Preventing lung disease can be simpler than you think with minor changes in your day-to-day life. If lung disease goes untreated or unnoticed, it can have a significant impact and can lead to worse conditions such as cancer. If you are interested in how you can prevent lung disease, then continue reading.
Stop Smoking
Smoking can damage your lungs and put you at a higher risk of developing lung diseases such as cancer or COPD, which includes bronchitis and emphysema. Cigarette smoke can narrow the passageways which will make it more difficult for you to breathe. This is because cigarettes release harmful substances into your lungs, such as toxins and carcinogens, every time you inhale. This can cause chronic inflammation which can lead to chronic bronchitis. Over time, smoking cigarettes can destroy your lung tissue and may trigger changes that can lead to cancer. If you do not smoke, do not start. If you do smoke, it is not too late to benefit from quitting.
Avoid Second and Third-Hand Smoke
Breathing in the smoke that people exhale from cigarettes can put you at the same risk as those who inhale the smoke firsthand. Do not allow people to smoke in your home, car or at work and stay away from third-hand smoke which is smoke that can be found in carpets, walls, etc. If you live in a house where a smoker previously lived, clean the carpets and paint the walls with low VOC paint.
Prevent Infection
Having a cold or other respiratory infection can be dangerous at times. However, there are a few things that you can do in order to protect yourself. The first preventative measure you can take is to wash your hands often with soap and water. If you are unable to wash your hands, then an alcohol-based cleaner is a good substitute. Avoiding crowds during cold and flu season is another thing you can do to make sure that you are staying healthy. Another measure you can take is to make sure you are getting vaccinated every year against influenza and contacting your doctor to see if the pneumonia vaccine is right for you. Finally, if you are sick, keep your distance. Protect the people around you and stay home from school, work or other public functions until you feel better.
Talk to Your Doctors
Seeing your doctor regularly for a check-up can make sure you stay healthy and help prevent diseases. This is especially important for lung disease which can easily go unnoticed until it is serious. During your appointment, your healthcare provider will listen to your breathing to make sure everything is okay and listen to any concerns that you have.
Making these small changes can help you live a long and healthy life, free of any major lung diseases. Do not think that because you have lived a certain way for years that things cannot change; they can. You can still benefit from them today! We offer respiratory consultations with a specialist physician as well as pulmonary function testing to help keep you healthy!