The lung is the main respiratory organ. In adult individuals, in 24 hours, the lungs are crossed by 10,000 liters of air and 800 liters of blood.

The lung consists of the bronchial tree and pulmonary lobes. The bronchial tree may have pathological dilations (dilations caused by diseases) in which secretions can be collected.

The pulmonary lobe represents the morphological and functional unit of the lung at the level of which the gas exchange is achieved (the elimination of carbon dioxide from the systemic venous blood that reaches the lung and its improvement with oxygen).

The pulmonary lobe consists of respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts and pulmonary alveoli, to which blood vessels, lymphatic vessels and nerve fibers are added.

The right lung has three pulmonary lobes (upper, middle and lower lobe), and the left lung has two lobes (upper and lower).

The lungs are covered by two leaflets, called pleura, one is glued to the lung (visceral pleura) and the other to the internal wall of the thoracic cavity (parietal pleura).

Between the pleura there is a very thin cavity, in which there is a film of liquid.

Smoking is the main cause of lung diseases, such as cancer and chronic pulmonary obstruction, so it is never too late to quit smoking to prevent these conditions. Also, passive smoking should be avoided, due to the chemicals eliminated by burning tobacco during smoking. Passive smoking can have the same effects as normal smoking. To avoid passive smoking, smoking should not be allowed in the house or in the car. Protecting children from exposure to passive smoking is extremely important.

Regular hand washing with soap and water is important.

Statistics show that 80% of cases of respiratory infections (flu or cold) are transmitted through dirty hands.

It is necessary to teach children the correct technique of washing their hands.

They can catch mold, excrement from cockroaches, dust mites and toxic gases, all these affect the lungs by inhaling them when vacuuming the carpet, sitting or walking on it. The chemicals used to manufacture the carpet could also cause problems.

The lack of carpets can be a solution and if you cannot do without, carpets that can be shaken outside the house are recommended. The rest of the carpets are vacuumed three times a week and steamed every year.

It is a type of fungus that disperses small particles called spores in the air.

People who suffer from mold allergies can develop serious lung infections if they are exposed to mold spores or a lung condition such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). People sensitive to mold should avoid areas where there is compost (the result of the microbial process by which the trimmed grass, the leaves and the leftovers from the kitchen are transformed into organic fertilizer), as well as the lawns with piles of cut grass.

People exposed to flour for a long time, such as bakers, have a wheezing and sometimes difficulty in breathing, a condition known as baker's asthma.

Exposure over long periods of time aggravates asthma and leads to damage to the lungs. Unfortunately, family members of bakers can also be affected, most likely due to the flour worn at home on clothes, skin and hair.

In areas with many birds in the air there may be particles formed by feathers and excrement that can be inhaled by people who have stood around them, which can lead to inflammation of the lungs and even the formation of scar tissue in the area of inflammation.

This condition called hypersensitivity pneumonia, is also known as "the lung of the bird lover" or "pigeon breeder's disease".

Air conditioning has become practically indispensable on very hot days and humidifiers help breathing by humidifying the air. Although both types of devices seem harmless when used correctly, they can still affect breathing due to fungi that grow inside them and are "blown in the air" and inspired into the body. The lungs may develop an allergy to such fungi and become inflamed.

Inside the air conditioning, bacteria such as mycoplasma pneumoniae can also grow, which can cause atypical bacterial pneumonia.

To avoid such problems, air conditioners and air humidification devices must be periodically cleaned.

Hobs, ovens, boilers, stoves that use gas can cause lung problems if they are not well checked. As the gas burns, a chemical called nitrous oxide is eliminated, which can inflame the lungs, make breathing difficult and even trigger asthma.

The same chemical is eliminated when burning wood, oil, coal or kerosene.

Thus, it is important that all devices that use gas, wood, coal, kerosene and oil, but also their related installations, are periodically checked and cleaned (their revision is made), paying extra attention to the elimination of waste gases.

When we go to the jacuzzi or heated pools, the bacteria that develop in them can enter the lungs by breathing the vapors created by the hot water. Thus, the lungs can become inflamed manifesting themselves with cough, breathing problems and even fever.

The same thing can happen in the case of our own baths if they are not cleaned and especially dried properly. The fungus loves wetlands, so bathrooms should be kept dry, either by opening the window after showering or with the help of a fan. Wet towels are also not to be kept in the bathroom, but put outside to dry.

Most candles are made from petroleum-based paraffin and by burning they release chemicals into the air that can increase the risk of allergic reactions and breathing problems, such as asthma. The occasional use of candles is fine but not every day and in the long run. Safer options are candles made of beeswax or soybeans and also a good air flow must be ensured whenever we burn something, including candles.