Air Pollution: 7 Ways to Protect Your Lungs

Every day is a day to realize the detrimental effects of air pollution. In today's time, awareness has flourished enough to make one discern the hazardous impact of it on health. However, few steps have been taken by the people to ensure the health of each organ. 

Air pollution, being the biggest threat to human civilization, has an adverse impact on the environment.With time, industrialization, vehicle emissions, and other such sources of air pollution are growing at a rapid rate. This makes it extremely vital for the person to inculcate healthy habits to protect their health.

Within this article, we have mentioned 7 ways to protect your lungs, which can help foster good health for longevity and well-being.

* Understanding the threat of air pollution:

Air pollution encompasses various complex particulate matters like harmful gases, toxins, etc. emitted through vehicles, industries, and other sources. The particulate matter that is present in the surroundings passes through the respiratory system of the person during inhalation. Though the organs are being designed in such a way that they infiltrate the particles one inhales, they still fail to infiltrate all, which gives rise to health issues.

In today's time, various studies and data show a rise in the number of premature deaths due to respiratory issues, heart attacks, cancer, etc. The common reason for the emergence of life-threatening diseases is their established link with air pollution. Some of the disease arises due to air pollution.

• Cardiovascular diseases like heart attack, stroke, etc.
• Respiratory diseases like asthma, chronic bronchitis, etc 
• Cancer of the lung, skin, etc.
• Neurological disorders like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, etc.
  
  

* 7 Ways to Protect Your Lungs

There is a strong connection between air pollution and respiratory issues. The human lungs function in such a way that they bear all the menace of air pollution. But exposure to such danger leads to the corrosion of respiratory organs like the lungs. Therefore, the pressing need in today's time is to create a defense shield for the well-being of lung development.

Below, we have mentioned a few ways one can safeguard the lungs effectively:

• Exercise: Exercising is like a new lease on life. Regular exercise like jogging, brisk walking, cycling, etc. can have a positive impact on the development of the lungs. Exercise daily strengthens the muscles and improves blood circulation. In turn, this leads to stronger lungs, deeper breathing, and the elimination of pollution. That's why it is advisable to make a habit of exercising daily or create your own fitness routine for a better lifestyle if you haven't yet.
  
  
  
• Use Air Purifiers and Masks: Air purifiers work wonders when it comes to improving the quality of air by filtering the pollutants out. So when outdoors, wearing N95 masks can be a great precaution to stay at bay from hazardous pollutants. Bursting out the myth, indoor air quality is often worse than outdoor air quality, which makes it necessary to use types of equipment like air purifiers to safeguard health. Read The Importance of Clean Air: How Air Purifiers Improve Indoor Air Quality.
  
  
• Regular checkups: This is advised for existing conditions sufferers and healthy ones alike. Consultation with health professionals can help detect the traces of potential diseases. And the people already suffering can be aided, as the professionals can advise on more preventive measures to take. With regular checkups, precaution is also a step to follow. It is judicious to treat the symptoms as early as they are noticed. Until you get medical aid, prefer having home remedies for treatment. 

Also read: What Are the Best Home Remedies for Respiratory Problems?

• Eat Well: What we eat directly impacts our body, and this is no longer a secret! So prefer having a diet that can immunise respiratory health. A nutrient-rich diet is good for lung health. Below are a few of the foods mentioned that can effectively help boost lung function if incorporated:
  
  
• Apples
• Turmeric
• Green tea
• Blueberries
• Lemon
  
  
• Avoid going outdoors: If you stay in metropolitan cities, hanging outdoors is often not favorable. This is because the blanket of air is growing darker with time. So if you are the one who is sensitive to the degraded air quality, avoid going outdoors when air quality is worse. Keep checking the Air Quality Index (AQI). Carry your protective gear, like masks or nebulizers, to avoid any kind of discomfort. 

Also read: How can portable nebulizers make traveling easy for asthma patients?

• Try steaming: Steaming is the best practice to strengthen the lungs. This is the process by which one inhales the warm vapor. This technique helps tremendously to loosen the mucus build-up in the nose, which helps in clearing out the congestion and avoiding discomfort. It reduces inflammation, lessens air pollution, and alleviates the temporary causes of air pollution. Make a habit of steaming and taking team inhalers once in a while for easy breathing.
  
  
• Mindful Breathing Activities: Doing exercises for your body is not enough. To stay proactive, going the extra mile is crucial. Try practicing some breathing activities, doing yoga, meditation, etc which can help not only to alleviate stress and improve focus but can also help to elevate health. 
  
  

* Summing up:

With the above article, we have delved deeper to understand the impact of air quality decline on our health. By following these 7 ways, we ensure one can beat the myriad of problems. However, instead of highlighting air pollution as a global problem, let's focus on reducing it by following some mindful activities. Remember, to have a breath of relief, a collective set of actions is necessary to be taken to beat the air pollution. 

Note: If you are facing some issues or going through discomfort, reach out to the doctor if the problem persists.