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How Can You Protect Your Lungs and Prevent Lung Disease

Controlling and preventing lung disease needs everyone's attention. Learn to recognize the symptoms of lung disease, such as those described in this pamphlet. If you have any of these symptoms, get medical attention as soon as possible.

You, your family members and friends need to protect your lungs. Here's how:

  • Don't smoke. Quitting smoking is the best protection you can give your lungs and reduces your risk of lung disease.
  • Be honest. Understand that chronic cough, shortness of breath and other lung symptoms are not normal.
  • Take action. Bring any lung disease symptom to your doctor's attention early. Then follow the doctor's advice.
  • Avoid lung hazards. Secondhand cigarette smoke, air pollution, and lung hazards at work can cause some lung diseases.
  • Think about prevention. Lung diseases like influenza (flu) and pneumococcal pneumonia can be prevented with vaccination. Get immunized if you are in a high risk group, which includes people over 65 or anyone with a chronic health problem such as heart disease, lung disease and diabetes.

Remember - early detection of lung disease is the key to prompt and successful treatment.