Protect Your Lungs

Lungs are one of the most important parts of yourlot of germs and your chances of falling ill may
body, which helps you to breathe. We intake oxygenincrease.
and breathe out carbon dioxide. The quality of air that6. Do your best to control outdoor air pollution and
we intake results in the good or bad health of ourkeep the air we breathe clean.
lungs. There are many types of lung diseases like7. Learn about indoor air pollution and what you can do
asthma, bronchitis, allergy, lung cancer, Sarcoidosis,to reduce your exposure. For example, turn on the
Interstitial lung disease, Tuberculosis, sleep apnea etc.exhaust fan when you cook and avoid using aerosol
There are different causes for these diseases but theproducts (e.g. aerosol can of hair spray).
following are the basic points that can be considered8. Regular physical exercise is good for your whole
to protect the lung disease.body and especially your lungs. Exercise makes your
1. If you don't smoke, don't start!lungs stronger and better.
2. If you smoke or use tobacco, quit. Quitting is the9. Pay attention to your health at work. Avoid
most important thing you can do to keep your lungsbreathing toxic fumes from chemicals, solvents, and
healthy and prevent disease. Smoking damages yourpaints. Wear a protective mask when you work with
lungs and increases your risk for a number ofchemicals and report unsafe working conditions.
diseases including lung cancer. It's never too late to quit.10. At work or at home stay away from asbestos.
3. Teach your children about the dangers of smokingAlways wear protective clothing including a facemask
and be a role model by not smoking or by quitting now.if you are working with asbestos.
4. Avoid second-hand smoke. Breathing the smoke11. Check if there are high levels of Radon gas at your
from cigarettes and pipes increases your risk for thehome or workplace. People working in mines are often
same diseases that affect people who smoke. Don'texposed to Radon gas. Kits are found in hardware
allow smoking in your home, in the car, or at work.stores that help in measuring the amount of Radon
5. Many lung diseases are highly contagious so onegas at home.
has to make sure that they wash their and hands and12. Eat a healthy diet. Use a plenty of fruits and green
cover their coughs and sneezes as this may result invegetables in your diet.
common viral infections such as cough, cold and flu.13. The Indian way of Yoga, Pranayam (Breathing
Wash your hands properly as your hands can carry aexercise) is also very helpful in protecting your lungs.