Is Your Lung Health on Track?

With World Lung Cancer Day observed on 1 August, it’s a good time to reflect on ways to support lung health. In Singapore, many people live with allergies or asthma, about 3.9% of adults have been diagnosed with asthma². Maintaining a healthy weight, eating well, and staying active also help keep your lungs strong. Regular cardio exercise, such as brisk walking or cycling, can significantly improve lung capacity³.

1. Breathe easily throughout the day: If you can do daily activities without gasping for air, your lungs are probably in good shape¹. Keeping fit with cardio exercise strengthens your lungs³. Also avoid smoking, which can harm your lung tissue¹. Annual health checks (including a lung function test if you have risk factors) can catch problems early, even before symptoms appear.
2. Watch for warning signs: Notice any new or persistent cough, wheeze or breathlessness. Early symptoms of lung issues can include coughing up phlegm, chest tightness, or feeling more winded than usual during light activities¹. Paying attention to these changes helps you take timely steps to maintain healthy lungs.
3. Manage allergies: Allergies can sometimes affect lung comfort, particularly in people with asthma. In Singapore, about one in four people have allergic rhinitis (hay fever), and many of these also have asthma². Breathing in allergens (pollen, dust mites, pet dander) causes airway inflammation and tightening (bronchospasm)¹. That means wheezing and coughing more often. Identifying and minimising triggers can support better breathing and overall lung health.
4. Avoid smoking: In Singapore, vaping is illegal and e-cigarettes are not allowed. Smoking harms lung cells and can contribute to conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma⁴. Avoiding smoking is one of the simplest ways to protect your lungs.

Lung health depends on small, everyday habits. Staying active, managing triggers, and monitoring your breathing are effective ways to keep your lungs healthy and early action combined with healthy lifestyle choices goes a long way toward keeping your lungs on track.

1. ColumbiaDoctors. (2023). How to know your lungs are healthy | ColumbiaDoctors - New York. [online] Available at: https://www.columbiadoctors.org/news/how-know-your-lungs-are-healthy.
2. Farrerpark.com. (2024). Farrer Health. [online] Available at: https://www.farrerpark.com/farrerhealth/health/detail.html?id=138.
3. Zhu, Q., Zhu, J., Wang, X. and Xu, Q. (2022). A Meta Analysis of Physical Exercise on Improving Lung Function and Quality of Life Among Asthma Patients. Journal of Asthma and Allergy, 15, pp.939–955. doi:https://doi.org/10.2147/jaa.s369811.
4. American Lung Association. (2023). The Impact of E-Cigarettes on the Lung. [online] Available at: https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/e-cigarettes-vaping/impact-of-e-cigarettes-on-lung.