Did you know that October is also known as Healthy Lung Month? Organizations around the country use this time to educate people about the importance of protecting our lungs against harmful forces such as air pollution, smoking, mold, and bronchitis. Here at Montes Medical Group, we work hard to ensure our patients are focusing on lung health, especially if they are concerned about asthma or other respiratory issues. To ensure proper care, it is important to understand how our lungs work & adopt healthy habits that keep them functioning at full capacity.
So how can we ensure healthy breathing and proper lung function? Fortunately, our bodies have a natural defense system designed to protect our lungs and keep germs at bay. There are also many things we can do to protect our lungs and keep them working well for years to come. Keep reading to learn more!
Understanding Lung Function
To understand how to maintain healthy lungs, it helps to learn more about our respiratory system. Our lungs are located on each side of our heart, inside our chest cavity. As the main organs of the respiratory system, our lungs take in air and work with other body systems to circulate blood, nutrients, and oxygens. When we breathe in, air enters our airways and travels down into air sacs, or alveoli, in our lungs. Inhaled, oxygen-rich air diffuses into our blood and carbon dioxide, a waste gas, moves from our blood to the lungs to be exhaled. This is called “gas exchange” and is what keeps us alive.
Our airways are pipes that carry oxygen-rich air to the alveoli in our lungs. They also transport waste gas carbon dioxide out of our lungs.
Here are the components that make up our airways:
- The mouth
- Our nose and nasal cavity, sinuses
- Larynx (voice box)
- The trachea (windpipe)
- Bronchial tubes or bronchi
- Bronchioles
Issues Impacting Lung Function
There are several types of lung diseases or disorders that can impact lung function negatively. These diseases can be caused by many factors such as bacteria, viruses, or even fungal infections. Environmental factors can also play a role leading to complications with lung cancer, mesothelioma, or asthma. Smoking cigarettes is still a major cause of lung cancer around the world, along with breathing secondhand smoke. Additional factors such as obesity, poor diet, hypertension, and depression can also have an impact.
Tips for Keepings Lungs Healthy
Thankfully, there are many ways to protect our lungs and keep them strong as we age. Here is a list of precautions we can all take in our daily lives:
- Quitting smoking cigarettes, cigars, or vaping
- Avoiding secondhand smoke
- Limiting exposure to outdoor air pollution
- Reducing indoor air pollution at home and work
- Strengthen the lungs through physical activity
- Get vaccinated for common illnesses (seasonal flu, COVID-19)
- Use protective gear and face masks when appropriate
- Eat foods that promote lung function (broccoli, oats, beans, fruits)
- Avoid foods that inflame the body & lungs (high-sugar, high-fat, processed foods)
- Maintain good posture (for easier breathing)
- Practice belly breathing (diaphragmic breathing)
It’s important to talk to your doctor if you have any risk factors for lung conditions. If you have a family history of lung problems, that can also play a role in determining your risk levels for future respiratory problems. At your next appointment, work with your healthcare provider to develop a preventative health plan so you can avoid unwanted lung problems in the future. Early prevention is very beneficial in reducing risk and keeping lungs functioning well for years to come.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many ways to ensure our lungs stay healthy and functional for years to come. Take time to understand how our lungs work and talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have about your respiratory system. Focus on healthy lung habits in daily life, such as staying active, avoiding pollutants, eating nutritious foods, and avoiding smoke inhalation. Long-term preventative care can go a long way in keeping our lungs strong while reducing our risk of respiratory disease.