The World Health Organization (WHO) explained that the lungs are the organ most vulnerable to infection and injury from the external environment, due to constant exposure to particles, chemicals and infectious organisms in the air. Likewise, Respiratory diseases make up five of the 30 most common causes of death.
In addition, lung capacity is the amount of air that the lungs can hold, but there are three main types of lung disease that do not allow the organ to function properly, according to Medline Plus, the United States National Library of Medicine.
1. Diseases of the respiratory tract. These diseases affect the tubes (airways or airways) that carry oxygen and other gases in and out of the lungs. They usually cause a narrowing or obstruction of the airways. These include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchiectasis. People with airway disease often say they feel as if they are “trying to exhale through a straw.”
2. Diseases of the lung tissue. They affect the structure of lung tissue. Scarring or inflammation of the tissue makes the lungs unable to fully expand (restrictive lung disease). This makes it harder for the lungs to take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide. People with this type of lung disorder often say they feel as if “they’re wearing a sweater or vest that’s too tight.” Consequently, they are not able to take a deep breath. Pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis are examples of lung tissue diseases.
3. Pulmonary circulation diseases. They affect the blood vessels in the lungs. They are caused by coagulation, scarring or inflammation of these vessels. They affect the ability of the lungs to take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide. They can also affect cardiac activity. An example of this type of disease is pulmonary hypertension. People with these conditions often have shortness of breath when they exert themselves.
Likewise, habits such as smoking and a poor diet can also affect lung health, according to the COPD Patient Association.
Thus, experts recommend avoiding cigarettes and eat a healthy diet throughout life, as this helps take care of the lungs and among the foods recommended by the experts to protect organs are omega-3 fatty acids, as they are important components of the membranes that surround every cell in the body.
Similarly, it is ideal to consume foods that contain vitamins A, D, E and zinc that help improve function.
These acids are found in fish and other shellfish (especially fatty cold-water fish, such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring, and sardines); nuts and seeds (such as flaxseeds, chia seeds, and black walnuts); plant oils (such as flaxseed oil, soybean oil, and canola oil); fortified foods (such as certain brands of eggs, yogurt, juices, milk, soy beverages—soybeans—and infant formula), according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Finally, experts also recommend exercising, a body routine that not only helps improve people’s physical and mental health, but also forces the muscles to work harder, which increases the body’s respiratory rate, and with it there is an increased supply of oxygen to the muscles.
In any case, the information given above in no way replaces medical advice and therefore the first thing to do is consult a health expert so that he or she can guide the process and indicate what is most appropriate for each person. .
