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lung condition, to take precautions to protect our lungs. It’s easy to take good lung health for granted, until you have a problem with your breathing. So how do we take care of our lungs? Y
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126 The Australian Women’s Weekly | FEBRUARY 2020
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his summer started with catastrophic bushfires in many parts of Australia. I know in my general practice, we were seeing an unusually high number of people suffering from irritated eyes, blocked noses, coughing and trouble breathing due to weeks of choking smoke. This was reflected in hospital admissions too, with NSW Heath reporting increases in hospital presentations for asthma and breathing problems during the bushfire emergency, and almost double the usual number in the worst-affected areas. This prompted a reminder for all of us, especially those with a pre-existing
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From asthma to bronchitis, almost one in three Australians lives with a lung disease. So how can you protect your lungs, especially in bushfire and storm season? What can you do to make them stronger and healthier?
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Love your lungs Bushfires
Even for those with healthy lungs, bushfire smoke can be a challenge. If you can, stay inside with air conditioning switched onto recycle. Avoid exercising outdoors and see your GP if you’re coughing consistently or have trouble breathing. If you have asthma, you will hopefully be familiar with your Asthma Action Plan. If you are on a preventer, make sure you are taking it regularly, and
