Lung health and function are not easily ignored. Each day, the average human takes somewhere between 16,000 and 30,000 breaths. So many of us breathe effortlessly on a daily basis, but for others, it is a constant battle to make it through their day. 

October is the time to celebrate happy lungs and to understand issues for serious lung problems.

For those that have asthma, it is important to reduce the triggers that aggravate it as much as possible. The best place to start is with the home. 

The home, where asthmatics spend the most time, may have more asthma triggers than you realize. 

Here are four ways to improve the air quality in your home to make life easier, and healthier, for both asthmatics and non-asthmatics alike.

How does driving affect your lungs?

On average, a person takes approximately 17,000-23,000 breaths a day. The number varies based on several factors, including a person’s lifestyle and environment. 

This statistic proves just how important the lungs are. You are constantly using them to fuel the rest of your body.

Lungs act at the first point of contact for oxygen as it enters the body. From there, oxygen is dispersed throughout the bloodstream, being carried to cells throughout the body. Each cell transfers carbon dioxide when it receives oxygen. The blood carries the carbon dioxide back to the lungs where it is removed through exhaling. This gas exchange is necessary for everyday functioning.

In order to keep this process going, it’s crucial to keep your lungs healthy. Lung-related health complications can negatively affect the oxygen flow to your cells, along with a variety of other body processes. These ailments vary from viruses and colds to chronic conditions and lifelong sickness and cancer. Certain lung conditions can be hereditary, or caused by genetics. Such conditions include asthma, cystic fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 

However, certain lung conditions are non-inheritable; that is, caused by environmental and lifestyle factors. While not always 100% preventable, these conditions can be avoided.

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Listen in as Pam and Michelle answer your personal health questions.

You commute, you bike, run, walk outside, breathing in everything that is in the environment around you... how is this affecting your lungs?