Making sure that our lungs stay in tip top condition is one of the most important things that you can do for your yourself. The lungs are a very delicate organ of the body and we expose them every day to potentially harmful elements in our everyday environment.

There are many factors in life that we may not have much control over and to a certain extent our environment is one of them. However, we can attempt to lower the impact of harmful substances that find their way into our lungs such as cigarette smoking, passive smoking, work related pollution, and outdoor and indoor air pollution.

For example did you realize that out of half the people who smoke will die of a smoking related disease? However, you can reverse the harmful effects immediately if you give up the evil weed, with your lungs beginning to clear after 24 hours and after 10 years you will run nearly the same risk of getting lung cancer as that of a non-smoker.

The importance of avoiding passive smoking has been highlighted with many countries now recognizing how much harm it can cause. If you have to go to a public area, try and sit in a non smoking section, and avoid spending time in confined areas with other smokers.

Health and Safety guidelines at work have been created for a reason to protect you. Make certain that you ask for, and be given, adequate safety equipment and always wear a face mask when working with dust, fumes or toxic substances. Your place of work should be well ventilated and machinery should have the necessary guards and extractors.

Even though there isn't much you can do about the environment outside, you can lessen the harm by exposing yourself to its affects for as little time as possible and in areas of heavy pollution you may be advised to wear a face mask.

Keeping your house clean and well ventilated will cut down on household pollutants. Don't be put under pressure to allow people to smoke in your home. Wash your bedding regularly and vacuum thoroughly. Avoid using aerosols and make sure that you have your heating apparatus serviced regularly.

If you feel that you are suffering from a lung disorder then make a visit to your doctor. If he considers that there is any cause for concern he will refer you to a lung specialist for tests.

To evaluate how well your lungs work you can take a test called a pulmonary function test (PFT) The object is to see how much air your lungs can hold, the speed of air passage and how well the lungs are doing

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