THIS week is Breathe Easy Week, an annual event to raise the profile of as well as understanding about lung diseases. Although lung cancer is perhaps the most mentioned lung condition, there are numerous others including chronic obstructive airways disease (COPD), interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and mesothelioma. Indeed lung disease is not confined to the elderly or those who smoke. The most notable childhood lung disease is asthma.

The scale of the problem is immense. There are 10,000 new diagnoses of lung disease made every week, and sadly a death every five minutes.

Living with a chronic lung condition is similar to living with any other long term condition, such as heart failure or diabetes.

Sufferers often walk a tightrope, where a worsening of their illness can be caused by the slightest insult, for example a chest infection.

You aren’t able to do the things that peers of your age, who don’t have the condition, take for granted.

Low mood, anxiety, depression and the feeling of isolation often accompany a long term disease.

It is incorrect to say that lung disease is the fault of the individual; there are persons with COPD and lung cancer, who have never touched a cigarette.

Yet stopping smoking is the single most important step in the journey towards improved lung health. If this means using an e-cigarette; it has to be seen as the lesser of two evils.

Although your lungs age like any other part of the body, if looked after, they will serve you well for a lifetime. Breathing, or respiration, involves not only the lungs but also the muscles of the chest wall.

Regular aerobic exercise will strengthen these muscles as well as making the lungs more efficient at delivering oxygen to your blood.

The environment in which you live will influence your lung health greatly, yet it may be difficult to change this.

Practical tips include trying to avoid second hand cigarette smoke and not exercising in areas where there is a lot of vehicle smoke; eg jogging in built up areas.

Make sure you dust your house once a week and regularly open a window to ensure good ventilation.

Some scented candles have ingredients which irritate or even harm the lungs. Reed diffusers or essential oils may be a safer option. Mould can also upset your chest.

AVOIDING infection is important to good lung health. Catch colds in a tissue and wash your hands regularly. If you have a chronic disease, you should attend for the yearly flu and pneumonia vaccinations. Front line healthcare workers and carers will also benefit from the flu jab.

Finally be wary of the signs of potential lung disease. These include chronic cough, wheeze, and shortness of breath. Please do not ignore any of these.

All should prompt you to see your GP for a full assessment and any chest pain or coughing blood should have you making an urgent appointment, particularly for those who smoke.

For those with lung disease, the Breathe Easy Darlington support group is an excellent local place to seek help. It meets on the first Tuesday of the month from 1pm at the Copper Beech on Neasham Road in Darlington. For more information email breatheeasydarlington@hotmail.com