Lungs are an integral part of the human body, being the primary organ of the respiratory system. For optimal breathing, it is important that your lung health is intact. Breathing clean air, which ensures better lung function is impaired due to worsening air pollution conditions particularly in tier-1 and in tier-2 cities. World lung day is observed every year on 25th September to spread awareness regarding lung health and save people from falling prey to lung diseases. Onlymyhealth spoke to Dr Pradeep Bajad, Assistant Professor at Amrita Hospital & School of Medicine, Faridabad who highlighted the importance of lung cleansing for improved lung functioning.
What Is Lung Cleansing?
In today’s era, getting treated for each and everything is becoming popular. However, it is important to note that the availability of diverse supplements and medications doesn't negate the existence of preventive science. According to the American Lung Association, natural remedies and detoxification diets were trending lately as a great way of detoxifying the body.
Adding to this, Dr Bajad shares that the epidemiology of lung cancer has been extensively researched, and several well-established risk factors include smoking and occupational hazards. Lung cleansing involves the removal of substances that are harmful to your lungs.
While many medications on the market and the internet claim to detoxify or cleanse your lungs, even in cases of damaged lungs due to conditions like lung fibrosis or malignancies, the effectiveness of such methods is questionable. It is important to ask whether these modalities genuinely deliver on their promises. What potential benefits do they offer, if any? And, critically, do they carry any risks to your health?
Also Read: Types of Lung Cancer Non-Smokers Develop And How It Can Be Treated
Why and How To Practise Lung Cleansing?
In Dr Bajad’s words, “Our bodies are inherently designed to cleanse and maintain each organ naturally healthy. In the realm of medical literature, there is no single therapy or drug that can work miracles in healing a diseased lung. However, this does not imply that we can do nothing to prevent it. The most crucial "cleansing therapy" is to avoid exposure to hazardous substances.”
Here are some essential tips to promote optimal lung health, which in turn supports the cleansing of your lungs and the overall well-being of your body:
Quitting smoking is the most effective way to minimise and heal lung damage. No matter if you are smoking for 30 days or 30 years, reducing and eventually quitting is the first step towards lung cleansing.
Also Read: Do You Know What Happens In Your Body When You Quit Smoking?
Exercising regularly is a quintessential part of a healthy lifestyle. The right amount and type of activity have many benefits, including natural and healthy restoration of your lungs. Be sure to ask your doctor before changing your exercise routine. Engage in regular physical activity to improve lung function and overall health. Aerobic exercises, like brisk walking or swimming, are particularly beneficial.
Diet regulation is another must-have for overall wellness including lung health. You should eat a reasonable amount of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, rich in antioxidants like berries, dark green vegetables, oats, and fish. Antioxidant supplements have not been shown to help prevent cancer and can sometimes harm your health.
Poor air quality is a proven risk for various lung diseases, including asthma, COPD, and lung cancer. It is essential to understand the air quality index (AQI) and make necessary changes in your lifestyle if AQI levels are alarming in your city. Dr Bajad recommends doing the following to protect your lungs from pollution:
- Avoid exercising outdoors on bad air days
- Avoid exercising near high-traffic areas
- N95 and carbon masks are effective in reducing air pollutant exposure.
Indoor air is also essential to address lung health. Poor AQI may lead to travel pollutants to houses also. Proper vacuuming and good-quality air purifiers can help reduce the pollutants' burden.
Also Read: Air Pollution And Lung Cancer: Role Of Endobronchial Ultrasound In Diagnosis And Treatment
Watch this video for some amazing lung detox tips:
What should one not do?
- There is no therapy or medicine like detoxifying your lungs, so do not believe in e-market-based drugs/pills or any inhaled substance.
- Do not engage yourself in any substance abuse
There is no therapy like cleaning your lungs with water or any substance to remove lung cancer-causing toxins from your lungs. Endoscopic (bronchoscopy) procedures are available to diagnose or treat various specific conditions. Meeting a pulmonologist (a lung specialist) would help you to decide the need for such a procedure in a lung cancer patient.
