For most people, breathing is often taken for granted. We don’t have to think about it, and our lungs automatically adjust to allow in the perfect amount of air with every breath we take. But for others, breathing is a labor-intensive chore and can cause pain. It can even be impossible for some without the assistance of a respirator machine or breathing tube. Our lungs are two organs that help execute one of the most necessary parts of our everyday lives, and every year we celebrate Healthy Lung Month in October to highlight issues that can affect lung health. There are many types of illnesses and diseases that can affect lung functionality, but here are four especially serious ones to familiarize you and your loved ones with this month.

Allergies

Allergies affect nearly one in every five Australians. These conditions can range from itchy eyes and sneezes around cats and dogs to full-blown anaphylaxis induced by tree nuts. However, many people forget that seasonal pollen allergies or an allergic reaction to mold can harm lungs. Known in the medical community as hypersensitivity pneumonitis, allergic reactions to dust, mold, pollen, or any other small particle can cause chronic inflammation of the lungs and bronchioles. This inflammation can become permanent and even lead to respiratory failure if not treated.

Asbestos

Asbestos is a term for six fibrous materials that are used as chemical additives because of their natural resistance to heat and fire. Asbestos was typically used in building materials and electrical equipment, and until the 1970s, it was found in many places. From a home’s insulation, to a Naval ship or ship yard, as well as school supplies and other consumer products all had dangerous levels of asbestos. The microscopic fibers were added as a reinforcing agent for paints, insulations, weather-proofing materials, baby powder, and even slow cookers, putting most people at risk for developing a cancer called mesothelioma. This disease will eventually manifest in the linings of the lungs, stomach or heart, and it is responsible for thousands of deaths worldwide each year. Due to the aggressive nature of the cancer, less than half of mesothelioma patients are alive one year after their diagnosis.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is the scientific term for an infection that happens when water, mucus or any other fluid is stuck in one’s lungs. This medical condition can range in severity from walking pneumonia, which has cold-like symptoms and only requires a few days of antibiotics and rest to cure, to what can be treated as a death sentence for those whose health is already compromised. It is especially serious for babies, the elderly, and those who are already battling another illness.

Lung Cancer

Perhaps the most well-known respiratory affliction, lung cancer affects approximately 1.8 million people worldwide yearly. There are three types of this illness: non-small cell lung cancer, which is responsible for more than 80 percent of all diagnoses, small cell lung cancer, and lung carcinoid tumor. These illnesses can come from firsthand or secondhand exposure to cigarette and cigar smoke, occupational hazards such as welding or firefighting, exposure to radon, and air pollution. Only five percent of all people diagnosed are alive 10 years after their diagnosis, and family history of the disease can also increase an individual’s risk of developing lung cancer. Currently, the best ways to prevent this disease is to protect yourself and your family from smoke exposure, air pollution, and toxins that may be in unfiltered drinking water.

As the calendar flips to October, take time to think about how you are treating your lungs and what environmental factors may be taking a toll on them. Healthy lungs are necessary for a long, active life and while advancements in medical treatment options can help, the best way to keep your lungs healthy is to make proactive choices.

Emily Walsh is the Community Outreach Director at the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. Her role is to connect the alliance in different relevant online communities in order to help raise awareness around the dangers that asbestos still poses today and to help prevent future outbreak of mesothelioma cancer. She is passionate about helping cancer patients discover holistic complementary therapies that address the wellbeing of the mind, body & spirit.