1)Clean Air 2)Lung exercises with Incentive Spirometer 3)Proper rest and sleep 4) Eating Right 5) Steam
Irony is staring at me while writing this piece-Pollution levels in Delhi are higher than 500 !
It has given me incentive to take care of my lungs and share the information.
Incentive Spirometry- Spirometry is a huge machine used to test the powers of lungs ,by breathing in and out of machine using as much force as possible. These days tiny machines are available which can be kept in our bags and are excellent way to infuse Powers to weak lungs / strengthen the normal lungs.
Easy to follow instructions are written with the tiny equipment consisting of 3 colored balls in different chambers and one has to blow into the machine to uplift the balls.
It may be difficult to start with but gradually as lungs get more power through working out along with machine, it makes a routine to be followed everyday.
Sit up and hold the incentive spirometer in an upright position.
Place the mouthpiece in your mouth and seal your lips tightly around it.
Breathe in slowly and as deeply as possible.
Cost of Incentive Spirometer is around Rs 200-500/- only.
It is available online.
2) Clean air- Indoor pollution is as dangerous as outdoor pollution.
Grow as many plants within the house and in the surroundings.
Make sure that the water is sprinkled on the leaves also as dusty leaves do bring along dust for us to breathe in, instead of pure unadulterated Oxygen.
3 )Proper Rest-For heart patients, exercise is advisable. For people suffering from chronic respiratory disease, proper rest is a must.
One may have to take a tablet to help get rest.
Simple antialergic medicine like Phenargan ( Chlorpheniramine malleate),
gives double benefits- some non-addicted sedation and wards off alergens.
4) Eating right-Simple high protein diet which is easy to digest and does not cause distention as Bloated abdomen does put pressure on lungs,making breathing more difficult.
Honey is an excellent moisturizer cum antiseptic and a spoon of honey with warm water empowers the lungs ,besides reducing bouts of cough.
Combine above with fresh lemon juice to get Vitamin C to boost immunity to fight disease.
Mucous in lungs is a good medium for bacteria and other germs to grow and chronic cough does lead to Pneumonia without a warning.
5)Steam- Inhale deeply and feel the impact. Mucous gets dissolved ,making it easy to expel out the collected scum at bases of lungs.
Steam is a good antiseptic too.
Remember the doctor using steam to sterilize instruments !
It looks like that Pollution is here to stay with us.
Hopefully the government will bring some solutions.
Till then, we have to help ourselves by exercising our lungs within the close and unadulterated areas of our homes.