How to keep your lungs healthy for life?
Many people are tired of hearing this, but it’s still true: the most important factor in having healthy lungs is not smoking. However, data from the Cancer Foundation shows that almost a third of the Luxembourg population smokes, especially among young people. Despite efforts to combat tobacco consumption, the number of smokers continues to be high, particularly due to the low price of tobacco. In international comparisons, looking at the Tobacco Control Scale, Luxembourg ranks last in terms of tobacco prices, along with Russia. This is very frustrating. In my practice and clinic, I see an alarming increase in lung cancer cases. That worries me a lot. We used to have one or two new patients a month, now we have one or two a week. Unfortunately, there are no official case numbers for this type of cancer, as the registry has not been updated since 2013. When lung cancer metastasizes and spreads to other organs, a cure is practically impossible. Most people affected die within five years. Therefore, it is recommended that high-risk patients, i.e. heavy smokers, undergo an annual examination. If lung cancer is detected early, the chances of recovery are significantly greater.
Pulmonologist Frantz in the lung examination room at Zithaklinik: lung cancer is curable if detected early.
The lungs are an underrated organ that is rarely discussed in public. One of the reasons for this may be that the “lung lobby” is not particularly large, because there are relatively few pulmonologists worldwide. However, the organ is the most important interface between the body and the environment. The exchange that takes place here is enormous. We breathe in and out 30 to 40 liters of air through our lungs every minute. However, this also means that viruses, bacteria and fine dust are absorbed directly through the lungs.
Should smoking be banned on the terraces of cafes and restaurants and around schools?
We have been seeing an increase in asthma cases for years. Studies have now shown that these respiratory problems can be triggered by air pollution from motor traffic and pollutants such as particulates and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Passive inhalation of cigarette smoke can also increase the risk of asthma, especially in children. My hair stands on end whenever I see parents smoking next to their children. This source of danger is absolutely avoidable.
A total tobacco ban is not the right path. But protection for non-smokers must be strengthened. In my opinion, smoking should be banned on the terraces of cafes and restaurants and around schools. Initiatives such as “Génération sans tabac” and “Commune sans tabac” point the way forward.
In addition to quitting smoking, preventing infections, particularly through immunization, is very important. Last winter, we recorded an extremely high number of pneumonia cases. The causes are still not entirely clear. Perhaps Covid-19 has made us more susceptible. In any case, pneumonia is not a small thing, the organ is damaged. Most patients recover, but some do not. This also happened with the coronavirus: Severe Covid-19 disease can be accompanied by chronic fibrosis, that is, severe scarring in the lung tissue. It’s not possible to get rid of it.
Powerful breathing machine: lungs distribute oxygen throughout the body.
Another factor that can have a positive influence on lung health is exercise. In some people, the entire cardiopulmonary system, that is, the interaction between the heart and lungs, stops working properly. One of the reasons for this is the fact that they don’t move enough. Furthermore, many of us spend the day sitting at home. However, the lungs need fresh air as often as possible.
Even if tobacco consumption and the number of lung cancer cases were to decrease drastically one day, we pulmonologists would not be out of work. Infectious diseases, which typically settle in the lungs, continue to be a major problem. Even though many have returned to normal activity after coronavirus: I still advise anyone who has a cold to wear a face mask. After all, we are a herd people. And if we make the herd sick, we suffer ourselves.
