What Damages Your Lungs? You Might Be Surprised.
We all know how damaging things like smoking can be to your lungs, but what about the other substances and conditions? It may come as a surprise, but things you use and breathe in every day can have damaging effects on your lungs long-term. Continue reading to find out what to avoid and tips on doing so.
Things That Lead to Lung Damage
Below are some of the substances and conditions that can lead to lung damage, with the severity dependent on the amount of exposure.
Smoke: As we all know, cigarettes include toxic substances that trigger inflammation and destroy the lungs’ structure.
Mold: If too much moisture is present, mold can grow and become damaging to your airways.
Chemicals: Inhaling chemical-filled air with things like noxious gas, chlorine, cleaning supplies and more can lead to threatening lung diseases.
Dust: Lung tissues can collect dust and particles over time which ends up injuring the airways.
Pollution: Not only can breathing in air pollutants cause irritation in your airways, but it also could lead to long-term lung damage.
Side Effects These Things Can Cause
Whether it’s linked to mold, dust, chemicals or something else, there are various side effects they can cause. These include:
Asthma episodes
Sneezing
Coughing
Nasal congestion
Sore throat
Tips for Avoiding Lung Damage
While being exposed to things like air pollution and dust isn’t completely avoidable, there are ways to protect your lungs the best you can.
Check air pollution forecasts to make sure the air is healthy enough to spend an extended amount of time outdoors.
Avoid exercising in high-traffic areas as the pollution levels are often much higher.
When using cleaning supplies with lots of chemicals, be sure to open your windows to let fresh air in.
If you’re a smoker, now’s the time to quit. The sooner you decide to quit the better off your lungs will be.
Invest in an air purifier that can sanitize the air from pollutants, allergens and toxins.
Keep areas with lots of moisture, like your shower, clean from mold.
Now that you know what substances and chemicals cause damage as well as how to avoid them, it’s time to make your lung health a priority! To shop for lung-related products, visit our website and make sure to contact us with any questions.