Did you know that aside from your heart, your lungs also work hard 24/7?
From talking, shouting, and laughing to running and never-ending walking or even while sleeping, your lungs are doing a lot of work.
Lungs tremendously help you around the clock in transferring oxygen around your body and helping eliminate waste when you breathe out.
But, have you ever thought about your lungs' efforts to keep you breathing easy?
Are you taking necessary pulmonary care seriously to keep your lungs healthy?
Every year, National Lung Month is observed in the Philippines in August.
According to Dr. Anna Maria Teresa De Guzman, provincial health officer of Pangasinan, it is a good time to reflect on how we are treating our precious lungs and to know our risk of developing one of many lung-related illnesses.
“It serves as a recurring reminder of the need to promote greater awareness of lung disease in our society, which calls for coordinated efforts from both national and local governments as well as the private sector,” she said.
"Everyone should take necessary actions required in improving our lung health," said De Guzman, reminding that everyone should consider how lungs are important and not wait until it is compromised.
“We frequently take for granted the tremendous work that our lungs do around the clock. We only notice our lungs when breathing becomes difficult," she said.
She said the condition of our lungs and the development of respiratory problems can be influenced by genetics, illness, and the environment, thus the Provincial Health Office is calling on everyone to contribute in creating a better and healthier Pangasinan.
To keep your lungs healthy, here are some tips shared by the Department of Health:
L – Layuan ang yosi, vaping, at iba pang tobacco products. (Quit cigarette smoking, vape smoking and all other tobacco products. Avoid secondhand smoke also known as passive smoking. Simply being around smokers can cause lung-related illnesses.)
U - Ugaliing maging aktibo at mag-exercise. (Be physically active.)
N - Nourish your body with a healthy diet.
G - Go for fresh air. Iwasan ang polusyon. (Open up your airways the natural way! Get outdoors and improve your lung capacity, well-being and fitness.)
S - Seek vaccinations and early consultation with Primary Care Providers and wear a face mask if you are in an environment with high amounts of dust or chemical fumes.
