Whether you enjoy going out for long walks or long runs, whether you want to be able to take a deep breath of sea fresh air in the morning or simply live a long and productive life, having healthy lungs is an absolute must. However, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the one of the leading causes of death in the United States, a fact that should motivate us all to take greater care of our lungs and actively look out for their health and welfare. If properly taken care of our lungs can remain strong throughout our lives, but if neglected or abused, they can cause our death far before our time.

The first and most obvious tip that is equally disregarded is that we should all be avoiding smoke and smoking in general. Gone are the years when images of James Dean smoking would prompt thousands to take up the habit; decades of warnings from the Surgeon General have finally clued the masses into how terrible cigarette smoke is for our lungs. This also extends to other kinds of smoke, such as pipe, cigar, and marijuana. Even second hand and third hand smoke is deleterious to our health, so avoid it at all costs. Continue Reading →