During this pandemic, wearing masks, maintaining social distance, hand hygiene etc. has become a part of our daily routine for most of us. By the way, these methods are very effective in avoiding getting infected with the coronavirus and are also very effective in maintaining immunity and improving the body’s power to fight infection. But getting vaccinated is one way of doing this and another way is completely under your control; Begin by focusing on your lungs. On this Dr. Puneet Khanna, Head of Department and Consultant, Respiratory Medicine, gave much important information.
This spongy pair of air-filled body parts are on either side of the chest and have a major role in the body. These add oxygen to the bloodstream (red blood cells), which subsequently flow throughout the body and continue to flow. When you exhale, they help the body get rid of carbon dioxide.
Most of healthy people do not know about their body parts, such as lungs or lungs, because they are able to breathe easily and do their daily activities without any trouble or effort. But harming the vital organs of the body, damage to these organs can lead to a serious condition and sometimes this condition can also be fatal.
With ageing and time, our lungs become less flexible and their ability to maintain oxygen levels is lost. Apart from this, those who use tobacco i.e. bidi, cigarette, hookah etc. can harm their lungs, because tobacco smoke contains carbon monoxide, which replaces oxygen in the blood. By this, this part of the body is deprived of essential oxygen. It is important to understand that the lungs, like the rest of the body, require daily care and can be managed.
Every year on this day World No Tobacco Day is celebrated all over the world, so let’s know about effective tricks related to keeping the lungs healthy on this day.
Avoid alcohol and cigarettes
This is the best way to avoid any difficulty related to lungs. Many chemicals enter the lungs with cigarette smoke. This narrows the airways and causes difficulty in breathing. Smoking can cause a permanent type of inflammation in the lungs, which can further lead to bronchitis. Over time, smoking destroys lung tissue and can trigger changes that progress into cancer. If you smoke and are unable to quit on your own, seek help from a health care provider.
Exercise is necessary
It doesn’t matter whether you are young or old, thin or heavy, whether you have a chronic disease or not. Physical activities keep your lungs healthy. The heart beats faster while exercising and the lungs work more. The body needs more oxygen to fuel your muscles. Lungs work more for this. In this way, the more work you do, the more your lungs will work and stay healthy.
Stay away from pollution
Smoking or pollution of other’s cigarette is also harmful for the lungs. The gas coming out of the car or the construction site is harmful. Avoid such places where there is a possibility of pollution. If it is difficult to avoid them, give relief to your lungs as much as possible and stay in that place for as little time.
Avoid infection
Infection can threaten the lungs, especially with age. There are many ways to avoid getting infected. By maintaining cleanliness, you can avoid viruses or germs that may be present in the surrounding environment. Washing hands with soap and using an alcohol-based sanitiser is good for you. Mouth hygiene is essential to prevent the germs of the mouth from spreading infection. If you keep getting sick, keep your distance from others to prevent the spread of the infection.
Eat a nutritious balanced diet
A balanced diet will help you stay healthy and fit, as well as prevent infections. Good nutrition will also control your symptoms. According to the British Lung Foundation, a well-balanced diet consisting of five major food groups is essential to keeping you and your lungs healthy. Include these food groups in your diet – fruits and vegetables, starchy carbohydrates, proteins, dairy foods and oils, so that you are sure to get all the nutrients you need to stay healthy and fit.
How to increase lung capacity in COVID-19…
- Any exercise that allows you to breathe properly, like brisk walking, running, swimming or cycling, helps in improving lung capacity marginally. Improving lung capacity does not require extensive weight training or high-intensity exercise.
- People with exercise-induced asthma (asthma) should warm up appropriately before exercising with prescribed medications.
- Patients with emphysema, bronchitis and asthma should practice deep breathing techniques. Those who do not have such a problem should also do so. Diaphragmatic breathing allows for deep breathing, which strengthens the diaphragm muscle in the abdomen that separates the lungs from the lungs.
- Eating a balanced diet with the right amount of protein and antioxidants also helps to strengthen respiratory muscles and lung immunity.
- Drink enough water to stay hydrated. It is as important for the lungs as it is for the rest of the body.
- People with allergies or any lung disease should get regular pneumonia and flu vaccines as advised.
- Pollution inside or outside the house also negatively affects the capacity of the lungs. In view of the recent incidents, if you leave the house, wear a mask at all times.
- Gaining weight also reduces the capacity of the lungs, because abdominal fat does not allow the lungs to expand properly. Eating right, adequate exercise and avoiding toxic breathing in any form is the key to keeping the lungs healthy.
Photo Courtesy: Freepik
Read: COVID-19 Home Remedies: How To Avoid Coronavirus