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"Lao Wang, why are you coughing again?" Sister Li asked with concern. "Alas, don't mention it. In the past few days, I have been sick again, and I always feel that my breathing is not smooth. Uncle Wang waved his hand, his tone full of helplessness.
"I see that your condition is getting worse and worse, it's time to go to the hospital for a proper check-up." Sister Li said with a frown. "I went and the doctor said I had mild emphysema." Uncle Wang sighed, "He also said that he wanted me to get rid of some bad habits." "
"Emphysema? That's not a small matter!" Sister Li exclaimed, "What did the doctor say?" Any suggestions?"
Uncle Wang was about to answer, when Zhang Xiaowei, a young man on the side, interjected: "Does emphysema have anything to do with lifestyle habits?" I remember my grandfather also suffered from this disease, but he usually lived a very regular life. "
Sister Li and Uncle Wang both turned their heads to look at Zhang Xiaowei, and a trace of doubt flashed in their eyes.
"Xiaowei, what you said is interesting." Uncle Wang smiled, "Why don't we go talk to Dr. Chen together?" He is an expert in respiratory medicine and has a lot of research in this area. "
The three of them made an appointment to go to the hospital together the next day. The next morning, they arrived at Dr. Chen's office as scheduled.
Dr. Tan is a middle-aged man in his 50s, wearing a pair of gold-rimmed glasses and looking elegant. He warmly received the three and asked them what they were coming from.
"Dr. Chen, we would like to ask about emphysema." Uncle Wang said straight to the point, "Especially the relationship between it and living habits." "
Dr. Chen nodded, revealing a meaningful smile: "That's a good question. In fact, emphysema is closely related to our daily habits, especially drinking water. "
Zhang Xiaowei asked in surprise: "Drinking habits?" Does emphysema have anything to do with drinking water?" That's right," says Dr Chan, "many people may not know it, but proper drinking is very important to prevent and alleviate emphysema symptoms." "
Sister Li asked eagerly, "Then how should I drink water?"
Dr Chan patiently explains, "First of all, we need to ensure adequate water intake every day. For adults, drink at least 1.5 to 2 liters of water per day. Adequate hydration can help thin the phlegm and make it easier to pass, thus reducing the burden on the respiratory tract. "
Uncle Wang nodded thoughtfully: "I see." I really don't drink much water, so it looks like I'm going to have to change it. "
"Secondly," Dr. Chan continued, "the timing and manner of drinking water is also important. It is recommended to drink a glass of warm water in the morning after waking up and before going to bed, which can help clear the airways and boost metabolism. "
Zhang Xiaowei asked curiously: "Will drinking cold water have any effect?"
Dr Chan explains, "Excessively cold water can irritate the airways and may cause coughing or worsen symptoms. Therefore, it is best for people with poor lungs to avoid drinking ice water, and it is more appropriate to choose warm water or room temperature water. "
The three of them nodded their heads again and again, feeling very curious about the information. "In addition to drinking water, are there any other lifestyle habits that need to be paid attention to?" Sister Li asked.
Dr. Chan gathered his thoughts and said, "In addition to drinking water, there are two other important habits that need special attention. The second is to maintain good air quality. "
Uncle Wang immediately thought of something: "Does it mean not to smoke and avoid second-hand smoke?"
"Yes, it's really important." Dr. Chen glanced at Uncle Wang approvingly, "But in addition to that, we also need to pay attention to indoor air quality." Opening windows frequently, using air purifiers, and avoiding exposure to irritating gases are all effective methods. "
Zhang Xiaowei said thoughtfully: "I understand. And what about the third habit?"
Dr. Chan laughs, "The third habit is moderate exercise. Many people may think that they should not exercise because they have bad lungs, but in fact, the opposite is true. "
Sister Li asked with some concern, "Won't exercise aggravate the symptoms?"
"Reasonable exercise not only does not worsen symptoms, but can strengthen lung function." "Aerobic exercises such as walking, jogging, and swimming can help improve lung function and increase cardiorespiratory endurance. Of course, the intensity of exercise should be gradual, not forced. "
Uncle Wang said thoughtfully: "It sounds like these habits seem simple, but they are very important for lung health."
Dr. Chan nodded, "That's right. Many people ignore these seemingly ordinary habits, only to end up with hidden dangers for their health. "
Zhang Xiaowei suddenly thought of something: "Dr. Chen, can you tell us about the specific symptoms of emphysema?" How do we detect it early?"
Dr. Chen glanced at Zhang Xiaowei with satisfaction: "That's a good question. The early symptoms of emphysema are often subtle and can be easily overlooked. The most common symptoms include chronic cough, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, etc. As the disease progresses, patients may experience symptoms such as weight loss and fatigue. "
Sister Li interjected: "Isn't that easy to confuse with a cold?"
"That's true," Dr. Chan said, "so we need to be more vigilant." If respiratory symptoms persist, especially if they don't improve for more than two weeks, you should seek medical attention. "
Uncle Wang couldn't help but ask, "Dr. Chen, can you tell us about the treatment of emphysema?" What's new?"
Dr. Chan said with a serious expression: "There is no cure for emphysema, but there are various ways we can manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life. Common treatments include medication, oxygen therapy, breathing training, etc. "
"In recent years, there have been some new developments in the treatment of emphysema." Dr Chan continued, "For example, bronchoscopic lung volume reduction surgery, which is a minimally invasive procedure that can help improve lung function in some patients. In addition, stem cell therapy is also in clinical trials, and although more research is needed, it shows some potential. "
The three of them listened attentively, feeling both novel and awe-inspiring about these cutting-edge medical knowledge.
"However," Dr Chan emphasises, "prevention is always more important than cure. The lifestyle habits we just discussed are the best way to prevent them. "
Zhang Xiaowei said thoughtfully: "After listening to Dr. Chen's explanation, it suddenly occurred to me that although my grandfather had a regular life, he did rarely drink water, and he lived in a city with serious air pollution all year round. These may be the reasons why he suffered from emphysema. "
Doctor Chen nodded approvingly: "Xiaowei, your observation is very accurate. Environmental factors and personal habits often interact with each other. Even in an unfavorable environment, good lifestyle habits can play a protective role to a certain extent. "
Dr. Chan was relieved, "I'm glad you have this kind of understanding. A healthy lifestyle can not only prevent emphysema, but also contribute greatly to overall health. I hope you can share the knowledge you have learned today with the people around you, so that more people can benefit. "
The three of them agreed and expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Chan.
Disclaimer: This article is for reference only, and the medical knowledge described is true and well-founded, but it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have any health problems, please consult a doctor or other
Bibliography:
1. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Group, Chinese Society of Respiratory Diseases. Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2021 revised edition). Chinese Journal of Tuberculosis and Respiration, 2021, 44(3): 170-205.
2. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (2021 Report).
3. Vogelmeier CF, et al. Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease 2017 Report. GOLD Executive Summary. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2017; 195(5):557-582.