Ten Ways To Protect Yourself From Pneumonia

 Ten Ways To Protect Yourself From Pneumonia

Pneumonia, or the inflammation of the lungs, is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. It affects older adults and people with compromised immune systems more often than younger people, but it can also strike seemingly healthy people of all ages. Fortunately, there are plenty of steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting pneumonia or having worse symptoms if you do contract it. These ten tips will help keep you healthy and free from this life-threatening illness.

Get Your Flu Shot

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend getting a flu shot every year, since it’s one of few ways to protect yourself from pneumonia. If you’re a smoker, you should also ask your doctor about anti-smoking medications that can help lower your risk. Additionally, keeping good hygiene habits can reduce your risk as well—and what better time to start than now? Get clean regularly by showering and washing hands often (you may even want to consider disinfecting surfaces at home). If you spend time in public places like schools or libraries, using hand sanitizer before leaving can be an easy way to stop germs from spreading. When winter comes around again next year, maybe it won’t be so bad!

Stop Smoking

Smoking is one of the biggest factors in leading to pneumonia. It’s difficult to avoid smoke and tobacco when you’re in a confined space with others, like in a subway or plane. But if you’re determined to protect yourself from pneumonia and other diseases, it might be time to quit smoking. Do so as soon as possible; once you stop, you reduce your risk of getting lung cancer, asthma and other respiratory diseases. In fact, within five years of quitting smoking cigarettes, your chances of having heart disease drops by half. Of course, kicking an addiction isn't easy; it's a lot easier said than done.

Get Vaccinated for the Right Diseases

Get Vaccinated for the Right Diseases

We’re currently in an age of epidemic proportions when it comes to antibiotic-resistant diseases. That’s why you should do your part to protect yourself from pneumonia by getting vaccinated for pneumonia, as well as making sure that everyone around you is also up-to-date on their vaccines. Talk to your doctor about whether or not a pneumonia vaccine is right for you and get informed before you visit a healthcare professional. You could end up protecting yourself against a serious illness down the road. Remember, prevention is always better than treatment!

Stay Hydrated During Cold Season

Keeping your body hydrated is one of the best ways to avoid contracting an illness like pneumonia. If you’re dehydrated and don’t have enough fluids in your system, your immune system will be compromised. This makes it easier for bacteria to infiltrate and start an infection in your lungs and bronchial tubes. When you feel yourself coming down with a cold or flu, make sure to drink plenty of water—try adding extra lemon or lime slices if you need a boost of flavor. Keeping yourself hydrated can also help reduce coughing spells and chest congestion caused by pneumonia-like illnesses.

Wash Your Hands

Wash Your Hands

As one of those illnesses that’s transmitted by bacteria and other nasty bugs that are always lingering in public places (coughing, sneezing, touching things with your hands), pneumonia can be caused by even a small number of infections. The Centers for Disease Control recommends washing your hands often to protect yourself from germs and diseases. While you don’t want to go overboard about it, if you wash your hands regularly throughout the day—including after being outside or around sick people—you greatly reduce your risk of infection. It also helps to take advantage of hand sanitizer when you can't get access to soap and water.

Use a Humidifier in Winter Season

Humidifiers can lower your risk of pneumonia. They are especially helpful during cold and flu season, when you will be around more people than usual, so it is more likely that you will get sick. A humidifier uses steam to moisten dry air, helping reduce congestion and opening up your sinuses. It may even help loosen phlegm and clear mucus from your lungs before it becomes a serious issue or gets into your lungs where it can cause pneumonia. For good health, humidify in winter season!

Cover Your Mouth When You Cough or Sneeze

People often neglect to do so, but coughing and sneezing into your elbow is a great way to keep yourself from spreading germs. If that’s not an option, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using soap and warm water or a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Resist That Urge to Touch Your Face: No matter how fast you think you are at putting on masks, gloves or sleeves when they’re needed—when you’re sick—you're probably not. Hand hygiene is key. Wash Your Hands Regularly: When it comes to protecting yourself from becoming sick, washing your hands regularly is key.

Stay Active Despite an Illness

When you’re feeling ill and your body is busy trying to fight off an infection, working out is probably not high on your list of things to do. However, exercise can actually make a big difference in how quickly you recover—and it can even help prevent future infections. Exercising while sick might not seem like a good idea at first glance but giving yourself a boost of regular activity (even if it's just a light workout) can really help put you back on track. By moving around, getting fresh air and releasing endorphins—your body’s natural painkillers—you’ll be taking care of both your mind and body.

Maintain a Healthy Weight and Diet Routine

Not only is maintaining a healthy weight good for you, it can also lower your risk of getting pneumonia. The heavier you are, the more difficult it is for your lungs to cough out harmful substances in your body. Additionally, if you maintain a healthy diet, you'll have an easier time fighting off bacteria and viruses. Keep junk food out of sight and try to stick to healthier options; even replacing sugary drinks with water can help make a difference over time.

Eat Plenty of Vitamin-Rich Fruits and Vegetables

It might seem obvious, but eating a balanced diet filled with fruits and vegetables is an important way to protect yourself from pneumonia. Fruits and veggies help keep your immune system strong, so it’s able to fight off bacteria that lead to pneumonia. This also gives you energy for when you’re sick. By eating a rainbow of foods—particularly ones that are rich in vitamins A, C, E and K—you can boost your immunity while keeping your lungs clean.