It’s Respiratory Care Week! Here are a few tips to guide you toward good respiratory health:
- Avoid smoking: Smoking is the leading cause of COPD and lung cancer.
- Exercise: Physical activity strengthens your lungs and heart, making it easier to get oxygen.
- Eat a healthy diet: Eat foods high in fiber, like whole-wheat spaghetti, pears, broccoli, chia seeds, quinoa, baked beans and lentils.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking water helps thin mucus in your lungs and airways.
- Get vaccinated: Stay up to date on your vaccines. If you are 65 or older or have other health problems, you should also get a pneumonia shot.
- Practice good hygiene.
- Get regular check-ups: Lung disease can sometimes go undetected until it is advanced. See your doctor if you experience shortness of breath or a persistent cough.
