That afternoon, the sun was just right, and Lao Li was sitting on a rattan chair on the balcony, holding a cigarette in his hand, his eyes were a little confused. He looked at the children downstairs playing, but his heart was not happy. He has been smoking cigarettes for more than 20 years, and he used to think it was nothing when he was young, but recently he often feels tightness in his chest, and every breath is no longer as smooth as before.
He remembers that when he was twenty or thirty years old, he was physically strong and could climb several floors in one breath, but now, he was out of breath after climbing a few stairs.
Every time he smoked, the tightness in his chest became even more pronounced, and he sometimes even worried about whether he would collapse suddenly.
His son, Xiao Li, came out of the room and couldn't help frowning when he saw his father smoking again. He knew that his father was a heavy smoker, but he was more worried about his father's health. He walked up to his father and asked softly, "Dad, are you feeling unwell again?" Your face is not very good. ”
Lao Li sighed, pressed the cigarette butt into the ashtray, and said with a wry smile: "Yes, I feel that my body is not as good as before." He paused, then said, "Eh, you're a man too, you know, I've been smoking this cigarette for so many years."
Why do some people have problems when they smoke, and some centenarians smoke all their lives and are still in good health?
Smoke, a seemingly ethereal substance, is actually a complex mixture of harmful compounds. Of these ingredients, nicotine is undoubtedly the most well-known. Nicotine is highly addictive and can act quickly on the brain, triggering a short-term feeling of pleasure that can make smokers dependent on tobacco.
In addition to nicotine, smoke also contains a variety of other substances that are harmful to the human body. Carbon monoxide is one of them, which binds to hemoglobin and reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen, leading to a lack of oxygen to the body's tissues. In addition, tar contains hundreds of known carcinogens, which can form deposits in the lungs and accumulate over time to greatly increase the risk of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.
Benzopyrene, as a strong carcinogen in tar, can not be underestimated as a damage to the human body. Its deposition in the lungs can trigger cell mutations and is one of the main causes of lung cancer. At the same time, nitrosamines and some heavy metals (such as lead and cadmium) in smoke are also serious health threats, which can damage lung tissue and affect the body's immune system.
In our daily lives, maintaining lung health is more important than we think. Through long-term clinical observation and research, the director of the Department of Internal Medicine has proposed six lifestyle habits to help us protect our lungs and reduce the occurrence of diseases.
01Increase the amount of time you spend exercising regularly
Exercise is one of the best ways to boost lung function. Regular aerobic exercise, such as jogging, brisk walking or swimming, can improve cardiorespiratory endurance and increase lung capacity. Imagine jogging in a green park in the early morning sun that not only boosts your heart and lungs, but also makes your mood happy.
02 Eat more lung-nourishing foods in life
Food has a direct impact on lung health. For example, ingredients such as pear, lily and white fungus are rich in antioxidants and vitamins, which can effectively moisten the lungs and relieve cough. These ingredients not only purify the lungs but also strengthen the body's immunity.
03Reduce the frequency of smoking
Tobacco is the enemy of lung health. Even if you can't quit smoking right away, smoking less often is a way to protect your lungs. Whenever you want to smoke, remind yourself that the health of your lungs is more worthy of our cherishing.
04Regular medical checkups
Regular pulmonary function tests and chest X-rays can help us stay informed about the health of our lungs. This approach enables early detection and treatment of various lung diseases, especially for smokers and city dwellers.
05Drink plenty of water
Increasing your water intake in moderation can help keep your airways moist and reduce coughing and discomfort caused by dryness. Know that water is the source of life and a supporter of healthy breathing.
06Do not relight the cigarette
Some people have the habit of lighting a half-lit cigarette and then extinguishing it and lighting it again after a while. This not only increases the risk of inhaling more harmful substances, but may also exacerbate the damage to the lungs. So, avoiding this behavior is a simple and effective way to protect your lung health.