PROTECT YOUR LUNGS
Dr. Raju Reddy practices Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine in Pittsburgh, PA. A pulmonologist is a physician who possesses specialized knowledge and skill in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary conditions and diseases. Dr. Reddy manages patients who need life support and mechanical ventilation, and is specially... more
Although you may take them for granted, your lungs are amazing organs. Your pulmonary system plays many roles including taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. However, there are conditions and diseases that can affect your lungs and compromise their function. Thus, it is vitally important to do as much as possible to protect them from the many injurious insults that they are exposed to.
LIMIT EXPOSURE TO POLLUTANTS
When we are young adults, our lungs are more readily able to resist damage from harmful chemicals and toxins in the air. However, as we age, our pulmonary system is more susceptible to these toxins, which can lead to diseases and impairment in lung function.
To minimize your exposure, try to avoid living in areas known to have high air pollution (see: https://www.lung.org/research/sota). Also, avoid working or living near areas of heavy traffic. Certain jobs in mining, construction, and waste management can increase your risk of exposing your lungs to harmful toxins.
Since we tend to spend a large portion of our time indoors, we are prone to getting exposed to harmful indoor air pollutants. Some simple steps that can help minimize your exposure to these chemicals include making your home a smoke-free zone and regularly opening windows. Indoor radon levels should and can be readily assessed for. Radon is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas; you can only determine if your home has high radon levels by getting it tested. This can either be performed by a trained radon specialist or simply by purchasing a radon detector/kit. You can also avoid using artificial air fresheners and candles, which can potentially expose you to harmful chemicals.
QUIT SMOKING AND AVOID IT ALTOGETHER
Although it is well known that smoking increases one’s chances of getting lung cancer, it can also cause other diseases such as COPD and accelerate or exacerbate many lung conditions.
Cigarette smoke contains hundreds of toxins, including carbon monoxide, nicotine, and tar. These chemicals can cause inflammation and mucus to build up in a person’s lungs, making it more difficult for individuals to breathe.
Smoking is responsible for about 90% of all lung cancer deaths. Every year, more women die from this disease than breast cancer. If you’re still struggling with your smoking habit, it’s important to consider giving up this dangerous habit by seeking assistance from professionals.
E-cigarettes, which officially entered the U.S. marketplace in 2007, are electronic devices that appear similar to regular cigarettes but are designed to deliver a chemical solution, such as nicotine. They are commonly referred to as “vapes” or “juuls.” Due to their popularity among young people, they are now considered an epidemic.
Although there is currently still more to be understood regarding the long-term effects of e-cigarettes, there are growing concerns about their potential to cause lung injury and other health problems. The American Lung Association (ALA) is concerned that the use of e-cigarettes could lead to the loss of a generation to tobacco-related diseases.
The ALA is also worried about the rise in use of e-cigarettes by youths. According to the CDC, over 2 million middle and high school students reported having used these products in 2021. This growing concern has called upon the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take additional steps to protect children from these products.
WHAT ARE E-CIGARETTES?
E-cigarettes are devices that are designed to deliver nicotine and other chemical solutions to users. Unlike traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes are designed to allow users to breathe in an aerosol containing specific substances. The heating element used in these devices, which is usually a cartridge, creates a chemical-filled vapor.
WHAT DO E-CIGARETTES CONTAIN?
The main components of e-cigarettes include the tanks or cartridges that contain the liquid used to create the vapor. In order to create an e-liquid, the tobacco used is extracted and mixed with a base chemical, which is usually propylene glycol. Some of the other chemicals used in this process include colors and toxic flavorings that can result in lung damage.
WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF E-CIGARETTES?
Even small amounts of exposure to two frequent components of e-cigarettes, vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol, can expose users to dangerous toxins. This finding suggests that the use of these products could lead to the development of lung injury. Despite the lack of definitive information regarding the long-term effects of e-cigarettes, it is clear that they pose a potential risk.
WHAT IS BEING DONE TO PROTECT THE YOUNGER GENERATION FROM E-CIGARETTES?
The American Lung Association and other public health organizations sued the FDA in March 2018, challenging its decision to allow the sale of electronic cigarettes and other tobacco products for years without approval.
A federal judge ruled in favor of the American Lung Association on May 15, 2019, concluding that the FDA should have established a thorough pre-market review process for e-cigarettes and other new tobacco products.
In the latest effort to protect youths from e-cigarettes, the legislation raised the minimum age for the sale of tobacco products to 21 in all 50 states. The hope is that these regulations will lessen the negative impact that these products have had on adolescents.
