Take a deep breath

Oct 13, 2023

By Stephanie Simons,
Head Pharmacist,
Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire

Breathing. It’s a simple thing, so natural we barely notice it – and yet we breathe in up to 30 thousand times a day! But for some people, this essential act can become difficult, and if this is the case, it’s time to think about your lungs.

October is Healthy Lung Month, a time for everyone to consider the health of their lungs. Many don’t consult their GP until symptoms are very concerning, but by keeping an eye on your lung health, you can catch any issues before they become serious.

What are lungs?
Your lungs are two organs that sit inside your chest, connected to your windpipe which brings air in and out as you breathe. Your windpipe or ‘trachea’ divides into smaller airways called bronchi inside the lungs which together make up the ‘bronchial tree’. Tiny airways called alveoli sit at the end of each airway and, to the naked eye, lungs look like a sponge.

Lung disease
Lung conditions include diseases that impact the airways, often blocking or narrowing the windpipe, such as asthma, bronchiolitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Other diseases like pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis impact the lung tissue itself, preventing the lungs from fully expanding – this can be caused by scarring or inflammation.
Diseases like pulmonary hypertension impact the blood vessels and circulation in the lungs and often impact the heart as well. Many lung conditions encompass several of these categories at once.

How to maintain healthy lungs
Smoking cigarettes is the main cause of lung issues including lung cancer, COPD, and emphysema. By narrowing the air passages, it makes it more difficult to breathe, while smoke can also cause inflammation and/or swelling in the lungs, leading to chronic bronchitis.

Over time, these issues can destroy lung tissue and potentially trigger changes that lead to lung cancer. If you are looking to stop smoking, please speak to your pharmacist or GP who can offer support and advice to help you stop for good and recommend products like Nicorette Gum and lozenges, and Nicotinell patches which can be obtained without a prescription. If they have been ineffective, a prescription medication can be prescribed to ease the process.

That said, non-smokers can be impacted by lung disease too. Second-hand smoke, air pollution – both indoors and outside – mould and/or flu or pneumonia can also increase your risk of lung problems. Try to avoid people while they’re smoking and ask members of your household to smoke outdoors.

Where possible, you should also avoid outdoor areas with high air pollution such as roads with heavy traffic, and take precautions against viruses like the flu through vaccination, hand sanitiser like Germ-X, and keeping warm when out and about.

Regular exercise is key to maintaining healthy lungs. Aerobic activities work the heart muscle and lungs to help them function effectively – this could be walking, running, cycling, or jumping rope. Strength training is beneficial too – try weightlifting or Pilates to build your core strength and tone your breathing muscles. Exercise will help you maintain a healthy weight, which also supports healthy lungs and your well-being overall.

Even if you do have a lung condition, it’s still important to exercise. The right style and amount of exercise can help you feel better, even if only a short walk or some light stretching. Chat with your pharmacist or GP about what exercise could work for you while you manage or recover from your lung condition.

Check-in
It’s never too soon to check in about your lung health, especially if you’re over 60 and/or a smoker. Speak to your GP if you’re at all concerned, and head to the pharmacist if you’re encountering light symptoms – we can recommend OTC products like Sudafed or Mucinex which will help you breathe easy once more by clearing congestion in the nose or chest. Supplements such as Omega-3 fatty acids, CoQ10, Vitamin D, and Bromelain also support the immune system and help with lung health. Inhalers can also be used to help with breathing difficulties but must be prescribed by your doctor. If you want more support in managing asthma or COPD, please reach out to Open Airways at www.openairways.com.
 

Stephanie Simons is the head pharmacist at Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and has been practicing for over 20 years. She is a registered pharmacist with the Bermuda Pharmacy Council and is a member of the Bermuda Pharmaceutical Association.