People often overlook lungs' significance, as they silently sustain the body to function properly. Even so, they warrant attention to safeguard well-being and vitality. But does the trending TikTok Lung Examination help people check their lungs? Also, how can diseases be prevented to maintain good lung health?
@d3ity_0f_cut3n3ss_1997 Lungs Examination! #lungs #lungsexercise #fyp #fypシ ♬ original sound - Deity Of Cuteness
Is the Viral Trend a Reliable Indicator of Lung Health?
In the realm of social media, trends can spread like wildfire, and the TikTok Lung Examination challenge is no exception. With an impressive 38.2 million views and 1.9 million likes, this challenge has garnered attention for its simplicity and apparent claim to assess lung health.
According to medical experts, the TikTok Lung Examination is far from a reliable or scientific method to gauge lung health. Christine Kingsley, a US Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) and the Health and Wellness Director of Lung Institute, told Science Times that holding one's breath from point A to point B, as demonstrated in the videos, lacks credibility as an accurate diagnostic tool.
In fact, this challenge can be hazardous, especially if executed incorrectly. Holding one's breath for an extended period can lead to the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the blood, triggering discomfort, pain in the lungs, and even unconsciousness.
Will Holding One's Breath Have Adverse Impacts?
As Kingsley said, holding one's breath improperly, especially following TikTok videos, can lead to carbon dioxide buildup, prompting reactions that compel breathing.
Short durations may feel relaxed, but over 30 seconds causes lung pain. Surpassing two minutes forces breath due to diaphragm contractions; and beyond three minutes, lightheadedness occurs from excessive carbon dioxide.
Furthermore, Cancer Care Parcel founder Dr. Shara Cohen explained to Science Times that participating in prolonged breath-holding trends, like the ones on TikTok, poses health risks, especially those with underlying respiratory conditions.
"Engaging in breath-holding challenges, particularly without the oversight of a knowledgeable professional, heightens the risk of experiencing disorienting effects, such as dizziness, a sensation of lightheadedness, and, in extreme cases, even loss of consciousness," Cohen said. Prioritizing personal well-being means refraining from activities endangering physical health.
READ ALSO: How Does Lung Immunity Work? Study Identifies Each Cell That Build Respiratory Immune Response
Proper Way of Checking for Lung Health
Cohen emphasized that there are more legitimate and safer way of checking lung health, like employing comprehensive assessments that consist of chest X-rays, lung function analyses, and meticulous lung function evaluations.
Moreover, Kingsley noted that these evaluations include spirometry for lung volume screening in conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung volume testing for comprehensive assessment of air volume post-normal breath.
Additional tests like the diffusing capacity test and exercise stress test examine oxygen intake and lung functionality under different scenarios, typically recommended for those with lung condition symptoms, exposure to lung-damaging substances, existing lung-related conditions, or scheduled lung surgeries.
How To Check and Keep the Lungs Healthy?
Cohen said that having no symptoms of any type of lung condition, such as coughing, wheezing, mucus production, chest pain, or shortness of breath, typically signifies healthy lungs.
Natural and steady breathing further suggests lung health. Nonetheless, undergoing annual checkups remains advisable to catch potential lung diseases in their early stages.
Both experts noted that not smoking is the best way to have healthy lungs. Based on statistics, smoking causes 75% of all COPD cases, as it releases chemicals that weaken the lungs' defense against infections, cause swelling of air tubes, and destroy air sacs that all lead to COPD.
Experts recommend doing breathing exercises to strengthen the diaphragm and increase effficiency of oxygen exchange. More so, physical activity is important not only to improve lung health but also the immune system to fight off infection.
RELATED ARTICLE: Regular Exercise During Pregnancy Helps Infants Develop Stronger Lungs, Prevents Asthma
Check out more news and information on Medicine and Health on Science Times.