A healthy pair of lungs is critical to keeping oneself in the best of shape. This organ is responsible for one of the most critical roles in the body — ensuring that enough oxygen is absorbed, and carbon dioxide is expelled. Because of this, keeping them healthy is key, especially for people with weaker respiratory systems or those who suffer from pulmonary issues such as asthma.
While the body has its natural defenses that protect the lungs, there are still several steps that we can take to keep it healthy and reduce the risk of disease or any complications.
First and foremost is avoiding cigarette smoking. The consumption of cigarette smoke and its many harmful components can narrow air passages and make breathing more difficult. Smoking often results in chronic lung inflammation, and over time may destroy lung tissue or trigger changes that grow into cancer.
Besides smoking, other pollutants such as secondhand smoke, polluted air, and chemicals present in the home or workplace can also impact lung heath. It is essential to avoid exposure to these pollutants, especially for asthmatic individuals, as these can trigger their asthma.
Infections and illnesses such as flu and colds can also have adverse effects on the lungs, and even develop into more serious conditions. Minimize the risks by practicing healthy habits such as frequent handwashing, social distancing, keeping your mask on, and other methods.
Regular checkups also go a long way in preventing disease and keeping your lungs healthy. Lung disease sometimes goes unnoticed until it becomes more serious, so proactively getting checked can help alleviate this concern.
For example, scheduled doctor visits for asthma patients are necessary to review and update the asthma control regimen, including action plans, triggers, and medication. At the same time, adhering to physician’s prescribed medication or treatments consistently will significantly improve lung condition and prevent worsening of asthma.
These are aligned with findings from a recent study by Professor Dave Singh, a renowned professor of clinical pharmacology and respiratory medicine at the University of Manchester. Dr. Singh recently met with local lung experts, key opinion leaders and members of the Philippine College of Chest Physicians to discuss developments in the field of asthma research.
“Asthma research has advanced significantly over the years, which allowed us to gain a better understanding of the disease and its optimal treatment options,” he states. “With this research, we gathered published data from different parts of the world and built a reliable mathematical model to predict the optimal treatment for patients with asthma. What we found is that the daily use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) is very beneficial in controlling asthma and addressing its underlying symptoms. Maintaining lung health in general requires physician-patient partnership, disease education, and adherence to physician’s prescription.” he adds.
