4 ways to protect your lungs when the weather changes

Clean living environment

Changing weather creates ideal conditions for bacteria, viruses, and mold to grow. Respiratory diseases that are common when the time changes include sore throat, rhinitis, sinusitis, colds…

For some people, the causative agent may be pollen or dust or cigarette smoke. To protect health, each person should maintain a clean living environment, remove dirt, mold, and wash bedsheets and pillows regularly to keep the bedroom clean. Families can use an air purifier to clean the living space. If you have pets, you should use a vacuum cleaner.

Drink enough water, eat nutritious foods

Maintaining a nutritious diet contributes to improving overall health. Eat lots of foods containing vitamin C and antioxidants such as kiwi, bell peppers, oranges, lemons, grapefruit, pineapple, mango, watermelon… to help the lungs transport oxygen to the whole body effectively.

A diet rich in vegetables and fruits also contributes to reducing the risk of pneumonia. Regardless of weather conditions, you should drink enough water, lack of water affects the airways. Drinking enough water helps blood circulate well, reduces irritation, dry throat, dilutes phlegm, and opens airways. Each person should maintain drinking 2-3 liters of water per day.

Green tea is rich in antioxidants that help reduce inflammation in the lungs. These compounds may protect lung tissue from damage caused by inhaling cigarette smoke. Turmeric is rich in curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer properties, and enhances lung health. Drinks from turmeric help protect the lungs against inflammatory conditions and clean the lungs.

Dress appropriately for the weather

On hot days, adults and children should wear cool, sweat-absorbent clothes. Cold weather often causes blood vessels under the skin to constrict, limiting blood circulation. The mucous layer that protects the respiratory mucosa dries out, reducing resistance. This also makes it easier for viruses, bacteria, and fungi to enter the nose and mouth, increasing the risk of disease.

Each person should keep the nose, neck, and chest area warm by wearing appropriate clothing. Keep your feet warm by wearing socks. People with cold feet can soak their feet in warm water with ginger, cajuput essential oil, mint… or a little salt before bed. This method has the effect of dilating blood vessels in the legs, promoting blood circulation, and sleeping better.

Take medicine as prescribed by your doctor

People with respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma should take medication to control the condition. Patients must comply with the medication schedule as directed by the doctor and do not stop arbitrarily when symptoms decrease. This can make the disease worse and difficult to treat in the future.

Everyone should form the habit of practicing breathing for a few minutes every day. Exercise improves lung capacity, helps relax mood, and is very useful for people with respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or lung infections.