October 2012 Spotlight

ON KEEPING YOUR LUNGS HEALTHY

The average adult takes 15 to 20 breaths a minute – more than 20,000 breaths a day. The lungs are different from most of the other organs in your body because their delicate tissues are directly connected to the outside environment. Anything you breathe in can affect your lungs.

The American Lung Association provides the following preventive measures you can take to help protect your lungs.

• Don’t smoke. Cigarette smoke can narrow the air passages and make breathing more difficult. It causes chronic inflammation or swelling in the lung, which can lead to chronic bronchitis. Over time cigarette smoke destroys lung tissue and may trigger changes that grow into cancer. If you’re a smoker who wants to quit, the American Lung Association can help.
• And join the Great American Smokeout on November 15.
• Avoid exposure to pollutants that can damage your lungs, including secondhand smoke, outdoor air pollution, chemicals in the home and workplace.
• Prevent infection. Wash your hands often with soap and water, avoids crowds during the cold and flu season, maintain good oral hygiene, and get your annual flu shot.
• If you get sick, keep it to yourself! Stay home from work or school until you are feeling better.
• Maintain your annual check-up with your physician. Regular check-ups are an important part of disease prevention, even when you are feeling well. This is especially true for lung disease, which sometimes goes undetected until it is serious. See your doctor if you experience any of these abnormalities in breathing.

BE INFORMED … AND SUPPORTED.

• The different forms of lung disease.
• Facts about air pollution (127+ million people live in counties that received an F for pollution).
• Tips on protecting yourself and your family from air pollution.
• Tips on protecting the air at home.
• Chicago-area lung disease support groups.

EXERCISE YOUR VOICE.

As it launches a new patient-focused drug-development initiative, the Food and Drug Administration is asking the American public about their priorities for treatments and cures for diseases. Send the FDA a message if lung cancer is important to you.

THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT.

The more you learn, the more you can protect your health and take steps to make our air cleaner and healthier. Download the State of the Air app, a report card on air pollution in communities across the nation.

Learn, Live and Love Good Health. Your Wellbeing Advisory Council