How to Improve Your Lung Health
Lung cancer and COPD are both high on the list of the leading causes of death in the United States, and this is in large part due to the lingering effects of industrial pollution and irresponsible environmental practices from decades past. Now that the general public is more aware of the health risks of polluted air, there is a bigger push for more eco-friendly practices in industrial settings. However, there is still plenty of work that can be done on an individual level to improve air quality and improve respiratory health on a community level. The important measures below are all great ways to keep your lungs healthy so that you stay protected from deadly respiratory diseases along with chronic conditions like asthma that can impair your daily activities.
Beware of outdoor pollution levels
Living in the Los Angeles area, you may be no stranger to outdoor air pollution. What you may not realize that pollution levels change throughout the days and seasons, so you should keep track of when pollution is at its highest. During these times, try to stay indoors or use a facial mask to breathe easier.
Get your annual flu shot
Minor respiratory infections like the flu can do damage in the long run—especially if you tend to come down with the flu every year. With a quick flu shot, you can save yourself some sick days and keep your lungs in better working condition.
Test radon levels
Radon is a radioactive gas released as uranium breaks down, and it may leak into the home, silently diminishing indoor air quality. To test for this invisible, odorless, and otherwise unnoticeable gas, pick up a radon testing kid and consider radon reduction if the levels are between 2 and 4 pCi/L. No level of radon is known to be safe, so lower numbers are always favorable.
These are just a few of the ways that you can clean up the air around you and preserve your respiratory health. For more helpful tips from registered nurses available 24/7, call West Hills Hospital through our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (818) 676-4000.