The lungs are a specialized organ in your body that forms an essential part of your respiratory system - the system that enables you to breathe. Let’s investigate why having healthy lungs is important to life.
A life with lungs
Lungs help you breathe and also sustain life. When we inhale air to breathe, oxygen enters our lungs and is delivered to the rest of our body tissues. Our body tissues use oxygen to produce energy, allowing them to function properly, and thus sustain life. To ensure that your lungs are healthy, it is important to breathe fresh quality air. Avoiding smoking cigarettes is one of the easiest ways you can ensure healthy lungs.
Enjoy life
Simple, everyday tasks such as walking up and down the stairs, chatting with friends, or playing with children require healthy lungs. For those that enjoy more strenuous activities like hiking, swimming or other high-intensity sports, healthy lungs become even more important. The opposite is also true! One of the best ways to keep your lungs healthy for a long time is to exercise more frequently.
Live longer
Simply put, the healthier your lungs are, the more likely you are to live longer. Chronic respiratory disease is one of the Top 5 leading causes of death worldwide, up there with the more well known chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Estimates show that up to 7% of deaths are attributed to chronic respiratory disease. Frequent lung check-ups are the best way to monitor your lung health so you can live longer.