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Elderly Lung Disease

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Elder Care and Lung Disease

Lung diseases rank among the most common ailments in the world. In fact, there are tens of millions of cases in America alone. It is the number three cause of death in the United States. Lung disease is not one single problem, but an umbrella for a large number of specific diseases that attack the lungs.

The body needs oxygen to survive. When we breathe, the lungs fill with air and oxygen is transferred to the cells and taken to the body by the blood. When we breathe out, the body expels carbon dioxide and other gasses. On average, we complete this process around 25,000 times in a single day. When a person has lung disease the lungs cannot fill with air properly or the oxygen transfer is impeded. A few of the types of lung disease include COPD, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, emphysema, lung cancer, asthma.

The main causes of lung disease include smoking, cancer, and inhaled …show more content…

Since seniors often have immune systems that are not as strong as they were in younger years, it is important to take precautions to avoid sickness. Preventing sickness by washing hands, getting a flu shot each year, seeing the dentist to prevent oral infections, and receiving a pneumonia vaccine are all ways to lessen the chances of developing lung disease.

Eating a diet high in vitamins A C, and D along with plenty of zinc and magnesium can help keep the body strong. Aerobic exercise helps the body use oxygen efficiently. Put together, a healthy diet and regular exercise can significantly reduce the risks of lung disease.

In addition to taking precautions, it is important to have regular medical checkups, especially if there are risk factors that lead to an increased chance of lung disease. Often the doctor will be able to notice problems with the lungs during routine checkups that can prevent problems from turning into something more

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