Keeping Your Lungs Healthy as a Senior

Lung health is an important factor in maintaining your livelihood during your golden years. Imagine chasing after your grandchild, running out of breath and having to stop-perhaps you're coughing, wheezing, lightheaded or experiencing chest pain. For seniors, existing problems like asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis can be made significantly worse by the onset of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD. Learn what you can do to stay spry and healthy.

Smoking is the number one cause of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and lung cancer. It makes breathing more difficult by narrowing airways and inflaming the lungs. After a time, this will likely develop into chronic bronchitis, and if the condition worsens there is a strong likelihood of lung cancer. Smoking exacerbates conditions you might already have, so for your best lung health, quit smoking. Encourage your friends, family and neighbors to quit as well, so that you may all breathe clean air and live better.

As for household changes, consider natural alternatives to some of the harsh cleaners you may use around your house. Since the effects of lung irritants like smoke, chemicals and allergens are compounded with prolonged and excessive exposure, you should cut these out of your life wherever possible. Make sure to have your home tested for radon and other dangerous elements. If the air quality where you live is sometimes poor, stay inside if you can and at least avoid exercising outdoors on such days.

Speaking of exercising. All parts of the body work together to keep you healthy and fight infection, so make sure you maintain healthy eating, exercise and hygiene habits. Wash your hands frequently, brush your teeth, get vaccinations as recommended by your doctor, and see your doctor for regular check-ups.

Pneumonia is a serious concern for the elderly-it often arises as a complication of some other type of infection, such as the flu. Having COPD, emphysema, other lung diseases or smoking increases your risk of pneumonia. Vaccination against Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria (pneumococcus) is recommended for everyone over the age of 65 or those who live in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Unlike the seasonal influenza vaccine, you only need the pneumonia vaccine once, so it's certainly worth asking your doctor about it. Pneumonia results in 350,000 to 620,000 hospitalizations for seniors in the United States every year, and it kills about 40,000 to 70,000 people annually.

Even keeping an optimistic outlook on life has shown some indications of having a positive impact on health. Take time in your day to do things you enjoy and speak to the people you love. Good spirits have been linked to longevity, decreases in stress and depression, heightened immunity, higher recovery rates from cardiovascular disease and overall a better state of health. Perhaps a smile a day will keep the doctor away.

Now that you know some of the biggest health risks threatening the lungs of the elderly, you can take preventative measures to keep your respiratory health-and your general wellbeing-in top shape. That way you can chase your grandkids a little longer tomorrow.

Sources

www.breathingassociation.org/programs/senior/overview.asp
http://www.lungusa.org/your-lungs/protecting-your-lungs/
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/pneumonia/DS00135.html
http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/pneumonia/prognosis.html
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/positive-thinking/SR00009

Author Bio

Lawrence Reaves writes about lawsuits for mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer. He gets his ideas and inspiration from asbestosnews.com.