Lungs – Breathe in life

1. Lungs and breathing

Being able to breathe is the most essential action that any living creature has. It is pretty simple – without air there is no life! We can go for days without food, some days without water but it only take a few minutes without air for a life to cease.

Most of us don’t even think about the importance of breathing until we get a common flu or cold and start going through all the harsh symptoms it has, such as a blocked nose, coughing, fatigue and body soreness.

The flu is a temporary disease and with the right treatment, it will pass and you will be able to breathe normally again. But what if you lived with a chronic breathing condition? Feeling tired, fatigued, breathless, having a persistent cough and in some critical cases, carrying an oxygen tank with you everywhere you go are some of the challenges you may face on a daily basis. It would be very challenging to know that your life expectancy is now a lot shorter than someone with healthy lungs.

2. Lungs diseases stats

The Lung foundation Australia estimates that 1 in 10 Australians’ have some form of lung disease such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD), Asthma, bronchiectasis, lung cancer, influenza and pneumonia; just to mention the most common diseases.

There is a vast range of lung diseases that can impair a person’s respiratory system. Most of these diseases are undiagnosed as people often ignore symptoms such as breathlessness and productive cough. Furthermore, 3 in 5 Australians report symptoms or risk factors that indicate they may have a lung health issue (Lung Foundation Australia, 2015).

Fourteen percent of all deaths in Australia are caused by lung diseases including COPD, Asthma, bronchiectasis, lung cancer, influenza and pneumonia (Lung Foundation Australia, 2015).

The Australian Bureau of Statistics, reported that there were over 8,000 Australians who died from lung cancer in 2013. (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2015). There were 4,995 male deaths from lung cancer, making this the second leading cause for men in 2013 (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2015). Cancer Australia has also published a report in 2011 stating that Lung cancer accounts for around one in five deaths from cancer and that 90% of lung cancer in males and 65% in females is estimated to result from tobacco smoking (Cancer Australia, 2011).

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause for a number of lungs’ diseases such as lung cancer, COPD and emphysema (Lung Foundation Australia, 2015).

3. Prevention and treatment

Of course prevention is always better than remediation and it is no different for lung diseases. The first step is to check in with your lungs. Do they reach optimal health? You can do this by simply answering yes or no to an open web-based questionnaire from the Lung Foundation Australia. To complete this questionnaire please click here.

Another option is to perform a spirometry test. The test is simple and all you need to do is to blow 3 times into a spirometry machine and a qualified health professional can explain the results to you.

Smoking cessation – Smoking is the biggest threat to your lungs’ health so there is no surprise that quiting smoking will make you feel a lot better and healthier. Quitting is not easy, but you can certainly seek support to help you fully commit to the process.

Here is the Australian government website to help you quit cigarette smoking for good: http://www.quitnow.gov.au/internet/quitnow/publishing.nsf/Content/quitting-methods.

There are also a number of websites listed below that might be helpful to you.

You can also contact the Quit Line 13 78 48

• www.tobaccoinaustralia.org.au
• www.quitcoach.org.au
• www.icanquit.com.au
• www.quitnow.gov.au
• www.aascp.org.au

4. Exercise effects on lung diseases

Exercise is an important part of the treatment and the prevention of lung diseases in general. Improving the cardiovascular and muscular systems is essential to improve the quality of life of people suffering from chronic lung conditions.

Aerobic activities are essential to improve lung capacity and oxygen uptake of our body’s muscles. By performing strengthening exercises, the person can become stronger physically and feel better performing daily activities.

There are also specific breathing exercises that can be performed. You can check the exercises here.

According to the Lung Foundation Australia website, some of the benefits of regular exercise are:

• Improves your ability to do the activities needed for everyday tasks
• Reduces your breathlessness
• Improves your arm, body and leg muscle strength
• Clears mucus (or sputum) from your chest
• Improves your balance
• Improves your mood and make you feel more in control
• Makes you more independent
• Assists your weight control
• Improves your bone density

Before starting any form of exercise, consult your doctor or specialist to check that the exercises are suitable to your current status of health.

There are also several programs available to keep you motivated and supported by experts. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs are offered in hospitals and community health centres. There are also group exercises programs like Lungs in Action, for those who wish to continue their exercise program after the initial rehabilitation program.

Maintaining a regular exercise routine is very important for an effective rehabilitation program. Stopping exercise will result in loss of fitness and muscle strength (L. M. Spencer, 2010).

Good Health Starts Here!

Spotscreen’s Executive Health Assessments for workplaces provide a comprehensive evaluation of an individual’s overall health & wellbeing. Within the 60 minute assessment an Exercise Physiologist expert will assess lung & physical fitness as well as muscle strength and upper body endurance. For more information or to make a booking; contact us on 1300 305 230 or send us an email enquiries@spotscreen.net.au.

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2015, March 31). http://www.abs.gov.au. Retrieved from http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/3303.0~2013~Media%20Release~Changes%20in%20Australia’s%20leading%20causes%20of%20death%20(Media%20Release)~10041.
Cancer Australia. (2011). Cancer Australia. Report to the Nation – Lung Cancer 2011. . NSW: Cancer Australia.
L. M. Spencer, J. A. (2010, March). Maintaining benefits following pulmonary rehabilitation: a randomised controlled trial. European Respiratory Journal, 35 (3) 571-577; . doi:10.1183/09031936.00073609
Lung Foundation Australia. (2015). http://lungfoundation.com.au. Retrieved from http://lungfoundation.com.au/general-information/statistics/.