OCTOBER IS LUNG HEALTH MONTH
by Phillips Clinic on 10/25/20
OCTOBER IS LUNG HEALTH MONTH
We rarely think about breathing except when it’s hard to do. That’s why in October, we talk about the importance of protecting our lungs against general neglect, disease, mold, air pollution, and smoking. Bottom line: If we take care of our lungs, our lungs will take care of us.
During a normal day, we breathe nearly 25,000 times. The air we inhale is mostly oxygen and nitrogen, but small amounts of other gases, floating bacteria, and viruses are mixed in. It also contains varying amounts of pollutants from the atmosphere – tobacco smoke, automobile exhaust, industrial bi-products, cleaning products, and more.
Your entire body depends on your lungs to keep breathing and distributing oxygen-rich blood throughout your body and to get rid of the body’s gaseous waste, carbon dioxide. Our bodies do have a natural defense system designed to protect the lungs, keeping dirt, germs and other irritants at bay.
During general wellness annual exams, or when problems seem to occur with breathing, Phillips Clinic has exams available onsite to determine what the issue may be. And, to recommend appropriate treatments.
CHEST XRAY
Chest X-rays produce images of your heart, lungs, blood vessels, airways, and the bones of your chest and spine.
or around your lungs or air surrounding a lung.
If you go to your doctor or the emergency room with chest pain, a chest injury or shortness of breath, you will typically get a chest X-ray. The image helps your doctor determine whether you have heart problems, a collapsed lung, pneumonia, broken ribs, emphysema, cancer or any of several other conditions.
Chest X-rays can also be done over time to track whether a health problem is getting better or worse.
PULMONARY FUNCTION TEST (PFT)
Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are noninvasive tests that show how well the lungs are working. The tests measure lung volume, capacity, rates of flow, and gas exchange. This information can help your healthcare provider diagnose and treat lung disorders.
out of the lungs Restrictive. This is when the lung tissue and/or chest muscles can’t expand enough. This creates problems with air flow, mostly due to lower lung volumes
