Breathe in through your nose for a count of four. Hold your breath for a count of seven. Exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of eight.
If that exercise was easy for you, be thankful, because for many, each breath can be a challenge.
For nearly 16 million adults in the United States living with COPD, the act of breathing is not so simple. COPD is a lung condition characterized by damage to airways or other parts of the lung, blocking airflow and making breathing difficult.
COPD is a progressive disease and refers to two main conditions: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Emphysema results from damage to the air sacs and chronic bronchitis from repeated irritation and subsequent inflammation. Additional symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, fatigue, weight loss and frequent lung infections.
Chronic bronchitis is when the large airways in your lungs become inflamed. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing and severe coughing spells. All of this can lead to long-term trouble breathing.
Long-term exposure to tobacco smoke and air pollutants causes damage to the lungs. In the United States, cigarette smoking is the main culprit in the development of COPD.
The Great American Smokeout, hosted by the American Cancer Society (ACS), is one initiative aimed at addressing this health concern. Held on Nov. 21 this year, the event encourages Americans to quit smoking, with a secondary goal of promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Although cigarette smoking rates have declined significantly over the decades, 34 million American adults are still smokers. And perhaps even more alarming, 2.8 million adolescents use at least one form of tobacco.
While there are many reasons to quit smoking, including greater life expectancy and reduced risk of developing cancer, cardiovascular disease and more, let’s start with three benefits of quitting, some of which happen immediately.
Food tastes better and your sense of smell returns to normal almost immediately.
Between two weeks to months after quitting, lung function increases and circulation improves.
One year after quitting, people experience less coughing and easier breathing, while lung function increases.
The ACS has great resources for individuals contemplating quitting smoking. The first step is to decide you’ve had enough. Beyond that, here are four ways to assist a tobacco cessation program.
My coach is amazing. I quit smoking cigarettes in September and I credit her support through it as a large part of my success.
LES health coaching participant
Labcorp health coaching can assist your employees with their individual wellness goals and help them create healthy, sustainable habits. This includes providing them support with a smoking cessation program to help them quit smoking and lead healthier lives.
