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Things That Can Damage Your Lungs

things-that-can-damage-your-lungsA lot of us tend to pay very little attention to our respiratory system as long as we are still able to breathe properly. We take about 20 thousand breaths a day of oxygen that we desperately need to live. These oxygen helps us to function from our brains to our toes. Our respiratory system is an important part of our anatomy. Little things that can affect it can create serious health problems.

Below are things that can damage our lungs.


Bleach is one of the most used household products in the world. Most heavy duty disinfectant such as chlorine, bleach and ammonia are dangerous to people with lung problems and can even trigger asthma attacks to people who’ve never had it. Inhaling this product for long periods of time for years can lead to lung problems in the future. You can substitute it with soap and water. People often think that we need a strong disinfectant to remove bacteria, but soap and water alone can remove most viruses and bacteria. You can use bleach if you are planning to kill an infection that you do not wish to spread such as someone in your home, having a flu, just make sure to dilute the mixture to reduce irritation.


Carpets can accumulate a lot of dirt, smoke, bacteria and so on in your home. People with lung problems should avoid getting carpets in their home and make sure to clean their rugs every week.


There really is no surprise that smoking is on this list. Smoking kills more than 300 thousand people in America a year. Second hand smoke also affects the people around you. The only way to protect yourself is to stop smoking. If someone in your home smokes, make sure that you do not inhale their second hand smoke by making them smoke somewhere far away from rooms where people gather.


Pesticides are created to rid of unwanted bugs, it is not something you really want to be inhaling. When spraying pesticides make sure that you are in a ventilated room and if possible wear a mask. Most pesticides will have instructions to help prevent irritation. Though, being prepared is still the best option.


You will inhale paint in a moment such as renovating your home or furniture. Paint emits harmful chemicals that can cause lung damage and can even trigger asthma attacks. When painting, make sure that the rooms are well ventilated and open a fan when paint is drying to prevent the chemicals from staying in your home.

Respiratory problems do not happen in a day, but with prolonged exposure. First signs of problems are shortness of breath, chronic chest pain, coughing up blood, excess mucus and so on. Over time, it can lead to serious problems such as asthma and lung cancer. Lung damage is not reversible. Protecting them from harmful elements is the best thing you can do to keep it healthy. Minimize your threats and reduce worsening of lung damage.


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