THE LUNGS Our lungs are greatly exposed to environment
The lungs are part of the respiratory tract that occupy a big space in the thoracic cavity. The right lung is shorter, broader and has a greater volume compared to the left lung. The right lung is divided into three lobes, whereas the left lung has two lobes, they are not equal in size and shape. When we breathe, air enters through the nose, into the pharynx, pass the larynx, through the trachea (windpipe) and is divided into the left and right bronchi into the lungs. When the diaphragm contracts, air is taken into the lungs (inhalation). At the relaxation of the diaphragm, air is let out of the lungs (exhalation). Under normal conditions, the average adult takes in about 12 to 15 breaths per minute. One breath is a complete cycle of one inhalation and one exhalation.
When we talk about the respiratory system, we often think of breathing. Each day, your lungs take in about 23,000 breaths subconsciously. This is about 10,000 quarts of air that goes through your pair of lungs. But the respiratory system does more than just breathing. It provides continuous supply of oxygen for the metabolic processes that take place in the body. It works with the (blood) circulatory system by providing oxygen and to remove waste products from the metabolic processes. The lungs also helps regulate the pH level of the blood.
The lungs have a great exposure to the environment where the air we breathe contains micro-organisms, chemicals, dust, dust mites, environmental pollution. These particles in the air are so tiny that our naked eyes cannot see them, but they are there. The larger particles get trapped by nasal hairs and are being eliminated by sneezing, blowing the nose, or swallowed.
Some of these particles that managed to get pass the natural "traps" and filters, end up in the lungs. They may get moved out of the lungs into the circulatory system, being exhaled or are swallowed.
The particles that get into the circulatory system are free radicals that roam freely in our body, to vandalize and damage our cells.
This picture is how a (sample) free radical, a foreign matter, looks like. It has thorns (like a durian) that punctures and cause severe damages to our cells. We want to reduce this in our body as much as possible. This is what we inhale into our body, so don't underestimate fumes, gases or air pollution. Inhale too much of airborne toxins and not able to destroy them in time, can cause severe damages to not only our lungs but also other parts of our body. There are also viruses and allergens that cause problem if/when our immune system is low.
The common diseases that affect the lungs are of inflammatory nature, caused by inhaled toxins, and certain foods like dairy products:
While there are some foods that can help detoxify your lungs (and I will cover these later), there are also some breathing techniques that you can start doing to use the full capacity of your lungs.
Regular deep breathing exercises are therapeutic by itself and helps expel about 70% of waste by-products. When we fill up our lungs and heavily oxygenate them, it will also reduce viruses, bacterial and fungal growth.
Check yourself: Quietly notice how much (or how little) your chest raise when you breathe normally, not very much I suspect. In fact, in some people it's hardly raised that you won't even notice the difference between inhaling and exhaling. Now, take a deep breath and hold it. Notice the difference? That's the capacity of your lung which are not being used.
Deep Breathing Exercise
Most people do very shallow breathing. Make deep breathing a daily exercise, just 5-10 minutes each time, or do it whenever you remember.
If you can, take an early morning walk outside the house when the air is still fresh after the morning dew. Do slow inhaling/exhaling breathing exercise and hold for about five seconds at each inhalation. Breathing must be deep, using the diaphragm, sucking in your abdomen, and then slowly exhaling. Deep breathing in clean air also provides energy to your body that can last for hours.
Below is a short video that you can follow to practice deep breathing:
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The particles that do reach the alveoli can become trapped and do permanent damages to the lungs. As in the case of emphysema, the alveoli (air sacs) are damaged or loses their elasticity.
