It seems that practically every month has a significant event connected to it. February is Black History Month. April is Stress Awareness Month & Sexual Assault Awareness Month. August is National Eye Exam Month. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month & Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
November also has several things linked to it. Many of them have to do with the lungs. November is COPD Awareness Month, Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and Great American Smoke Out Month. These issues resonate with me since I am a Respiratory Therapist.
While some pulmonary disorders are genetic & unavoidable, most can be prevented by avoiding certain things. That’s where the Great American Smoke Out comes into play. As a former smoker– and a Respiratory Therapist- I try to encourage smokers to quit. If you have already quit- that’s awesome! Congratulations on your success. If you have never smoked, better yet.
There are a number of issues that come with respiratory disorders- shortness of breath, limited mobility, and even heart complications in some instances. There are ways those experiencing such symptoms can improve their situation. Of course, medication can often help to alleviate specific symptoms. Check with your doctor to determine if medications would be appropriate for you.
There are also other things you can do if you are suffering from a respiratory ailment. Breathing exercises can help to relieve some of the difficulties you might be experiencing. Many resources can be found online- but again, it is important to discuss your individual situation with your healthcare provider to determine what treatments & practices are best for your unique situation.
Diet & exercise can also have a big impact on lung function. Now I’m not saying that people with lung disorders need to go on a diet, but certain foods can have a big impact on some lung disorders. For instance, those with COPD often benefit by following a specific diet regimen. Talk with your doctor to figure out if you should adopt specific eating habits.
I have included links to just a few online resources that can help you improve & maintain your respiratory health. You can get to these resources by clicking on the highlighted text in this post. I am not endorsing these sites. They are just some of the sites that I found by conducting a basic search. There are many more that can be found. These sites can help you start a meaningful discussion with your doctor so you can get on a path to better breathing.