October is Healthy Lung Month, reminding people to take care of their lungs, promote education of lung diseases, and support those diagnosed with lung disease.
Healthy Lung Month encourages those who have been affected by lung diseases to take control and learn more about new treatment options available.
Common Lung Conditions
According to WebMD, some of the most common lung condition include asthma, COPD, lung cancer, and tuberculosis.
- COPD has become increasingly common, affecting more than sixty million Americans each year. It is caused by extreme exposure to irritants such as cigarette smoke, gases, or harmful chemicals. COPD is a progressive disease that is often characterized by chronic cough, wheezing and labored breathing among other symptoms. Currently, there is no cure for COPD, but local physicians are continuing to search for the most effective treatment options.
- Asthma causes airways in the lungs to narrow and make it difficult to breathe. This may cause shortness in breath, wheezing, or tightness in the chest. Asthma affects more than twenty-five million people in the U.S. Currently, there is no known cure for asthma, but there are ways to cope with symptoms.
- Persistent Asthma is defined as still having asthmatic symptoms even when consistently using an inhaler or controller medication. According to WebMD, those with persistent asthma have lung function that is 60% below average based on sex, age, and height.
Join the movement
This month, you can participate in awareness activities and campaigns on these common types of lung conditions.
Take part in an event
LungForce organizes walks and runs across the U.S. in hopes to raise awareness on lung cancer and other conditions.
See events located near you HERE.
Educate yourself
Research more about lung conditions that may affect you or your loved ones. You could learn more about common conditions, ways to cope with your condition, or ways to prevent triggers. Read more about common lung conditions HERE.
Plant a tree
Healthy Lung Month also aims at enforcing ways to eradicate environmental factors that can cause lung problems. This is the perfect opportunity to put your green-thumb skills to practice as well as doing your part to create a clean air environment.
Participate in research studies
In support of further benefiting respiratory health, new care options may be available for those who suffer from pulmonary conditions. Research studies allow you to have the opportunity to learn more about your condition, provide possible new options for treatment, and give hope to future generations. Your participation is completely voluntary and reimbursement for time travel expenses is also available for qualified participants.
To learn more about pulmonology research studies, click HERE!
