Lungs are the Indispensable engine for the human body, responsible for the breath, the force that powers our human body. These two sponge-like structures take in oxygen and transport it to the body’s cells, where it is used to produce energy.
The vitality of the human body and its health are measured based on the health of the lungs. Good lung health is indeed a reflection of a healthy body, and suboptimal lung health can lead to weakness and compromise the proper functioning of the entire body. Like strengthening and maintaining an engine, lungs must be adequately cared for and held for optimal functioning.
“It is at the age of 35 that the health and vitality of the lungs begin to decline. The elasticity of the lung decreases, reducing the lung volume, respiratory muscles weaken, reducing the ability to breathe deeply, air sacs become less efficient in exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide, and blood vessels become weaker in transporting oxygen. The entire respiratory system tends to weaken as we age, so we must take necessary steps to strengthen it to slow the decline and maintain optimal lung health,” says a Padma Shri Awardee and lung specialist in Hyderabad, Dr. Alla Gopala Krishna Gokhale.
So, with this input, let us look at five tips that can help us improve our lung health and reduce age-related decline in the lungs.
5 Simple Everyday Tips for Stronger & Healthier Lungs:
Walk & Run for Healthy Lungs:
Running and walking are cardiovascular exercises that does sea of good for the lungs. These exercises increase lung capacity, strengthen respiratory muscles, and improve oxygen exchange. In essence, running and brisk walking, along with swimming, benefit the lungs and improve their health when performed regularly.
Avoiding Smoking & Second-hand Smoke:
Smoking is the most effective and fastest way to destroy lung health. This addictive habit accelerates lung damage, making it harder to heal and increasing the risk of all types of lung diseases. According to lung transplant surgeon in Hyderabad Dr. Alla Gopala Krishna Gokhale, second-hand smoke is also as dangerous as first-hand smoking, even for a brief amount of time.
Smoke emanating from the cigarette contains more than 7,000 chemicals that irritate the lungs, narrow the airways, and damage the air sacs upon exposure, he adds.
Eat a Healthy Diet:
Running, swimming, and even brisk walking stress the lungs and improve their health, but that only happens when you power yourself with a healthy diet. So ensure plenty of whole foods like seeds, nuts, lentils, fruits, vegetables, whole foods and lean protein sources. Please avoid sugary beverages and foods that trigger inflammation and contribute to organ damage.
Breathing Exercises Are Your Friend:
Deep diaphragmatic breathing is the most inexpensive, simple, and effective way to improve lung health. But no one is ever born with the habit of deep breathing, and everyone has to learn the correct way of breathing. Consult a healthcare professional to identify and adopt breathing exercises for stronger lungs.
Get Regular Check-ups with a Lung Specialist:
No matter how careful and diligent one tends to be in maintaining and improving one’s health, a health problem can stealthily strike from any corner at any time. With the alarming rise in air pollution, infections, and a lack of proper care, the lungs are the most affected part of the human body.
So, it is always advisable to consult the right lung specialist to nip potential problems and complications in the bud. A lung specialist can help you identify the troubles that are often invisible and assist you in making the right lifestyle changes, medication, and treatment options. If you are in Hyderabad, you can contact the leading lung specialist and lung transplant surgeon in Hyderabad, Dr. Alla Gopala Krishna Gokhale here.