Breathing easier

How many breaths does a healthy adult take per day?

1,000

13,000

20,000

1 million

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

If you were to unfold and flatten out the human lungs, the total surface area would be equivalent to:

Skateboard

Tennis court

School bus

The White House

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

True or False: Both of a person’s lungs are the same size.

True

False

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%.

True or false: The air we breath contains 100% oxygen?

True

False

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%.

True or False: Smokers can heal their lungs, to an extent, from the damage caused by cigarettes if they quit smoking?

True

False

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.

True of False: Asthma is the most common chronic condition among children?

True

False

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.

True or false: Sleep apnea, a condition that disrupts your breathing when you sleep, primary affects overweight men who snore?

True

False

Answer: False. While obesity is common among sleep apnea sufferers, the condition affects women, too. After menopause, women are just as likely to be affected by the condition as men.

The following is a symptom of sleep apnea:

Fatigue

Depression

Difficulty concentrating

All of the above

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.

True of false: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a progressive lung disease that interferes with normal breathing, is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S.?

True

False

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.

Which is NOT an early warning sign of COPD

Chronic cough

Shortness of breath

Blueness of the lips and fingernails

Headaches

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.

Breathing easier

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