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By THOMAS O'BRIEN, Guest Columist
November 16, 2005
One of the most overlooked and neglected bodily functions many people take for granted is breathing.
For most people, this function occurs nearly 25,000 times a day, and normally goes unnoticed. However, for those suffering from any form of lung disease, breathing becomes the center of attention as they try to get enough air into their bodies. There are more than 30-million people in the United States suffering and living with lung disease. This number is staggering, because many lung diseases are caused by preventable behaviors and self-inflicted abuses.
Lungs may be the most important life-sustaining organs in the body. The lungs allow us to breathe the air that supplies the oxygen into the bloodstream and the cells of our bodies. The air we breathe consists mostly of oxygen and nitrogen. Unfortunately, many other substances in the air have been shown to be unhealthy, such as bacteria, viruses, tobacco smoke, exhaust fumes, and other pollutants. This is not to say we should stop breathing to prevent damage to our lungs, this simply means we need to take the necessary precautions to prevent and avoid lung diseases.
There are many types of lung diseases, varying from asthma and bronchitis to lung cancer and respiratory failure. The most common signs of lung disease are difficulty breathing and the feeling of not getting enough air and a shortness of breath. In extreme cases, a persistent cough that will not go away, coughing up blood and pain while inhaling or exhaling are indicators of serious lung disease.
The single most preventable cause of death and disease, including lung disease, is tobacco use. The American Cancer Society estimates that cigarette smoking is responsible for one of every five deaths in the United States, more than 440,000 deaths each year. The society also predicts that if this trend continues, an estimated 25-million people alive today will die from smoke-related illnesses. Smokers are not alone. Secondhand smoke also increases your chances of getting lung disease. To reduce the risks of lung disease associated with smoking, smokers should consider quitting and people should limit or avoid their exposure to secondhand smoke.
Often, when we talk about lung disease, most people associate it with smoking. However, there are several other causes many people overlook. Precautionary measures such as wearing proper breathing equipment on the job can greatly reduce the chances of getting lung disease. If you are exposed to chemicals, sanding dust and particles, spray painting, sandblasting, or any other job that introduces contaminants into the air, then you should be wearing the appropriate mask or respirator. People who work in this kind of environment are especially vulnerable to inhaling large amounts of contaminants. The stirred up dust and small particles float in the air and stick to clothes and exposed body parts. When a person inhales these particles, they can become stuck in the lungs, damaging lung cells and eventually may lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or even lung cancer.
If you are currently employed and exposed to such conditions, check with your employers to ensure that you are equipped with the proper safety equipment and follow all Occupational Safety and Health Administration compliance and guidelines. If you are a smoker, you should seriously reconsider your behavior to avoid being one of the estimated 25-million people who will succumb to some form of lung disease.
This public service article was provided by Thomas O'Brien, health educator at the Citrus County Health Department.
Reproduction of copyrighted material is at the discretion of the individual, and is made pursuant to the individual's election under 17 USC 107, the Fair Use exception to Federal copyright restrictions.
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