Staying Active For Better Health
For those living with chronic lung disease it is important to maintain an active, healthy lifestyle. Staying active will help exercise your respiratory system, strengthening it and making the symptoms of the disease less severe. While the symptoms of chronic lung disease make it more difficult to exercise and restrict the amount of exercise you can do, it is important to do as much as you can to keep a consistent exercise regimen both to improve your breathing and put you into a positive mindset.
Here are a few tips to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle for those currently on oxygen therapy:
Be sure to get enough sleep. Your body operates best when it has gotten enough sleep, typically between 7 and 9 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period. Getting enough sleep helps the immune system fight sickness, helps you focus, and gives you more energy throughout the day.
Avoid contact with germs and other microbes. Wash your hands regularly, and avoid touching your face, as germs enter the mouth easily through various points on the face. These precautions will help you stay healthy and fend off illness.
Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for health. Your talk to your doctor about finding the ideal weight for your age and build, and an exercise program to help you reach that weight. They may suggest that you either gain or lose weight in order to reach the optimal weight for you. Being overweight makes breathing more difficult, especially for those with chronic lung disease. Being underweight is dangerous, because anyone with chronic lung disease is at risk of additional weight loss in the case of an exacerbation.
Always stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is important to maintain healthy body function, and helps keep airways clear. It is especially important to increase water intake when exercising regularly, as the body loses water through sweat in periods of heightened activity.
Talk to your doctor for more advice about keeping a healthy lifestyle, and how you can improve other parts of life with other tips like these.