Avoid Bad Air

When air pollution and pollen counts are high, stay inside. An air-filtering machine can improve the indoor air quality.

Avoid breathing pollutants that can trigger shortness of breath. This includes traffic fumes, smog, aerosol sprays, and chemical vapors (from products such as paint, kerosene, and cleaning agents).

In cold weather, breathe through your nose. Cover your mouth and nose with a scarf.

Productive Cough

People with chronic lung diseases are more at risk for respiratory infections because their lungs are already damaged. One of the most important preventive measures is a "productive" cough. This is a cough that is moist and brings up mucus from the lungs and air passageways. This helps clear the air passages.

An "unproductive" cough reduces airflow and causes respiratory muscle fatigue. If mucus and other foreign bodies remain in the respiratory tract, they can pool in the airways. This makes it difficult to expel bacteria and increases the risk of infection.

Very dry air increases shortness of breath and thickens the mucus in your lungs. Your doctor may recommend a humidifier, breathing therapies, and chest percussion (pounding or clapping the chest to loosen secretions). These steps loosen and thin out bronchial secretions, allowing them to be expelled by the cough.

Avoiding Smoke

Stay away from smoke and smokers.

If you smoke, now is a good time to quit. Smoking can increase the rate at which a disease gets worse. It can also increase the risk of lung cancer. Even if you have been smoking for years—or you already have lung disease—quitting smoking now will greatly improve your health. Your blood vessels will relax, allowing the blood to flow normally; your heart will not have to work as hard. Your lung tissue will become healthier and you will breathe easier.

If you smoke, a structured stop-smoking program may help you kick the habit. The use of a nicotine patch or antidepressant, along with counseling, may also be helpful.