Fostering good Lung Health in the era of a pandemic

Lungs are one of the critical organs that keep us alive and well, and for the most part,there is no need for us to think about them. Therefore, there is a tendency for us to take our lungs for granted. Although our body has a natural defense system designed to protect the lungs, keeping dirt and germs away, there are some important things we can do to reduce the risk and impact of lung diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Interstitial lung disease, Asthma, lung cancer, Bronchitis, and more.

 

Essentially, when a person breathes in, the lung takes in oxygen, passes it along to the bloodstream, and brings it to their cells. In return, it picks up carbon dioxide and disposes of it. Unfortunately, the environment does not always help the way that our lungs function. Many risk factors contribute to lung related health complications. They can be things we don’t even realize that we’re breathing in. While sometimes they can be avoided, other times they cannot, however, it’s still important to be educated by what they are and know what can be done to protect and strengthen our lungs.

 

“If a person already has a chronic lung disease, they can follow a pulmonary rehabilitation programme at a respiratory unit, particularly if they feel breathless 
on exertion.”

 

Smoking is probably most known as a habit that increases the risk of developing lung cancer and COPD, causing irreversible damage to a person's lungs. Every time a cigarette is smoked, thousands of chemicals are taken into the lungs, including nicotine, carbon monoxide, and tar. These toxins damage lungs, increase mucus and make it more difficult for a person's lungs to clean themselves, leading to irritated and inflamed tissues. 

 

Gradually, airways grow narrow, making it more difficult to breathe.Smoking also causes the lungs to age more rapidly. Eventually, these chemicals can change lung cells from normal to cancerous. Therefore, it is always a positive choice to quit smoking. Those who have trouble quitting can seek the support of a respiratory physician.

 

Exposure to air pollutants can damage the lungs and accelerate ageing. When they’re young and strong, their lungs can resist these toxins. However, as a person gets older, they lose some of that resistance and become more vulnerable to infections and disease.

 

Therefore, it is recommended to avoid second hand smoke and chemical pollutants/carcinogens at home and the workplace. In Sri Lanka, a tropical country with high numbers of mosquitos, people are used to lighting mosquito coils in their homes, which have now been proven to cause harmful effects on the lungs, increasing the risk of developing chronic lung disease. Further, particularly in a South Asian country such as ours, biomass fumes from burning firewood to cook in poorly ventilated spaces, have shown to increase the risk of lung disease, particularly in women who are more exposed to these toxic fumes than men. Certain jobs in construction, mining, and waste management too can increase risk of exposure to airborne pollutants, in which case medical advice should be sought.

 

 

Infections can be particularly dangerous for the lungs, especially as a person ages. Those who already have chronic lung diseases like COPD and Bronchiectasis are particularly at risk for infections. Even healthy seniors, are at a higher risk of developing pneumonia if they’re not careful.

 

The best way to avoid lung infections is to keep hands clean, by regularly washing with warm water and soap, and avoid touching one's face as much as possible. Good oral hygiene and avoiding large, closely packed crowds too can help reduce the risk of infection. Further, it is important to stay up to date with vaccinations, such as the annual flu shot (influenza vaccination), which can be accessed both in government and private healthcare institutions in Sri Lanka, particularly if a person is already suffering from chronic lung disease.  

 

 

Whatever age a person is, and at whatever health level they are keeping physically active is vital to keeping lungs healthy. Cardiovascular exercise regularly can help improve lung function.

 

It increases the body's ability to use oxygen and effectively removed carbon dioxide. Exercise doesn’t need to be lengthy. Thirty minutes to an hour of walking or jogging a few times a week can have a massive positive impact in fostering lung health. Drinking plenty of water and including a good amount of fruits and vegetables in the diet can also help boost the immune system.

 

Further, it is important for a person to

 

get good sleep. In some instances, Sleep Apnea – identified with excessive snoring and increased daytime sleepiness – can greatly impact the quality of cardiovascular health. This condition is common but neglected, and should be identified and treated as early as possible to minimize the health risks.

If a person already has a chronic lung disease, they can follow a pulmonary rehabilitation programme at a respiratory unit, particularly if they feel breathless on exertion. 

 

 

Lung disease can be identified with a few tell-tale signs that individuals should not ignore. Chronic cough,which lasts for more than eight weeks is an important early symptom;shortness of breath/breathlessness which was not present before,difficulty in breathing in and out; chronic mucous production for a month or longer; wheezing; coughing up blood; and chronic chest pain made worse with coughing or breathing. 

 

Therefore, if one or more of these symptoms are present, it is important to consult a medical professional as early detection is key to the successful treatment of lung disease.

 

 

 

With numerous advances in both diagnosis and treatment of lung disease in Sri Lanka, individuals now have easy access to a plethora of healthcare facilities and options to foster good lung health and keep their pulmonary conditions in check. They can now get screened for the development of pulmonary diseases early and can monitor the progression of their existing chronic lung conditions before their lungs begin to fail and slow down the process with appropriate treatment when possible. For example, FeNO test, which is a test where a patient has to blow slowly and steadily into a device, while it measures how much nitric oxide is in the air they breathe out, can help identify a person's asthma control. 

 

(The writer is Dr. Dilesha Wadasinghe, Consultant Respiratory Physician

 

and Senior lecturer in Physiology - Faculty of Medicine Ragama)

 

Amongst the portfolio of treatment facilities in the country, leading Sri Lankan private healthcare institutions like Hemas Hospitals, operates a state of the art centre that offers routine medical checkups, where individuals can get themselves screened for any pulmonary medical conditions.