Want to Keep Your Lungs Healthy? Here is what you need to know

Pulmonology | by Dr. Raja Dhar | Published on 24/06/2022

Just pause for a moment, close your eyes, and focus on your breathing. This is something that we do all our lives but rarely think about. Breathing is pertinent to our existence and it won't be possible without a healthy pair of lungs. In our day-to-day lives, we indulge in many activities that directly or indirectly impact our lungs, yet we hardly give it a thought. As per the experts from the top Pulmonology treatment Hospital in Kolkata, lung diseases have become very common in the past few years, especially after the Covid-19 scenario.

You will be surprised to know that the normal functioning of the lungs is very much linked to the working of many other organs and organ systems including the brain and the heart. If you are wondering why the answer is very simple. Every cell in our body needs oxygen and if the lungs are not functioning properly it can lead to a deficiency of the same. If the cells do not get enough oxygen, they will start to die, resulting in serious consequences like stroke and heart attack.

Luckily, many lung diseases are preventable with healthy lifestyle changes. Here are if you think that you need to know.

Keep your weight under check - Obese and overweight people get tired very easily and often fall short of breath after indulging in physical activity. All Although there can be many reasons behind it, the most common of these is that excessive body weight can drastically impact your lung volume, preventing it from expanding to its normal capacity. As such, you are not able to inhale enough oxygen. Not only this, extra abdominal fat can affect the ability of the diaphragm to draw in air, leaving very little space for the lungs to expand. It is due to this very reason that people who are overweight or obese tend to have a comparatively smaller lung volume. We cannot also ignore the fact that excess fats can lead to the secretion of certain hormones that can trigger lung inflammation. It is due to this very reason that obese people are considered to be at a higher risk of serious complications from Covid-19.

Kick the stress - Stress can affect our bodies in a number of different ways, by releasing hormones that interfere with normal life functions. You may have heard that stress can affect your fertility and heart health but did you know that it can impact the health of your lungs too? The lungs of people who have pre-existing lung problems like asthma and COPD tend to have a reduced lung capacity and are quite likely to experience breathlessness, which can trigger a sensation similar to that of panic. This eventually results in the release of more stress hormones like cortisol which can lead to various problems, including stress eating. So it is very important to manage your stress and that too in a mindful way. You need to focus on eating healthy and prioritise your sleep cycle. You can also practice meditation and yoga to relieve stress.

Do your best to avoid infections - Infections like flu, Covid-19, and pneumonia can harm your lungs, and impact their ability to function effectively. These can spread very easily from the patient to the people around. As such it is very important to avoid coming in contact with people who are infected. You should focus on strengthening your immune system by eating healthy and exercising. Take all the necessary vaccinations and practice good hygiene and cleanliness. As per the best pulmonology doctor in Kolkata, preventing infections and diseases can help to alleviate the risks of serious lung problems. Don't take any infection lightly and give your lungs time to heal.

If you wish to know more about how to keep your lungs healthy, then Book a Consultation with our experts today.