Make Every Breath Count

Keeping your respiratory system healthy is especially important in the fall and winter with the colder, dryer air.

Breathing is such an involuntary thing that most of us take it for granted until we are breathing hard or have trouble breathing. But it should be as important to us as nutrition, exercise or any of the other health issues we think about or do every day. Respiratory health is critical to our overall health. So, here are some tips to keep your lungs in tip-top shape and you in good health!

Exercise- this helps to improve your cardiovascular system’s function. As a health teacher once told me when I was in school, in order to improve your breathing when standing still, you need to push your heart rate up and make your lungs work for their air regularly. Better cardiovascular function reduces the risk of heart disease and prevents obesity.

Don’t smoke- okay, this one is pretty obvious, yet you still see people smoking their lives away outside of bars and restaurants. Smoking can lead to COPD, a serious respiratory disease that has no cure.

Eat and drink right- fresh and natural are good, processed is bad. Try to limit eating food that is “made” artificially. When you’re at the grocery store, stick to the outside of the store where the fresh fruit, veggies, lean meat and dairy items are located.

Check out your home- make sure you are replacing your air filter on schedule, and be sure there are no gas leaks. Also, keeping your house clean helps prevent dust buildup and lowers the risk for mold to grow.

Avoid harmful environments- stay indoors during high ozone alerts and pollen counts, or on windy days when there a lot dust and other irritants are in the air.

Follow these tips to help keep your family’s respiratory health up, especially as the temperature drops and the risk of illness goes up. If you or a family does have a need for any respiratory equipment, Hammer Medical carries a full line of oxygen and other items to help you breathe easier.