Warm liquids, such as tea and broth, are especially helpful for loosening phlegm in your lungs and helping you to expel secretions. This will help to reduce your chances of developing a chronic lung infection. [2] X Research source Other good sources of fluids include sports drinks and fruit juices, however they do include a lot of sugar, so keep that in mind.

If you cannot rest completely during your illness, at least try to get a full night’s sleep every night. Staying home from school or work can be hard but remember that if you have a lung infection it could be contagious and you could be getting other people sick. You may find it uncomfortable to be flat on your back when you have a lung infection, so use pillows to help prop yourself up.

Another way to get steam into your lungs is to place your face over a bowl of hot water and then place a towel over the back of your head, covering your head and the bowl. Sit like this for several minutes, breathing in the steamy air. Keep a humidifier in your bedroom so that you can keep it running overnight. Clean your humidifier regularly to prevent mold from growing inside of it.

Breathing exercises can both increase the amount of oxygen your lungs can take in and the amount of carbon dioxide they expel. Pay attention to the quality of your breathing at you do these exercises. Labored or difficult breathing is usually a sign that you should see a doctor, as it could signal that you have pneumonia. Diaphragmatic or “belly breathing” will help to bring oxygen into the lower parts of your lungs. [6] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School’s Educational Site for the Public Go to source

When you take expectorant medications, it’s best to not take cough suppression medications at the same time, since the goal is to cough up the fluid in your chest. If you are concerned about possible drug interactions with prescription medications you are taking, talk to your doctor about the over-the-counter medications that you are considering taking.

Vitamin C Vitamin D (for healing infections) Glutathione L-glutamine, which may help to heal the lining of your gut Natural remedies to ease any throat discomfort due to coughing. For example, fill a mug with warm water and stir in 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and a small piece of ginger. Drink it while it is still warm.

In addition to discussing your illness, your doctor will do a preliminary examination. This exam should include them listening to your breathing with a stethoscope. [12] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source

Your doctor may also check how much oxygen is in your bloodstream by doing a pulse oximetry test. If your condition is serious enough to have you hospitalized, the medical staff may do a bronchoscopy, which is a procedure that looks into your lungs.

Talk to your doctor about any other medications you are taking to ensure that there will not be any drug interactions. Follow your doctor’s instructions for dosing. Take the medication for as long as prescribed, even if you feel like the infection has cleared up. In some cases, if you stop your medication too early, the infection will not be cured and it can come back even stronger.

A pulmonologist is a doctor that specializes in disease of the lungs. [16] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source

There are a wide variety of thing you can use to help ease your cravings while quitting smoking. These include nicotine patches and gum, as well as prescription medications. Smoking will decrease your body’s ability to fight off any infections in the lungs. It is also known to cause infections, such as COPD.

If you suspect that you are breathing in allergens in your home, consider getting an air purifying filter to help you breathe cleaner air. You may also want to get an air purifier to help keep the air in your home clean. Be sure to change the filter on the air purifier regularly to maintain its effectiveness.

A healthy diet doesn’t mean that you can’t have any sugar or fat. It just means that you need to eat a balanced diet that contains mostly fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.

If you have chronic or debilitating lung health problems, talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program. [21] X Trustworthy Source American Lung Association Nonprofit health organization dedicated to improving lung health through education, advocacy, and research Go to source