Ways to keep your child lungs healthy

Pulmonology | by CMRI | Published on 04/06/2021

As children are in a growing stage, their lungs are still developing. As such, it is very important to protect the lungs and strengthen them to ensure that they grow and develop properly. It is important to understand that lungs usually develop rapidly in the initial years and then the pace slows down. The lungs continue to develop and are completely formed by the time the child reaches 8 years of age. The process does not really stop here as teenagers continue to develop air sacs till they reach adulthood. Children are prone to various infections and diseases that can directly or indirectly impact their lungs. Since they are not wise enough to understand this, the leading children’s asthma doctor suggests that it is the duty of the parents to make sure that their little one is away from all such health issues that can drastically impact his/her lungs.

If you are wondering what you can do to keep your child’s lungs healthy, Here are 5 tips from the best pulmonologist in Kolkata that might come in handy.

Avoid exposing your little one to smoke –  Smoke happens to be one of the leading causes of lung cancer. However, we are not only referring to cigarette smoke but also other kinds of smoke, like that given by automobiles. This contains hundreds and thousands of chemicals that can damage your lungs tissues and prove to be very harmful to your child’s developing lungs. If you smoke yourself it is better to give up the habit or avoid smoking near your children. It is very important to keep your little one away from cigarette smoke, as secondary smoking too can damage the lungs.

Avoiding exposure to air pollutants – In the past few years, air pollution has increased tremendously, putting not only children but also adults, at a higher risk of developing lung diseases and infections. To be honest, it is not possible to avoid air pollution as it is present all around and you cannot simply stop breathing. However, you can avoid taking your child to areas where the pollution levels are raised. Avoid taking busy roads and going to congested places as the quality of air is quite deteriorated there. If you are going out, try to keep your windows closed, especially when you are waiting for the red light. Experts specializing in asthma treatment in Kolkata suggest that it is important to understand that polluted air is not only present outside your home and you need to be aware of air pollution when you are at home as well. This can be a result of the excessive use of chemicals or using wood burners instead of CNG.

Encourage your little want to stay active –  Physical activities play a very crucial role in your child’s lung development. You cannot expect small children to go to the gym and work out. You can rather encourage them to play sports and outdoor games instead of sitting in front of the television or computer screen. You can try different activities every day to keep a child engaged. You can also take your little one to a park and allow him/her to run around and play. Try to bring down the risk of infection – In order to do so, you need to incorporate some healthy habits in your children. Ask your little ones to wash their hands before and after having your meals or using a washroom. You also need to get your child vaccinated against seasonal flu and influenza. If a child is showing any cough or cold-like symptoms, it is important to go and see a doctor immediately for proper evaluation and assessment.