Use Lung Cancer Awareness Month to Your Advantage
By Brandi Swieter
Lung Cancer Awareness Month takes places in November. People should take advantage of the opportunity to learn by exploring all the different ways to keep a healthy respiratory system. Better breathing and healthier lungs are possible with some guidance.
Increase Lung Capacity Through Breathing
Breathing deeply can help to improve the capacity of the lungs. This is especially true if people practice various breathing techniques that require them to inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. It opens up the airways and helps to strengthen the exchange process between carbon dioxide and oxygen.
Get More Exercise
Exercise is vital to respiratory health. The more a person exercises, the more they improve their lung function. Aerobic exercises that require participants to breathe heavy are going to target the lungs the most. Swimming is a great option because it gives a great workout without being harsh on the joints. Walking is another ideal choice.
Eat a Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is key in fighting cancer. Foods rich in antioxidants are the best to consume. Fruits and vegetables are among the top in this category. Eating apricots, apples, walnuts, and beans should be the start. These are some of the foods high in antioxidants with plenty of Vitamin C and other nutrients and the power to fight off infection. It is equally important to drink enough water. Water keeps all systems within the body functioning correctly. It's important to stay hydrated and drink at least eight cups of water each day. Those who start to cough hard or struggle to breathe should take a drink of water to see if their symptoms dissipate.
Seek Medical Attention
Some worsening problems develop in those who have minor breathing difficulties. A person with asthma or someone who develops whooping cough or pneumonia, for example, now has a greater chance of experiencing breathing difficulties. Seeking medical attention when minor symptoms such as these, or other problems, arise is best in ensuring maintained health and well-being. By limiting these symptoms and stopping them from getting worse, the respiratory system can remain in working condition and not get completely compromised.
Though lung cancer is common in those who smoke, it can affect anyone. People need to be more cautious about their habits and work to strengthen their lungs and breathing ability if they want to avoid developing this type of deadly disease. Coughing and wheezing are just a couple of the beginning signs. Improving lung capacity will help to limit symptoms and make breathing easier to manage.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Roseville, Calif.