Tips to Support Your Lungs from Wildfire Smoke

For many of us in Oregon, smoke inhalation has been unavoidable during the last few years. Even if we do all the right things (stay indoors, run HEPA air filters, etc.), breathing in foreign particles is inevitable.

Smoke exposure can lead to uncomfortable symptoms like:

  • Irritated sinuses
  • Itchy/burning eyes
  • Runny nose
  • Shortness of breath
  • Headaches
  • Sore throat
  • Cough
  • Fatigue
  • Chest pain
  • Dizziness
  • Confusion

Exposure can also trigger asthma attacks, COPD exacerbations, and make the overall immune system more vulnerable to other viruses, including COVID-19.

Detoxing after (and during) smoke exposure is essential to your short-term and long-term health. Here are 10 easy tips to help support your health and protect your lungs from damage:

1. Drink water

You’ve heard it before, but we’ll remind you again – drink water! Water helps flush those gross particles you’ve been breathing in from your system. In general, a good daily target is about ten glasses of water. However, if you’re detoxing, try to increase this intake to 12 or 14 glasses.

2. Drink hot liquids

Cilia are fine, hair-like filaments that cover the lining of the respiratory tract. When operating correctly, they move particles throughout the body. When there is a decrease in air quality, it can cause the cilia to stop moving. Hot liquids can encourage them to start moving again and remove high levels of contaminants found in mucous and saliva.

Hot teas such as green tea, licorice, and throat coat – especially with slippery elm, marshmallow root, ginger, turmeric, or peppermint – help the respiratory tract.

3. Use saline nasal spray

Saline nasal spray can help moisten and soothe the inside of your nose. This can promote the removal of foreign matter and provide immediate relief.

4. Rinse sinuses with a Neti Pot

A Neti Pot is like nasal spray on steroids – providing a thorough, natural nasal rinse to help remove foreign substances. When you’re exposed to smoke, pollutants can get trapped in your nasal passage. If allowed to remain, they can easily travel to the lungs and cause additional issues.

5. Breathe in steam with thyme

Thyme has a wide variety of benefits including anti-microbial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal. Breathing in steam with thyme can help expel foreign substances, clear passageways, and reduce irritation in your sinuses. The simplest way to create this steam is:

  1. Add 2 tbsp of thyme* to boiling water in a large bowl
  2. Lower your head so it’s inches from the hot water
  3. Cover your head and bowl with a large towel, trapping steam under the towel
  4. Breathe deeply for 1 – 3 minutes
  5. Repeat as needed

*You can also substitute 3-5 drops of thyme essential oil or other oils like eucalyptus, rosemary, and tea tree to provide relief.

6. Receive IV therapy

IV therapy provides a big boost of key nutrients that your body needs for peak performance. Our Immunity IV helps your body naturally cleanse unwanted foreign bodies, enhance your immune system, and fight respiratory infections. Call us today to book your appointment.

Short on time? We also offer the Super Immune as a nutrient injection. Walk-ins welcome. No appointment is needed.

7. Stock up on nutrient-dense foods

Whenever your body is under stress it requires extra vitamins and minerals. High-quality, nutrient-dense, whole foods provide a blend of natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties to detox. Stock up on flavonoid-rich foods like strawberries, green tea, black tea, brussels sprouts, beans, onions, and apples.

Ginger is also an amazing natural detoxifier that contains chemical compounds that support lung function. Add extra ginger to your next stir-fry, dressing, or marinade for extra protection.

8. Up your Vitamin C

Smoke causes oxidative damage and Vitamin C is one of the best nutrients to help offset inflammation in the body. Add more foods rich in Vitamin C to your diet or take a high-quality supplement like the OnePeak Medical Vitamin C Powder. This powder has no fillers or additives and contains 4,000 mg per scoop.

Looking for an even bigger boost? We offer several nutrient IVs and injections that include Vitamin C to help you get back on track quickly and effectively.

9. Up your Glutathione levels

Glutathione is the body’s most powerful natural antioxidant and is found in every cell in the body. Our Glutathione storage decreases as we age and are exposed to drugs, environmental toxins, smoke, and poor diets. Glutathione protects your cellular DNA, supports the liver in detoxifying toxins found in smoke, and helps to prevent liver damage from smoke inhalation. Our Liver Lover injection or Glutathione IV maximize the antioxidant effects, but Glutathione can also be taken in supplement form.

10. Get plenty of rest

Sleep and rest help support good immune function, healthy adrenal responses, and all of your body’s processes. You’ll feel better and be able to cope with life’s daily stressors too.

Bonus Tip: Get Support

From IV Therapy to one-on-one nutrition advice tailored to your individual needs, we are here to help you detox and restore your health. Call or visit any of our OnePeak Medical clinics for more information.

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