How to Check If Your Lungs Are Okay

Healthy lungs are a critical component to your overall health and well-being. As part of the respiratory system, they help ensure your body gets the oxygen it needs. Consequently, making sure that your lungs are are in tip-top shape is a must for everyone. Fortunately, there are cetain steps we can all take to help put our minds at ease and make sure that our lungs are healthy and functioning properly.

Instructions

• 1

  Watch your breathing. Breathing shouldn't be a chore--it should come naturally. If you notice that you are frequently short of breath or that you consistently have difficulty breathing in and out, this is a warning sign that something may not be right with your lungs.

• 2

  Keep a close eye on those coughs. If you have a persistent cough that doesn't seem to go away or if you ever cough up blood, take note. Both symptoms are red flags that something may be wrong.

• 3

  Make a record of prolonged mucus production. Mucus is one way your body responds to infections. Mucus production lasting a month should sound off warning bells in your head that your lungs likely aren't as healthy as they should be.

• 4

  Track any persistent chest pains. Pain is your body's way of letting you know something isn't right. If you notice you experience chest pains for an extended period of time, particularly pains associated with breathing, this could indicate a problem may exist.

• 5

  Get tested. If you have a family history of lung-related illnesses, your doctor may recommend certain tests to stay proactive and monitor your lung health. Chest X-rays and CT scans are just two tests that can assist in ruling out any problems.