Breathing easier

Answer: C. The average person takes about 20,000 breaths a day, which breaks down to 15-20 breaths a minute.

Answer: B. The lungs of an average person measure between 540 - 810 square feet, which is roughly the size of a tennis court.

Answer: False. Oxygen actually plays a small part in breathing. The air we breath contains about 21% oxygen, and the air that is exhaled is about 15% oxygen. So our body is only using 5%.

Answer: True. Some of the short-term inflammatory damage to the lungs can be reversed when a person quits smoking.  And new cilia can grow, which help to clear out mucus secretions. Former smokes also report less shortness of breath when they exercise. Another benefit is reduced risk of lung cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control, ten years after quitting smoking, a former smoker's odds of getting lung cancer are about half that of a smoker.

Answer: True. Asthma, which is a chronic inflammation of the lung airways that causes coughing, chest tightness, wheezing, and shortness of breath, currently affects as estimated 6.1 million children under the age of 18. It is also one of the leading causes of school absenteeism.

Answer: D. Because the symptoms of sleep apnea are so broad, the condition is often overlooked. Additional symptoms include a dry mouth and sore throat.

Answer: False. The disease is actually the 3rd leading cause of death among Americans. More than 11 million people have been diagnosed with COPD, which can cause long-term disability and early death, and millions more may have the disease and not even know it.

Answer: D. Many people don’t recognize the symptoms of COPD until later stages. Many times they blame shortness of breath on “getting older.” If you think you may be at risk for COPD, it’s important to discuss this with your doctor.