Tips for healthy lungs

While most respiratory conditions can’t be prevented, a combination of medical interventions, lifestyle changes, and preventive measures can significantly improve the quality of life for those affected by these conditions. It’s recommended to protect your lungs as much as possible by following these tips:

Quit smoking and avoid
second-hand smoke

Smoking increases the risk of some respiratory diseases such as lung cancer and COPD which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Cigarette smoke can narrow air passages and make breathing more difficult. 

Only 24 hours after you quit smoking, your body begins to repair the damage and your risk of disease goes down the longer you resist a cigarette.

Stay up-to-date with vaccinations

Many respiratory diseases occur due to viruses. Get vaccinations periodically to prevent diseases that can harm your lungs such as COVID-19 and flu. If you’re 65 or older or have other health problems, you also should also get a pneumonia shot. 

Keep the air inside your home clean

Regularly ventilating your living spaces, using air purifiers, and keeping your home free from cigarette smoke, mould, dust, household chemicals and other allergens can significantly improve indoor air quality. Indoor plants, dusting regularly, turning on the extractor fan when you cook and avoiding the use of aerosol products like air fresheners, hair spray and deodorant, are just a few of the many tips to improve your indoor air quality.

Did you know?

Certain indoor plants, such as the peace lily and spider plant, can help purify the air by removing harmful toxins like formaldehyde and benzene, thus improving indoor air quality?

Wash your hands

Hand hygiene helps you avoid the risk of contracting a viral infection. Use soap and water or alcohol hand  sanitiser to clean your hands regularly. This can help stop the spread of bacteria and viruses that cause respiratory infections.

Wear a mask

If you work in places where you are exposed to dust, vapours, harsh chemicals or toxic gases, always wear a mask or respirator to filter damaging substances out of the air.

Exercise regularly

Regular exercise can help your lungs and heart work more efficiently. When you're physically active, your heart and lungs work harder to get additional oxygen to your muscles. Do some physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day to lighten the load on your lungs.

Increase your lung capacity with deep breathing

Get into the habit of doing some deep breathing exercises every day to strengthen the muscles you use to breathe and increase your lung capacity. Breathing exercises are a non-pharmaceutical way to help people with lung conditions such as asthma and COPD manage some aspects of their condition.

See your doctor regularly

Visit your doctor regularly for a check-up to catch any lung problems early. This is especially true for lung cancer, which sometimes goes undetected until it is advanced. Talk to your doctor if you experience shortness of breath, pain when breathing, dizziness with a change of activity, a persistent cough, wheezing or coughing with exercise or pain in the airway.