Just like with many other parts of the body, our lungs can get less flexible as we age. Ensuring lung health during your golden years is just as important as focusing on heart health, skin health, and so much more. Every year, millions of Americans die from lung cancer and respiratory diseases, making it all the more important to keep lungs healthy when you can. In this article, you will find some top ways you can maintain your lung health.
Quit Smoking
Giving up smoking can be challenging and may even take several attempts, especially if you have smoked for years. However, the benefits you can reap are simply unmatched. Within a short 12 hours of quitting, the carbon monoxide levels in your blood drop back to normal, and your lung function slowly starts to improve. Your risk of developing coronary heart disease starts to go down to half that of a smoker within 6 months. Quitting smoking can be one of the best things you ever do for your lungs.
Perform Deep Breathing Exercises
The way we normally breathe involves shallow inhalations and exhalations which only uses a small portion of the lungs. By engaging in deep breathing exercises, you can clear your airway and increase the vital capacity of your lungs, which is the maximum amount of air that can be expelled from your lungs at any one time.
Avoid Pollutants
In daily life, this can be easier said than done, but keep in mind that the lungs in a younger individual are more able to ward off the effects of pollutants than those in an older adult. Some examples of pollutants include secondhand smoke, traffic exhaust, and airborne pollutants from construction sites. You can reduce your exposure to these pollutants by ensuring that your home is well-ventilated and cleaning your living environment regularly.
Exercise Regularly
Another way of keeping your lungs strong and healthy is to exercise regularly. When you do so, your lungs have to work harder to take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide, providing a workout you can get no other way. The more consistent you are with exercising, the more efficient your lung functioning will become. With a pair of healthy lungs, you are better able to resist the effects of aging and even if you do get lung-related diseases down the line, your body will be well-equipped to slow down the progression.
Prioritize Your Health and Happiness at Hidden Meadows On The Ridge
There’s no denying that aging in place can be tricky, especially if you require personal care services. If so, Hidden Meadows On The Ridge is the perfect senior living community for you. Our personal care living option provides residents with 24/7 care and assistance, including medication management, help with bathing and grooming, housekeeping and maintenance, and so much more. We also offer memory care for older adults living with dementia. When you move in with us, you can enjoy peace of mind that your or your loved one’s every need will be well taken care of.
