How to Take Good Care of Your Lungs

It goes without saying that a person who cares about the health of his or her lungs shouldn't smoke cigarettes. However, to have lungs that remain healthy throughout life, a person must do much more than avoid one unhealthy habit.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Avoid secondhand smoke--cigarette, cigar or pipe smoke that is exhaled by smokers. Stay out of smoky bars and clubs, and don't join smoking coworkers on their breaks. Ask visitors to your home to step outside to smoke.
2. Protect your lungs from occupational hazards, such as coal dust, asbestos, and chemical vapors. If you must work around substances that can damage your lungs, always wear protective equipment and follow safety procedures.
3. Get vaccinated. Many diseases, from the common cold to tuberculosis, can settle in the lungs, and some can permanently damage them.
4. Limit exposure to air pollution. Stay indoors and close the windows when you hear that the air quality is particularly bad. Avoid running or doing other outdoor exercise in the afternoons, when the pollution from commuting cars is the worst.
5. See your doctor whenever you have a cough or breathing problems so you can get the proper treatment as soon as possible.
6. Take a multivitamin. Vitamin C and magnesium both help keep lungs healthy. In addition to a daily vitamin, a healthy diet should ensure you get plenty of both.
7. Exercise. Like any other part of your body, your lungs become stronger when you exercise.

Tips & Warnings

• Your lungs naturally diminish in capacity as you age, but some believe that eating pineapple can prevent this. White wine may also help keep lungs healthy.