I monitor the air in my home. According to some studies, indoor air is 10 times more polluted than outdoor air! It’s imperative to ventilate thoroughly every day, for about ten minutes (even in winter!) and during your most polluting activities: during or after cleaning, cooking, or doing DIY. Also ensure you have efficient ventilation with a functioning mechanical ventilation system, especially in humid rooms. Keep an eye out for mold. If it’s stubborn, a specialized company will come to your rescue.
I’m switching to eco-cleaning. Detergent products, especially sprays, release allergenic particles that irritate the bronchi. Ban aerosol cans, as well as air fresheners, including those with essential oils. They release volatile organic compounds that, once inhaled, harm the lungs. To dust, switch to microfiber cloths, which are more environmentally friendly and less toxic.
I turn down the heating. A temperature of 19°C in winter is ideal for living rooms and 16 to 17°C for bedrooms. “Heat dehydrates the airways, which are then less able to defend themselves against viruses,” continues the pulmonologist. Also, remember to wash your hands regularly.
I practice nasal irrigation. Morning and evening, with your head tilted to one side, inject saline solution into one nostril and allow the liquid to flow out the other without swallowing. “This action prevents viruses from ‘falling’ onto the bronchial tubes in the case of a cold,” explains Dr. Bellocq, who nevertheless advises against seawater sprays due to the pressure they exert inside the nostrils.
I stay active. Exercise keeps my breathing and the entire muscular system, including the heart, active. Endurance activity (brisk walking, swimming, cycling, light jogging, etc.), two to three sessions per week of 20 to 60 minutes, is ideal. In everyday life: walk to do your errands and drop the kids off at school, take the stairs instead of the elevator, get off the bus or subway earlier to finish the journey walking, etc.
I breathe through my nose. When air passes through the nostrils, it is filtered by the nasal cilia. This is a first barrier against unwanted substances such as viruses or dust. Upon contact with the nasal mucous membranes, it is slightly warmed and humidified, which promotes gas exchange and better irrigation of the adenoids, the immune organs that protect the body from infections.
Is wearing a mask to protect your lungs a good idea?
During a respiratory virus epidemic, and if you know you’re frag
It can be useful when traveling on public transport or if you are caring for children with colds.
How to protect your lungs? Expert advice
“Protecting your respiratory capacity is essential,” explains Dr. Agnès Bellocq, a pulmonologist at Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris and president of the Santé Recup’Air network, the healthcare network coordinating outpatient respiratory rehabilitation programs in the Île-de-France region for patients with COPD.
Is COPD on the rise?
More than 5 million French people are affected by this disease, 4 to 5% of whom experience daily discomfort. The leading cause of COPD is smoking, and the number of women affected continues to rise.
When should you be concerned?
