Your lungs serve an important function as part of the respiratory system. Every time you inhale, you bring in much-needed oxygen to fuel the cells in your body and exhale unwanted waste products.
In case you didn’t know, your lungs aren’t actually the same size. Your right and left lung aren’t actually the same size. The right lung has three sections and your left has two, leaving enough space for your ribs. The sternum and ribcage protect your lungs and other essential organs in your chest. While you think you may know everything there is to know about the two organs, there may be some facts that surprise you.
1. The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is created to warn individuals how specific air conditions can impact their health. If you notice a thick smog in the air, it may be wise to check the index and see the level of air quality. If you see an AQHI of 7-10, the air is hazardous to your health, while a 10+ is exceptionally hazardous.
Ensure your lung’s health by avoiding the outside in certain conditions. If you want to exercise, consider doing it inside on a machine, follow along to workout videos, or do light yoga. If you absolutely need to go outside, then wear a mask to limit your exposure to the pollutants. The type of protection you wear will depend on the type of pollutant in the air and how the mask is used. Different protective gear will have a range of factors, if it is 5 or 10 percent, that means it will filter out all but whatever number of pollution. For example, if you have a 3 percent cover, that means it will filter out all but 3 percent of the pollution.
2. If you have shortness of breath that comes out of nowhere, chronic or sudden, don’t ignore it. It may be a sign of an underlying health issue. Not all shortness of breath is abnormal though. If you run to catch up to someone at work to speak with them or do other strenuous activity such as going up the stairs quickly, that is typically normal.
When looking to correct your shortness of breath, you must first find the underlying cause. If it is a result of pneumonia or asthma, it can be treated and should be done asap. If the problem cannot be managed, prescription medication may be the next step. It will help you improve the feeling that you get when you’re out of breath.
3. Hyperventilation is caused by anxiety or fear, and breathing with a paper bag over your mouth isn’t the only tactic to help it. Handle the issue that is causing you undue stress then purse your lips and breathe. If that does not work then close one nostril and breathe through the other. The aim is to calm down and breathe slowly.
Your lungs are an essential part of the body’s function. Every time you breathe you get rid of more than 70% of the body’s waste. Ensure that you take care of your lungs by watching air quality and paying attention to moments where you are short of breath. Not only that but being able to handle situations where you or someone else is hyperventilating is key to helping them through the situation.