How to improve Lung Health?
With viral infections abound in the world right now, it is imperative that we can do what we can to boost our immunity and also enhance the health and conditions of our lungs.
Conditions that affect the lungs such as COPD, bronchitis and asthma are very common lung inflammatory diseases. These could lead to heart diseases or further develop into acute respiratory illnesses.
So, we should strive to control inflammation in the lungs or remove the cause of inflammation.
Common causes of inflammation:
Smoking and secondhand smoke
It is imperative to never fall prey to the habit and discourage the people you hang out with to not smoke. Smoking reduces lung capacity, constricts blood vessels and causes nervous weakness among other things. ‘Kicking the Butt’ is the way to go.
Avoid chemical air fresheners and pollutants
Pollutants that get into indoor air include dust, pollen, animal dander, mold and smoke. These can have serious health effects, ranging from respiratory irritation to cancer.
Certain chemical air fresheners can contain phthalates and other chemicals that can create inflammation in the lungs. Using an air filter at home could be useful.
Practical Methods to reduce inflammation
1.Neti pot
Remove irritants from the entry point i.e in the nose by performing daily neti pot rinses.
A neti pot flushes out mucus from your nose. To use the pot, pour a saline solution into one nostril at a time. The solution will flow through your nasal cavity and come out of your other nostril.
The process cleanses your nasal cavity, removes inflammation-causing elements and improves the ability of your respiratory system to self-clean.
2. Steam therapy
Steam inhalation is one of the most widely used home remedies to soothe and open the nasal passages. This simple technique can loosen mucus in the lungs, open channels of circulation, and remove irritants trapped in the mucus. This also reduces the symptoms of heaviness in the chest.
3. Herbs that can improve lung health
Tulsi: Nature’s most potent anti-inflammatory. This tiny backyard herb has been used traditionally to treat various types of lung diseases and can improve bronchial asthma.
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Licorice: This has been widely used across Asia for centuries in the treatment of asthma and other lung diseases.
Triphala: A traditional combination of three dried fruits (amalaki, bibhitaki, haritaki) that is known for its antioxidant activity. Amalaki alone can reduce inflammation in bronchial epithelial cells.
Trikatu: This too is actually a combination of three spices: dried ginger, long pepper, and black pepper; Half a teaspoon mixed with honey and taken twice daily, improves symptoms of asthma and lung inflammation.
4. Foods for improving Lung health
Green tea – Contains polyphenols that can improve lung health.
Turmeric: Curcumin is excellent for clearing nasal passages.
Berries: Contains Anthocyanins that has speedy and direct anti-inflammatory properties
Leafy green vegetables: Rich in carotenoids and vitamin C to reduce the lung cancer burden among both smokers and non-smokers.
Tomatoes: Contains Lycopene that helps reduce airway inflammation, further reducing the chances of causing asthma
Beans and whole grains: Fiber can offset lung inflammation.
Fish such as salmon, sardines: Contains Omega fatty acids that may Reduce Bacterial Lung Infections Associated with COPD.
5. Let go of Tobacco
Smoking can wreak havoc on your lungs and your entire immune system. Cancer, COPD are the long term effects while lack of stamina, libido etc being the short term effects.
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