Humans take about 25,000 breaths per day. While we all know we have to breathe to survive, people rarely think about how, or why, they breathe. That is, unless you’re one of the millions of people with a chronic lung disease or condition that makes it hard to do.
That’s why October is set aside each year as Healthy Lung Month. Healthcare professionals and organizations come together to promote awareness of chronic lung conditions, provide information on how to keep your lungs healthy, and teach the public how to breathe – and live – easier.
To help you stay on top of proper lung health, here are some common lung diseases affecting the population today.
COPD
Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a group of chronic lung diseases including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD causes long-term damage to the airways and air sacs in the lungs, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath, frequent coughing, and wheezing. COPD is most commonly caused by smoking, long-term exposure to air pollution and irritants, and genetics.
Emphysema
Emphysema is a form of COPD that affects the air sacs in your lungs. Over time, emphysema damages the walls between them, causing your air sacs to lose elasticity and become floppy. They can also be destroyed completely, leading to a large air pocket that restricts oxygen movement and makes it hard to breathe.
Emphysema is commonly treated through lifestyle changes, bronchodilators inhaled through a nebulizer or inhaler, and treatments like oxygen therapy and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic Bronchitis is an inflammatory form of COPD caused by smoking and other air pollutants. It causes swelling and inflammation of the bronchial tubes in the lungs, leading to a buildup of thick, sticky mucus. This clogs the tubes and makes it harder for your lungs to take in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide.
Symptoms of chronic bronchitis include frequent coughing that produces a lot of mucus (a “wet” cough), chest pain, wheezing, and shortness of breath. The treatment for chronic bronchitis resembles that of emphysema, with lifestyle changes, inhaled medications, and various lung therapies.
Asthma
Asthma affects more than 25 million Americans, making it one of the most common lung conditions on the globe. This chronic condition causes inflammation in the airways that causes them to swell and narrow, making breathing difficult. It most often affects children, though anyone can suffer from asthma.
Asthma is most commonly caused by outlying “triggers” such as indoor mold and dust, secondhand smoke, vigorous exercise, and even cold air. Treatment includes avoiding triggers, allergy immunotherapy, and medications given through nebulizers and fast-acting inhalers.
How You Can Observe Healthy Lung Month
Stop smoking. Smoking cessation is the number one way you can improve your lung health. Giving up tobacco is difficult, but your doctor can work with you to develop a plan using a variety of cessation aids like medications, gums, and patches.
Clean your environment. Airborne allergens like mold, dust, and pet dander are common triggers for asthma and other lung conditions. Be sure to dust and clean your home, wash fabrics like blankets and sheets, and brush your pets regularly to keep your indoor air as fresh as possible.
See your doctor. If you’ve been ignoring respiratory symptoms like shortness of breath or a cough that won’t go away, it’s important to see your doctor as soon as possible. If you have a lung condition, they can work with you to develop a proper treatment for easier breathing.
See your doctor. If you’ve been ignoring respiratory symptoms like shortness of breath or a cough that won’t go away, it’s important to see your doctor as soon as possible. If you have a lung condition, they can work with you to develop a proper treatment for easier breathing.