Lungs
Help your
Breathe Easy
N AT I O N A L O B S E R VA N C E N E W S L E T T E R
B
reathing is something you probably take for granted.
You spend time with your family, go to work and maybe
even exercise without ever thinking about taking your next
breath. But for millions of people with lung disease, even
simple breathing is difficult.
More than 35 million Americans are living with lung disease,
including cancer, emphysema, asthma and chronic bronchitis.
Lung disease causes shortness of breath. People who suffer
from it tire easily and find everyday activities challenging.
Lung disease cannot be taken too seriously. It is responsible for
one in seven deaths in the United States making it the third most
common killer. Lung disease and related breathing problems kill
more infants than any other cause.
HARD WORK FROM THE INSIDE OUT
To understand how to take better care of your lungs and what
you can do to prevent lung disease, it’s important to understand
how your lungs work. When you breathe in, your lungs take the
oxygen your body needs and put it into your bloodstream for
organ and tissue use. When you breathe out, your lungs get rid
of carbon dioxide.
Although your lungs are inside your body, they are unique in
that they are always exposed to the outside world because of
the air you breathe. Your lungs work hard to filter out the things
you don’t need, such as pollen, dust, bacteria, viruses, smoke
and toxins. Breathing in too much of these things can cause
colds, allergies, asthma and emphysema or it could make these
conditions worse.
Breathe easier! Set a goal for yourself this month to make one
change that will contribute to the health of your lungs.
OCTOBER 2005
KEEPING YOUR LUNGS HEALTHY
You can’t quit breathing, but there are
some precautions you can take to make
sure your lungs are as healthy as possible.
Stomp out smoke – The best way to keep
your lungs in tip-top shape is to avoid
tobacco products and secondhand smoke.
Secondhand smoke contains over 4,000
chemical compounds, more than 60 of which
are known or suspected to cause cancer.
Inside hazards – Don’t assume the air is safe
just because you’re inside. If you will be
around dust and mold when cleaning, consider
covering your mouth and nose with a mask.
There are also consumer products available
to help purify the air where you live.
Outside hazards – Air pollution can harm
your lungs. If you happen to live in an area
that provides air quality forecasts, try to limit
your outdoor activity on days with poor air
quality. Ozone air pollution causes adverse
health effects, especially in the summertime
when ozone levels are highest.
Get moving – When you exercise you have
to breathe harder to keep up with your
body’s demand for oxygen. The more your
lungs get a workout, the stronger they will
become. If you have asthma or another
breathing disorder, ask your healthcare
provider about exercise options.
Source: http://www.lungusa.org
This material is provided for your general information only and is not intended
as medical advice. For more information and answers to health concerns, consult
your physician or other health care professional.
ZZ 21531
© 2005 Principal Financial Services, Inc.
08/2005