Improve lung capacity in six ways

Regardless if a person is sick or healthy, lung capacity is an important part of one’s health. Now more than ever, individuals have to improve their lung capacity to fight off or recover effectively from lung diseases and viruses like COVID-19 that attacks the respiratory system. Lisa M. Cannon, M.D. shares on this blog post six ways to strengthen the lungs.

For smokers, quit the habit of smoking, while non-smokers must never try to light a cigarette. Smoking increases a person’s risk of contracting lung cancer and other respiratory diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, and COPD. Wear a mask when heading out. Part of the new normal is wearing a covering that protects the mouth and nose from catching droplets and particles that could carry COVID-19. In addition, one must reduce their exposure to pollutants.

Get vaccinated. Flu and pneumonia vaccines help improve a person’s lung health by preventing lung infections. Along with staying up to date with vaccinations, one must keep the hands clean by washing them with soap and water to prevent viruses from entering the mouth, nose, eyes, and ears. As much as possible, individuals must avoid touching their faces. Drink enough water to stay hydrated. To keep the mucosal linings in the lung thin, a person must take fluids all through the day.

Laugh a lot, says Lisa M. Cannon, M.D. A great exercise for the lungs and the core, laughing increases lung capacity and strengthens abdominal muscles. Moreover, laughing relieves the lungs from enough stale, allowing fresher air to enter into the lungs.

Lisa M. Cannon, M.D. is an accomplished medical professional who graduated with a degree in medicine from New York Medical College and completed her fellowship in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine from the renowned Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. For more updates from Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., head over to this page.