Kettering College Recognizes World Lung Day
September 25, 2024 – The Forum of International Respiratory Societies recognizes September 25 as World Lung Day. They established this in 2016 to raise awareness of lung health, promote advocacy and action, and discuss how organizations can work together to eliminate lung disease.
Breathing is the foundation for life, but proper lung function might not be something we think about daily. It’s easy to take for granted the vital job our lungs automatically perform with every breath. We asked Respiratory Care instructors at Kettering College and a respiratory therapist at Kettering Health Main Campus to share some of their knowledge with us in honor of World Lung Day.
David Maxwell is the system executive director of Respiratory Services at Kettering Health. He explains the enormous responsibility of our respiratory system that occurs every second of our lives, affecting each cell and function in our bodies.
He says, “The respiratory system’s main job is to move fresh air into your body while removing waste gases…At each cell in your body, oxygen is exchanged for a waste gas called carbon dioxide. Your bloodstream then carries this back to the lungs where it is removed from the bloodstream and then exhaled.”
Hope Appelbaum is the department chair and associate professor in Kettering College’s Respiratory Care program. She adds that this elimination of carbon dioxide is essential to overall health. She says, “When the balance of this gas exchange is hindered, other essential body mechanisms are impaired.”
Tanya McCray is an assistant professor in the Respiratory Care department at Kettering College. She points out that when our lungs aren’t functioning optimally, everyday tasks become more difficult. She says, “Quite frankly, when you can’t breathe nothing else matters.”
The Role of a Respiratory Therapist
Registered respiratory therapists (RRT) are crucial in delivering care to patients who are struggling to breathe. RRTs gained more visibility during the COVID-19 pandemic as they worked on the frontlines to assist patients. They remain an essential part of healthcare, as proper lung function is necessary for everyone at every stage of life.
David Maxwell states, “Under the direction of a provider, they evaluate and treat illnesses by finding the correct balance of medication, therapies, advanced technology (such as ventilators), and lifestyle changes…RRTs work across various settings to monitor their patients’ progress and ensure proper ongoing care is being provided. With a diverse set of skills, RRTs act as a bridge between the patient and the provider allowing for an optimal care plan throughout the patient’s recovery process.”
Hope Appelbaum explains the mission of an RRT is “to help those with impaired lung function find ways to help improve the person’s activities of daily living.” Tanya McCray adds, “We provide care to those who have less than optimal lung function in and out of the hospital. We are present in home health, pulmonary rehab facilities as well as hospitals. We care for the entire life span from labor and delivery to end of life care.”
How to Maintain Proper Lung Function
The Respiratory Care instructors at Kettering College would like to offer these three tips to focus on prevention and maintaining proper lung function:
1-Do not smoke or vape. Lungs begin to heal themselves as soon as you stop. You can’t always repair all damage, but you can prevent further damage by quitting now.
2-Pause throughout the day and take slow, deep breaths. Not only do you get to reset your mind and focus, but you are opening up every little part of your lungs, making sure they are at their best for anything that comes your way.
3-Keep pet dander and household dust at a minimum to prevent allergy triggers that could hinder your breathing.
During this month of World Lung Day, we wish you easy breathing, and we thank all Respiratory Care educators and practitioners.
Are you considering a career as a respiratory therapist? Kettering College offers a 3-year Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care. Our recent graduates enjoyed a 100% job placement and board pass rate. Ready to join them and answer the call to becoming a respiratory therapist? Learn more here.
Print This Page