoking

Everyone knows that smoking cigarettes can have serious health effects, including a dramatically increased risk of lung carcinoma. Did you know smoking can also cause chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic bronchitis? Smoking can cause chronic inflammation and narrow the airways, making it difficult to breathe. The carcinogens found in cigarettes also damage the lungs’ spongy tissue. This damage may cause lung cancer over time. Even after decades or years of smoking, you can reduce your cancer risk and other health conditions by quitting. Find out more about El Camino Health’s smoking cessation programs.

Air quality outdoors

We are all aware of the bad air quality during fire season. Many of us experience its effects, such as difficulty breathing, coughing and feeling breathless, even with a minimal amount of exertion. Although minimal exposure to air pollution is unlikely to cause permanent damage, prolonged exposure to it can lead to asthma and chronic bronchitis as well as diminished lung capacity or even cancer. You can’t avoid bad air completely but you can minimize or avoid outdoor activities when the air is unhealthy. Keep your windows closed and use a HEPA filter to reduce fine particulate (inhalable) matter.

Indoor air quality

Even some cooking methods, such as using wood to burn, can have a negative impact on the quality of air in your home. Start by cleaning your home to keep it healthy. Dust and vacuum your home at least twice per week. Wash bedding and towels in hot water at least once a week to kill dust mites. Use environmentally-friendly cleaning products without a strong scent. Be sure to ventilate your kitchen area and avoid using cooking methods that generate a lot smoke. Change your air filter regularly and consider an air purifier or HEPA filter. Open your windows to let in fresh air when the air outside is clean.

Vaping

In the last 10 years, vaping, or e cigarettes, have been extremely popular among teens and young adults. This “smokeless alternative” to cigarette smoke is not safe and can actually cause lung damage. Researchers don’t fully understand how vaping affects long-term health. However, they know that the eliquid used to produce the vapor inhaled contains many irritants that can cause lung damage and heart disease. Vitamin E is also found in many vaping products. This vitamin is safe to take orally, but can cause irritation when inhaled. Vitamin E can be found in lung tissue of nearly everyone who has suffered from lung damage due to vaping. Vaping for a long time or in large quantities can lead to bronchiolitis, also known as popcorn lung, which causes wheezing and coughing. It can also cause lipoid pneumonitis, a serious condition that occurs when vaping oil causes inflammation of the lungs. Vaping is not as harmful as cigarette smoking but the lung damage is still very real.

COVID-19

COVID-19, like many other respiratory diseases, can lead to lung damage that is permanent. We don’t know what COVID-19 will do to sufferers, as the disease is still so new. Doctors and scientists are learning about the long-term effects. The type of COVID-19 pneumonia that affects both lungs is usually severe and leads to Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a form lung failure which often requires patients to use a ventilator. Even after the illness has passed, lung injury can make breathing difficult and increase the risk of developing other lung problems. As more information is revealed about COVID-19’s long-term effects. It is more important than ever that you and your family continue to be protected from this serious disease. To stay healthy. you should wear a mask when outside the house, wash your hands frequently and use hand sanitizer. Avoid crowds and steer clear of people who have been exposed.

 

The lungs work hard to keep your body healthy and breathing. Lung disease is a serious condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. If you or someone in your family has any of the following symptoms, call your doctor right away

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