Our lungs serve us well. Even though most of us don't think of exercising our lungs, there are ways to improve how well they work.
Numerous kinds of pollutants can contaminate the air we inhale. Pollen, chemicals, and secondhand smoke are all things that can get stuck in the air and get into our lungs.
Although our lungs are mostly organs that clean themselves, there are some things you can do to help them work at their best.
People who suffer from asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or cystic fibrosis may benefit from undergoing a lung cleanse. A lung cleanse may also be beneficial if you smoke a lot or take certain inhaled medications.
1. Try doing breathing exercises if you smoke, have smoked in the past, or have damage to your lungs from a chronic disease. Some breathing exercises can help your lungs work better.
One example of a tool that can help you practice your breathing is a spirometer. This kind of device is frequently used to help patients recover from surgery.
Other breathing exercises do not require the use of assistive devices. Among these systems are:
A type of belly breathing is diaphragmatic breathing, also known as pursed lip breathing. Talk to your doctor about your options if you smoke or have damaged your lungs. They should be able to point you in the direction of a respiratory clinic, where therapists will be able to enroll you in a specialized program that will be of assistance to you.
2. Percussion, also known as chest percussion, is a technique that can assist in the removal of fluid from the lungs. It involves lying down with your head down and lightly tapping from top to bottom on your back.
Postural drainage, which involves shifting one's body position so that fluid can move more easily out of the lungs, is frequently used in conjunction with it. You can be on your back, side, or stomach.
Percussion and postural drainage are common treatments for pneumonia and cystic fibrosis. The person's back is firmly tapped with cupped hands, releasing secretions. The tipped position facilitates the secretions' ascent and exhalation.
3. Alter your diet There are many ways that your diet can affect your lung health.
Vitamin D Consuming foods high in vitamin D may improve lung health. Healthy levels of vitamin D were found to reduce the number of asthma attacks that required corticosteroid treatment, according to a 2017 study of asthmatics.
Salmon, sardines, and eggs are typically the best sources of vitamin D in foods. However, the vitamin may be added to breakfast cereals and other products that do not naturally contain it.
Anti-inflammatory foods and beverages Some foods and beverages contain antioxidants that reduce inflammation. Antioxidants can help reduce inflammation in the airways, which can make it easier to breathe.
Try the green tea. In a Korean study, people 40 and older were found to have a lower risk of COPD if they consumed green tea twice daily.
Berries, broccoli, turmeric, dark chocolate, and other foods are other options for reducing inflammation.
Healthy fats You can also opt for a diet high in healthy fats and lower in carbohydrates. When compared to metabolizing fats, metabolizing carbohydrates produces more carbon dioxide and uses more oxygen.
4. Increase your aerobic exercise routine An aerobic exercise routine can help increase your lung capacity. Among the aerobic exercises are:
Walking, running, cycling—outdoors or indoors—swimming, dancing, or dance-inspired workouts like Zumba boxing—sports like tennis—it's important to talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program to find the right routine for you if you have a chronic lung disease.
Risks and warnings There isn't much research to back up the use of pills or other products that say they clean the lungs. Avoiding smoking, air pollution, and other irritants to the lungs is the best way to prevent damage to the lungs.
Before using any particular lung cleanse product, check with your doctor because some of them may actually make certain lung conditions worse.
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