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October is National Healthy Lung Month

Lung diseases affect a large number of Americans.

Your respiratory system is always hard at work. As we age, our lung capacity declines, making necessary gas exchange difficult.

Healthy Lung Month raises awareness about the escalation of lung disease in the United States and how to keep your lungs healthy.

Here are some tips from the American Lung Association to improve the health of your lungs.

  1. Stop Smoking and Vaping! (Also avoid secondhand smoke). Quitting smoking is the fastest way to improve lung health. Cigarette smoke narrows air passages and makes breathing difficult. The longer someone smokes, the more it can cause chronic inflammation and swelling in the lungs. Smoking puts you at greater risk for lung cancer or COPD. Twenty-four hours after you quit smoking, your body begins to repair the damage, and the longer you resist a cigarette, the lower the risk.
  2. Exercise! When you are physically active, the lungs and heart work harder and become stronger. Your body becomes more efficient at getting oxygen into the bloodstream and transporting it to the working muscles. Keep it up, and you will become less likely to get short of breath during exercise.
  3. Eat Healthy! Stay hydrated! A balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes (Mediterranean) reduces inflammation and improves our immune system and microbiome. Our gut microbiome affects lung health. Dehydration makes the mucus thick and sticky, impairs respiration, and increases the risk of contracting an illness. Drink water!
  4. Visit your healthcare provider regularly. Your healthcare provider should be the first to hear about any breathing problems you may be having. Don’t wait until it is advanced.
  5. Get vaccinated. This decreases the chance of contracting a respiratory disease like COVID-19, pneumococcal pneumonia, and RSV.
  6. Avoid air pollution exposure both indoors and outdoors. Check your local air quality report. Dust regularly, change air filters, and keep your house smoke-free to improve indoor air.
  7. Deep Breathe! It improves lung function and helps you manage stress.
  8. Wash your Hands to avoid infections. Use hand sanitizer as a backup when running water is unavailable.
  9. Avoid infection exposure! Wear a mask or socially distance.