Lung disease is a major health issue, but its burden continues to be underestimated. Millions of people in the United States suffer from lung disease.
If all forms of lung disease are lumped together, it is the number 3 killer in the U.S.
The lungs play an essential role in the body, extracting oxygen from inhaled air for distribution via the bloodstream to every cell in the body.
When the lungs become diseased, they are no longer able to maintain the necessary exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen.
Symptoms
- coughing, with or without mucus;
- chest pain;
- chest tightness;
- shortness of breath;
- fatigue;
- having trouble catching your breath;
- abnormal breathing pattern;
- wheezing;
- a very fast heartbeat.
Causes
Smoking
Don’t start smoking, or quit if you already do. Ask smokers to smoke outdoors. If you live or work with a smoker, avoid secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke is particularly bad for babies and young children.
In addition, smoking during childhood and teenage years can slow down the lungs’ development and growth.
Moreover, cigarette smoking is the nr.1 risk factor for lung cancer, and it is responsible for about 87% of lung cancer deaths.
Symptoms of lung cancer include:
- unexplained fever;
- a cough;
- weakness in the arms, shoulders, or hands;
- chest pain;
- swelling of the face and neck;
- hoarseness;
- shortness of breath;
- bloody or rust-colored sputum;
- recurring lung infections;
- wheezing.
Air Pollution
Many studies established that some air pollutants like car exhaust may contribute to COPD, asthma, lung cancer, and other lung diseases.
Also, over 5 million deaths were estimated to be related to ambient air pollution worldwide, according to the World Health Organization report in 2016.
Medications
Some individuals who have radiation therapy for breast or lung cancer show signs of lung damage months or occasionally years after the initial treatment.
Genetics
Genetics can play a role in an individual’s development of lung disease, even if the patient has never been exposed to strong lung irritants or has never smoked.
Indoor air pollution
We spend approximately 90 percent of our time indoors – at work, at home, at school, or when we go to restaurants or shops.
Poor indoor air quality has been strongly associated with lung diseases – like allergies and asthma, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Some of the indoor pollutants include:
- asbestos;
- volatile organic compounds;
- secondhand smoke;
- bacteria and viruses;
- residential wood burning;
- building and paint products;
- radon;
- carbon monoxide;
- pet dander;
- carpets;
- nitrogen dioxide;
- household chemicals;
- mold and dampness;
- cleaning supplies;
- lead;
- cockroaches;
- formaldehyde;
- floods and water damage;
- dust mites and dust.
Pleurisy
It is a condition in which the pleura is inflamed.
Pleura is a membrane consisting of a layer of tissue that surrounds the lungs and a tissue that lines the inner side of the chest cavity.
Causes
Causes of pleurisy may include:
- infections in the lungs;
- chest or lung tumors (it is estimated that malignant pleural effusion affects 150,000 people per year in the US);
- bacterial pneumonia;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- bronchitis;
- systemic lupus;
- tuberculosis;
- lymphoma;
- chest wounds;
- fungal or parasitic infections;
- rib fractures;
- mesothelioma;
- blunt trauma to the chest wall;
- lung cancer;
- heart surgery complications;
- sickle cell anemia;
- pulmonary emboli.
READ MORE: Hip Pain – Spiritual Meaning
Symptoms
The symptoms of pleurisy might include:
- a fever;
- a cough;
- shortness of breath;
- chest pain, which worsens when you cough, breathe, or sneeze.
Spiritual Causes of Lung Diseases
Onlyshaynestockphoto/Shutterstock
The lungs are linked to the way we express our thoughts, feel free to make choices, and live your life as you would like it to be. We constantly make a choice of how much life we take in through every breath we take.
Moreover, breathing problems are a reflection of an individual’s beliefs about their worthiness to receive the nourishment that gives life.
Due to the fact that our breath is also the only physical function that we have complete and conscious control over, when we start to breathe deeply and consciously, we nourish our body profoundly. Those who cannot breathe deeply cannot live fully.
The lungs make up a huge part of the Anahata chakra. When this chakra is blocked, you will face health issues such as high blood pressure, breathing difficulties, lung diseases, or breast cancer.
When our Anahata chakra is clear and balanced, we can experience compassion, love, acceptance, and fulfillment. Also, our respiratory and heart systems are healthy and strong, and we feel joyful and calm.
READ MORE: Large Intestine Disorders – Spiritual Meaning
Spiritual Causes of Pleurisy
Spiritual and emotional causes of pleurisy include – lack of enthusiasm for what you do; hostility; mixed feelings.
Prevention
Don’t Smoke
Serhiy Kobyakov/Shutterstock
The best (and simple) way to keep lung disease away is to not smoke.
Tobacco damages your lung’s capacity to fight off infection and smokers have been found to be at higher risk of getting pneumonia.
READ MORE: Tobacco Addiction & Alcoholism – Spiritual meaning
Diet
People with lung disease usually lack important nutrients such as – vitamins A, B3, C, and E, magnesium, calcium, potassium, selenium, and zinc.
This may contribute to poor lung function.
Therefore, eating lots of fruits, legumes, vegetables, and whole grains is recommended to get the nutrients you need. Some of the best foods for lung health include:
- apples;
- broccoli;
- cabbage;
- garlic;
- pears;
- pineapples;
- onions;
- plums;
- blueberries;
- blackberries;
- strawberries;
- red kidney beans;
- walnuts;
- lentils;
- almonds;
- tomatoes;
- ginger;
- hazelnuts;
- Brazil nuts;
- chili peppers;
- sunflower seeds;
- flax seeds;
- navy beans;
- pumpkin seeds;
- cauliflower;
- oranges;
- carrots;
- mangoes;
- papayas;
- turnips;
- Swiss chard;
- zucchini;
- oat bran;
- oatmeal;
- sesame seeds.
Environment
Keep your house clean, especially from mold or mildew.
Physical Exercise
Swimming, walking, or just leading a more active life will help keep your lungs healthy. Doing physical exercise means we are stretching our lungs.
When we are inactive and sedentary, the bottom section of our lungs is not being used.
Note – in order to stay healthy, it is recommended to do half an hour of moderate exercise 5 days per week.
Deep Breathing Exercises
Antonio Guillem/Shutterstuck
Like aerobic exercise strengthens your muscles and improves your heart function, deep breathing exercises can make your lungs substantially more efficient.
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, individuals with lung problems who practice deep breathing exercises experience greater improvements in exercise capacity than those who do not.
Some of the breathing exercises methods include:
- paced breathing – you pace your steps to your breathing
- blow as you go – breathe in before you make some type of physical effort; then breathe out while making the effort;
- pursed-lips breathing – in this method, you should try to breathe in through your nose and breathe out with your lips pursed in a similar way as if you are whistling;
- relaxed slow deep breathing – in this method, you should try to breathe in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth and nose.
READ MORE: Abdominal Pain – Spiritual Meaning
Healing Affirmations
”I have the capacity to take in the fullness of life.”
”I breathe deeply, and every breath energizes me.”
”I lovingly live life to the full.”
”I am able to metabolize, process, and release all emotions.”
”I am whole, healed, and healthy.”
READ THIS NEXT: Psoriasis – Spiritual Meaning
References https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/lung-disease/index.cfm http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/pulmonary/research-advanced-lung-diseases-col https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/lung_disease/
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
As a founder and chief author at InsightState.com, Bulgarea Candin helps readers on their spiritual journeys. His writings are designed to inspire creativity and personal growth, guiding readers on their journey to a more fulfilled and enlightened life.