I hope you all had a happy and healthy Easter Sunday last week.
Since I am a Respiratory Therapist; I decided to write today’s article about keeping your lungs healthy. Especially due to the COVID 19 Coronavirus and the complications that can arise from this nasty respiratory virus.
As you know, breathing is a necessary function of life. What you may not be aware of are the differences between having healthy lungs and lung diseases.
Your lungs provide the oxygen that your body needs for survival. Pushing oxygen through the blood stream and assisting with filtering out carbon dioxide from your body. Damage to the lungs can occur from genetics, the environment and smoking. All these things can cause damage to your lungs.
By now you should already be aware that smoking causes lung diseases like Emphysema and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease); which cause irreversible damage to the lungs.
Keeping Your Lungs Healthy
1. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants.
2. Exercising frequently increases your lung function.
3. Improve indoor air quality with changing your furnance filter every thirty days, using an air purifier to help filter out pollutants, molds and dust.
4. If you smoke, stop smoking. Talk with your physician or call your local Quitline.
5. Get vaccinations like the flu vaccine and pneumonia vaccines to help prevent lung infections and promote lung health.
The Mechanics of Breathing
Take a deep breath and inhale, hold it for ten seconds and then exhale letting all the air out of your lungs.
Could you feel the air moving in and out of your lungs? This motion is known as The Mechanics of Breathing. As you breathe in and out the lungs exchange air flow throughout your lungs.
I’m not going to spend too much time talking about COVID 19 because it is my observation that we are inundatted with news updates every day.
Know the signs of COVID19 – Coronavirus
Watch for symptoms
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.
These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
When to Seek Medical Attention
If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or inability to arouse
- Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
Call 911 if you have a medical emergency: Notify the operator that you have, or think you might have, COVID-19. If possible, put on a cloth face covering before medical help arrives.
My wish for you is to be happy and healthy. I hope you enjoyed today’s blog post and that you will leave a comment.
Gain The Advantage,
Alicia Osmera, CRT, LRT
