Cebu City -- The lungs are one of the integral organs in our body. It keeps us alive and breathing. A lot of times the things we do daily can overdo or maybe exhaust our lungs so keeping our lungs healthy is very important. The body already has its natural defense to keep germs, bacteria, and dirt at bay. 

There are things you can do to help your body in maintaining a healthy lung, so here are three tips to guide you.

TIP #1: Avoid smoking. 

In smoking cigarette whether it is tobacco or e-cigarette, keep it in mind that that you are giving your lungs a foreign substance that it is not accustomed to. Smoking has been the major cause of lung cancer and chronic pulmonary diseases (COPD) like emphysema and bronchitis. The smoke you are giving to your lungs narrows the air passages where it can be inflamed therefore breathing can be difficult. It can also cause tissue damages to the lungs which can grow into cancer. 

You also need to take note that the people around you are also being affected by the cigarette. Secondhand smoking may sound like it is not a serious matter, but research has shown that secondhand smokers are much prone to the effects of smoking. It is better to quit as early as possible before it is too late. 

TIP #2: Lessen the exposure to air pollution. 

The air quality that we breathe is also crucial in maintaining a healthy lung. The air quality in the community may be out of our control but surrounding yourself with plants and trees can help in improving the air quality in your environment. It is also advantageous to place indoor plants into your homes to improve the air in your own personal space. 

TIP #3: Exercise regularly. 

Doing exercise may seem like a lot of work for your lungs and heart but lung muscles and heart muscles will become stronger by doing exercises. By doing these physical activities also helps your body in carrying out oxygen to the different organs and muscles, which trains your body to adapt to strenuous activities over time. // NO I Christine April M. Lopez, RND