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Lung health is important year-round, but it is especially crucial during flu season – especially with COVID-19 around. As you get older, lung health becomes more of a topic as your immune system starts to decrease and you become more susceptible to illness. Visit AFC Urgent Care Waltham for any lower respiratory illness you may have. Our physicians can prescribe the right treatment to have you feeling your best again.
Why should I be concerned with lung health?
Any part of the body should be a concern when trying to become healthy. Regarding the lungs, illnesses such as COPD and asthma are very high on the cause of death lists for Americans. Lung cancer is the leading cancer that kills Americans each year, as well. As you get older, your lungs start to lose their strength, along with your other organs. By adopting healthy habits at an early age, your body can continue to improve optimally throughout your life.
Ways to improve lung health
Stop smoking (or don’t start)
Smoking is linked to all serious lung diseases, including lung cancer. By smoking, you are inviting mucus into your lungs that makes it difficult to clear out and inflames the tissue. Over time, this makes your airways more narrow and it more difficult to breathe. Smoking causes 90% of all lung cancer in men and women. As soon as twelve hours after quitting, your carbon monoxide levels begin to return to normal, your nerve endings start to regrow, and your risk of heart attack has decreased.
Exercise
In addition to quitting smoking, exercise is one of the best ways to improve lung health. When exercising, your lungs and heart work harder and become stronger over time. Strive for exercises that force you to breathe hard, such as cardio. When exercising, your breathing increased to 40 to 60 times a minute, compared to a resting 15 times a minute. Exercising regularly can help to slow the aging process on your lungs and keep them healthier for longer.
Avoid pollutants
Air pollutants such as smoke or other chemicals can cause long-term damage to your lungs. As you age, your lungs are less likely to be resistant to these toxins and can become more vulnerable to infections. Avoid secondhand smoke, avoid high traffic areas, and take precautions if working with air pollutants.
Additionally, indoor air pollutants can also be harmful to the lungs after long exposure. This includes dust, synthetic air fresheners, mold, or pet dander.
Lung health is important year-round, but it is especially crucial during flu season – especially with COVID-19 around. As you get older, lung health becomes more of a topic as your immune system starts to decrease and you become more susceptible to illness. Visit AFC Urgent Care Waltham for any lower respiratory illness you may have. Our physicians can prescribe the right treatment to have you feeling your best again.
Why should I be concerned with lung health?
Any part of the body should be a concern when trying to become healthy. Regarding the lungs, illnesses such as COPD and asthma are very high on the cause of death lists for Americans. Lung cancer is the leading cancer that kills Americans each year, as well. As you get older, your lungs start to loose their strength, along with your other organs. By adopting healthy habits at an early age, your body can continue to improve optimally throughout your life.
Ways to improve lung health
Stop smoking (or don’t start)
Smoking is linked to all serious lung diseases, including lung cancer. It is no secret that smoking cigarettes is bad for you. By smoking, you are invited mucus into your lungs that makes it difficult to clear out and inflames the tissue. Over time, this makes your airways more narrow and it more difficult to breathe. Smoking causes 90% of all lung cancer in men and women. As soon as twelve hours after quitting, your carbon monoxide levels begin to return to normal, your nerve endings start to regrow, and your risk of heart attack has decreased.
Exercise
In addition to quitting smoking, exercise is one of the best ways to improve lung health. When exercising, your lungs and heart work harder and become stronger over time. Strive for exercises that force you to breathe hard, such as cardio. When exercising, your breathing increased to 40 to 60 times a minute, compared to a resting 15 times a minute. Exercising regularly can help to slow the aging process on your lungs and keep them healthier for longer.
Avoid pollutants
Air pollutants such as smoke or other chemicals can cause long-term damage to your lungs. As you age, your lungs are less likely to be resistant to these toxins and can become more vulnerable to infections. Avoid second hand smoke, avoid high traffic areas, and take precautions if working with air pollutants.
Additionally, indoor air pollutants can also be harmful to the lungs after long exposure. This includes dust, synthetic air fresheners, mold, or pet dander.
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