How to tell if your lungs are healthy

We all know that COVID-19 is a lung disease caused by a novel coronavirus first detected in late 2019. COVID-19 and its symptoms can range from mild to severe. Anyone can get COVID-19, but some individuals are more at risk for severe disease than others.

To see if your lungs are healthy, try this test:

-         Run up two flights of stairs or walk six blocks at a brisk pace. If you can do either one without pausing to rest, your lungs are probably in pretty good shape.

-         Do this test every month as a way of monitoring your lung function and overall fitness level. One of the warning signs of decreased lung function is a change in your ability to complete the test from being able to do the stairs easily to suddenly having a lot of trouble with it.

A Peak Flow Meter:

- A home lung function test uses a peak flow meter or a home spirometer to monitor and evaluate any breathing problems you may have on a day-to-day basis. A peak flow meter allows you to measure your peak expiratory flow. A home spirometer allows you to measure your forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV1).

- If you have a lung disease, such as asthma, your doctor may test your peak expiratory flow (PEF) to measure the amount of air you can inhale and quickly exhale. This is tracked to see how well asthma is managed.

- To perform the peak expiratory flow (PEF) test, you need a peak flow meter. A peak flow meter is an inexpensive handheld device you breathe into as hard and as fast as you can.

- Avoid eating a heavy meal before performing a PEF test. Be sure to sit up or stand up as straight as possible to help you take as large a breath as you can. Use the same position every time you test your PEF. Peak flow monitoring relies on your trying as hard as you can. For accurate results, be sure to give the test your best effort every time.

- Using a Peak Flow Meter is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to track the daily progress of your lung health. This device might be handy if you have an ailment like chronic bronchitis or emphysema, but you’ll want to ask your doctor if a home test is right for you.

Read more: 6 reasons why you shouldn't worry about COVID-19 vaccines

A healthy, anti-inflammatory diet for lung inflammation

Nutrition experts will encourage you to switch to an anti-inflammatory diet, because even if it does not necessarily help cure your condition, it helps lower your chances of complications. These foods are usually plant-based proteins, great source of fiber, and contain omega-3.

-Whole Grains: Oatmeal, whole-wheat bread/wraps, brown rice.

- Nuts: Walnuts, almonds, pistachios, cashews.

- Fatty Fish: Salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines.

- Green Leafy Vegetables:  Spinach, kale, collards.

- Fruits:  Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cherries.

- Beans:  Chickpeas, lentils, peas, kidney beans, black beans.

- Olive Oil: Extra-virgin olive oil is the least processed or refined.

- Herbs and Spices:  Turmeric, garlic, ginger, cinnamon.

- Avocados:  Packed with potassium, magnesium, and heat-healthy fats.

- Tomatoes:  Rich in lycopene and contain folate.

A healthy, anti-inflammatory diet will do wonders for your body and mind

Stay Hydrated

The best way to keep your airways moist is to stay hydrated! It is also a super easy way to improve your lung health. Staying hydrated helps keep the mucosal linings in the lungs thin.

Take Vitamin D

According to a study presented by the American Thoracic Society (ATS), people with COPD can benefit from vitamin D. The theory is that since vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties, it can help alleviate the characteristic lung inflammation. You can find out here if you have have vitamin D deficiency  5 proven signs that you have vitamin D deficiency