Breathing is the most natural and essential action in our lives. Every smooth breath infuses vitality into our bodies. However, factors such as air pollution, smoking habits, and the fast-paced stress of modern life are quietly threatening the health of our respiratory systems. Understanding common respiratory diseases and their prevention methods is an important step in safeguarding ourselves and our loved ones.
I. Common Problems: Several Common Respiratory Disorders
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD):
Characteristics: A disease characterized by persistent airflow limitation, usually associated with long-term exposure to harmful gases or particles (especially smoking). Mainly includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Common symptoms: Chronic cough, expectoration (especially more obvious in the morning), progressive worsening of post-exertional shortness of breath (breathing difficulty), wheezing, and chest tightness.
Impact: Severely impairs quality of life, restricts daily activities, and acute exacerbations may be life-threatening.
Bronchial asthma:
Characteristics: A chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, causing an increased reactivity of the airways to various stimuli and resulting in reversible airflow limitation.
Common symptoms: Recurrent wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing (especially at night or in the early morning). The symptoms can be relieved on their own or after treatment.
Causes: Allergens (dust mites, pollen, pet dander, etc.), cold air, exercise, respiratory infections, smoke, etc.
Pneumonia:
Characteristics: Lung infections caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, resulting in inflammation of the alveoli and their filling with fluid or pus.
Common symptoms: fever, chills, cough (possibly with phlegm, the color could be yellow, green or rust-colored), chest pain (worsens with deep breathing or coughing), shortness of breath, fatigue.
At-risk groups: Infants and young children, the elderly, individuals with weakened immune systems, and those with underlying lung diseases.
Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSA):
Characteristic: Repeated episodes of apnea or hypopnea occur during sleep, resulting in a decrease in blood oxygen saturation and fragmented sleep.
Common symptoms: Loud and irregular snoring, sleep apnea (being awakened by breathing difficulties), increased nocturnal urination, morning headache, extreme daytime sleepiness, lack of concentration, mood swings.
Impact: In the long term, it can lead to serious complications such as hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Lung cancer:
Characteristic: It is a malignant tumor originating from the lungs and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide.
Common symptoms: In the early stage, there may be no symptoms. Later, persistent coughing, blood in sputum or blood in phlegm, chest pain, hoarseness of voice, unexplained weight loss, and shortness of breath may occur.
Key risk factors: Smoking (both active and passive), air pollution (including radon gas), occupational exposure (to substances such as asbestos and arsenic), family history.
II. Guarding Breathing: Active Prevention is Key
Prevention is always better than cure! The following measures can effectively reduce the risk of developing respiratory system diseases:
Resolutely quit smoking and stay away from second-hand smoke and third-hand smoke: This is the most important and effective measure for preventing various diseases such as COPD and lung cancer! There is no other way.
Improving indoor and outdoor air quality:
Indoor: Keep the room well-ventilated, use an air purifier (pay special attention to PM2.5 filtration), keep it clean to reduce dust mites, and avoid using strong-acting chemical cleaners.
Outside: Pay attention to the Air Quality Index (AQI). When pollution is severe, reduce outdoor activities or wear a qualified mask. On days with heavy smog or severe air pollution, for sensitive groups (such as the elderly and patients with COPD), using an oxygen generator at home can to some extent ensure the breathing environment and prevent inhaling too many pollutants from outdoor activities.
Enhance personal protection: In work environments where there is exposure to dust or chemical substances, be sure to wear protective masks correctly.
Prevention of respiratory tract infections:
Wash hands frequently: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and running water.
Vaccination: It is recommended to receive timely vaccinations for influenza and pneumococcal diseases (especially for the elderly over 65 years old, patients with chronic diseases, and those with weakened immune systems).
Enhance immunity: Maintain a balanced diet, have regular sleep patterns, and engage in moderate exercise.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle:
Regular exercise: Enhance the heart and lung functions, such as walking, swimming, Tai Chi, etc. (Choose according to your own condition).
Balanced nutrition: Consume more fresh fruits and vegetables and ensure adequate protein intake.
Maintaining a healthy weight: Obesity increases the risk of sleep apnea.
Adequate sleep: Ensure high-quality sleep.
Pay attention to early signs and have regular check-ups: Do not ignore persistent symptoms such as coughing, expectoration, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Seek medical attention promptly. For high-risk groups (such as long-term smokers), regular lung examinations (such as low-dose spiral CT) can help detect lung cancer at an early stage.
III. Home Oxygen Therapy: An Important Supportive Measure
For patients already suffering from moderate to severe COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, certain heart diseases, sleep apnea (used in conjunction with a ventilator), and other conditions that cause chronic hypoxemia, long-term home oxygen therapy (LTOT) under the guidance of a doctor is one of the important treatment methods. It can:
Correct hypoxia and increase blood oxygen saturation.
Relieve symptoms of breathing difficulties, improve activity endurance and quality of life.
Protect the functions of vital organs such as the heart and reduce complications.
Prolong survival (for patients with specific indications).
Caring for breathing starts with understanding and prevention, making every breath full of strength!