Interstitial lung disease is a condition where the lung tissues are scarred thus making it difficult to breathe and get enough supply of oxygen to your blood vessels. It is a condition caused by getting yourself exposed to harmful materials and being influenced with some types of ailments. Once you are invaded with this disease, it might be difficult to recover and regain full health. The symptoms for the illness are dry cough, weight loss, fatigue, discomfort in breathing and chest. Lung transplantation is recommended for people with severe interstitial lung problems. But if you follow proper medication and try to cope up with the situation, you are sure to be relieved to a great extent. Here are few tips.
Quit smoking and drinking alcohol
Evade alcohol. Drinking alcohol spoils your health. It suppresses your respiratory tract functioning and might lead to other diseases like improper liver functioning and heart ailments. Smoking is hazardous to your health and will harm your respiratory tract and obstructs your breathing. Therefore, the first and the foremost thing you need to do is to quit smoking and drinking alcohol and if you still have problem in doing so, take experts advice as they are aware of the techniques in helping you. If any of your friends or family members smoke around you, maintain distance as passive smokers are more likely to be affected.
Food habits
Intake of food plays a key role in the treatment of this disease. Following a diet rich in antioxidants, nutrients and vitamins help you to gain calories required for effective breathing. The ideal foods include lean meats and poultry, salmon, whole grains like whole wheat and oats, fruits like apple, papaya, avocadoes, berries of all types, oranges are all helpful. Vegetables like tomatoes, onion, cauliflower, lettuce, amaranthus, spinach, and spices like turmeric, cloves, garlic and ginger are also good. Eat properly, and take some multivitamins under medical supervision, to improve your resistance. Be careful in selecting your foods as you might be allergic to some foods. Proper intake of food is essential for the people suffering from interstitial lung diseases.
Keep a record of your weight
Persons with interstitial lung disease need to use more energy while breathing. As such they eat very less as it becomes difficult for them to eat. They lose weight very quickly. To overcome this situation, they need to consume a balanced diet with lots of calories. Their diet should include more of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, meat and fish. Refrain from consuming fatty foods with more oils. You can gain enough nourishment if at all you eat at correct times, divide the food into small portions. Try to consume more of salads, soups and water. If you are obese, try to lose weight as it will pave way for many health problems like diabetes, heart ailments and you will also find it difficult to breathe properly.
Medication
Do not stop using medicines and if you have any sudden health problem, see the doctor immediately. Don’t try to use medicines on your own, even for common problems like cold or fever. It might take some time for the medicines to work on your system. Don’t give up hope and refrain from medication. If you don’t notice any change with your health problems, consult the specialist and find out if the medicines you have been prescribed for, are working on you. People with interstitial lung diseases will have sleep problems which include snoring, headaches and feeling tired most of the time. People with sleep disorders should go for airway therapy under medical supervision. This will ease them from congestion and assist them to sleep well.
Be healthy
Persons with interstitial lung disease find it difficult to overcome common viral infections, which might lead to serious health conditions like pneumonia. Evade parties and functions where huge crowds gather. Get yourself vaccinated regularly. Avoid eating foods that will aggravate the disease. Try to consume a glass of hot milk, before going to bed with little turmeric or black pepper powder added to it. Excess mucus might hinder your breathing. For proper breathing, bathing with warm water by adding eucalyptus oil will help you a lot. You can even try some home remedies like adding herbal oils to hot water and inhaling the vapor which might reduce clogging. Transform your lifestyle and be healthy.
Evade pollution
Persons with interstitial diseases should avoid pollutant air. Exposure to irritants like metal or mineral dusts, pollen, contact with pet animals and birds might aggravate the problem further. Exposing yourself to irritants at work place might also intensify the problem. Air filters or air conditioners might be helpful to purify the surroundings to some extent. Take care to cover your nose and mouth thoroughly, if at all you happen to get exposed to pollution. Even smoke and strong odors might make you sick. Hence, people with such problems should take care while cooking food and should use chimneys or exhaust fans to avoid strong smells and smoke.
Exercise regularly
People with interstitial lung disease try to avoid exercises due to the problems associated while breathing. But medical experts feel that regular exercise would fortify your muscular system and make them to work effectively. Regular exercise will help you to intake and use oxygen effectively thus intensifying your heights of energy. Try to exercise for at least half an hour daily. Doctors even suggest to go for pulmonary treatment as they would help you a lot while breathing. Aerobic exercises, breathing exercises are proven factors that would aid you to improve respiratory system and cure asthma. But consult your doctor before going for any exercises, to know if they are suitable for your health conditions.
