Exercise your lungs regularly to maintain lung health.
After age 30, lung tissue begins to die, and lung capacity reduces. Additional complications such as smoking, asthma, emphysema or COPD can severely impact long-term lung health and the ability to process oxygen. Medication can abate some of the symptoms of decreased lung health, but there are activities you can do to improve and maintain lung health.
See a Respiratory Therapist
If you are concerned about your lung health, seek the advice of a respiratory therapist before making any changes in diet and exercise. A respiratory therapist assesses your lung capacity and diagnoses any specific problems. In addition, the respiratory therapist can teach you breathing exercises appropriate for your current health and long-term goals.
Controlled Breathing Exercises
The diaphragm allows your lungs to expand and contract. The flexibility of the ribcage and chest muscles dictates the amount of air that can fill your lungs. For example, practice abdominal breathing. Lie on your back, and place one hand on your stomach and one hand on your chest. Breathe in deeply through your nose for a count of seven, allowing your stomach to expand first and then your chest. Breathe out slowly through your mouth for a count of eight, contracting your abdominal muscles as you exhale to expel the air completely from your lungs. Repeat this five times.
Maintain a Healthy Diet and Exercise Program
Increased body weight puts greater strain on the respiratory and circulatory systems. Without an increase in lung capacity, your lungs work harder to supply enough oxygen to the body. Regular exercise helps to control weight gain and improve lung capacity. By combining the exercise with a healthy, low-calorie diet rich in vitamins such as beta carotene, selenium and vitamins A, C and E can improve and maintain lung health.
Yoga
Yoga involves conscious breathing with exercise to reduce stress, maintain weight and increase lung health. A study presented at the Experimental Biology Conference in 2006 showed that people who participated in 20 minutes of hatha yoga three times a week for six weeks experienced a significant increase in chest wall expansion and the amount and force of air they could exhale. Yoga has an added benefit of improving posture, which helps the lungs and diaphragm move more freely.
Tags: lung health, your lungs, lung capacity, maintain lung, maintain lung health