Taking Care of Your Lungs as You Age

Your lungs deliver oxygen to your whole body. As you get older, your lung function begins to decline. You may notice that you’re not as able to breathe easily as when you were younger, or you might get short of breath a lot. There are various steps that can help improve your lung function.

How Aging Affects the Lungs

Individuals with certain immune conditions are more prone to developing lung infections. They can also experience shortness of breath and other breathing-related issues. As you get older, your body’s organs and tissues that are involved in breathing can start to deteriorate. For instance, the bones of your spine and chest start to get thinner, and the rib cage can no longer contract and expand as efficiently as it used to.

The changes that can affect the function of the lungs can lead to higher levels of carbon dioxide in the body. They can also decrease the oxygen level and cause tissues in the lungs to contract. This can cause the airways to close too quickly. The tiny air sacs that are located inside the lungs can lose their shape and function poorly. The changes in the brain’s control over breathing can also affect the body’s carbon dioxide levels.

How to Keep Your Lungs Healthy As You Age

Although some of the effects of aging are natural, taking the necessary steps to improve your lung function can help prevent you from developing lung disease.

One of the most important steps that you can take to improve your lung function is to stop smoking. It can cause lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. Having the right amount of exercise can also help keep your lungs healthy and prevent them from developing these conditions.

Sitting or staying in bed for prolonged periods can also contribute to the accumulation of mucus in your lungs, which can lead to infections. If you are prone to experiencing these conditions, avoid being exposed to pollution.

Getting the flu shot every year and washing your hands can also help prevent infections. Other simple steps that can help keep your lungs healthy include avoiding crowds and keeping your mouth clean.

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