The importance of lung health and how to improve it

What is lung health?

Our bodies need oxygen to survive and function efficiently. Everything from digesting food to solving a crossword puzzle requires a certain amount of oxygen.

The air we breathe in contains oxygen and other gases, along with potential pollutants and irritants. Our lungs are designed to extract the right amount of oxygen, filter out pollutants and expel carbon dioxide, the waste gas produced by our cells.

Statistics

1 in 3

Almost 1 in 3 Australians has a lung disease

10%

Lung disease accounts for 10% of the total health burden in Australia

29%

Occupational exposure contributes to 29% of lung cancers in men

2,500,000

About 2.5 million Australians have asthma, around 11% of the population

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“Through multiple Extras benefits, high-quality rebates at all times, to very serious heart problems, followed by long-term lung problems, you've been there for us through thick and thin. I've needed coaching care for lung conditions, twice for six-month spans, with high-quality phone training monthly by a specialist nurse. Her encouragement was invaluable, lifesaving actually.

“Now, after major surgery, CBHS is still there for me with rehab. All these at no, or marginal cost to ourselves. Do you wonder why we sing CBHS praise to all we meet? Thanks guys!”

Mari

Lung health programs and support

Health care aids for help with asthma

Health care aids such as nebulizers are an important asthma management tool. If these health care aids are acknowledged as essential and supplied on referral by a recognised provider, you can claim benefits for them under Extras or Package cover.

Check your policy for details or view CBHS Package and Extras cover.

Support at home for chronic respiratory diseases

The CBHS Better Living program can help you deal with the challenges associated with chronic respiratory diseases. You receive on-going support and one-on-one coaching from a team of health professionals, including dietitians, physiotherapists, exercise physiologists and mental health clinicians. There are no out-of-pocket expenses if you hold an appropriate level of CBHS Hospital cover or package product.

Read more about our Better Living program.

Hospital care at home

You can get hospital grade care in the comfort of your own home with our Hospital Substitute Treatment programs (HST). Acute mental health conditions can be complex and sometimes require hospitalisation, but you may be able to avoid that through our HST program. As well as mental health support from specialist nurses, you may be able to get help with personal care and home support so you can concentrate on getting well.

Read more about our Hospital Substitute Treatment program.

_Sources:

_{https://www.blf.org.uk/}
_{https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2019/09/07/what-we-know-about-mysterious-vaping-linked-illnesses-deaths/}
_{https://www.sciencealert.com/vaping-injury-caused-this-young-athlete-to-need-a-double-lung-transplant}
_{https://lungfoundation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Infographic-Lung-cancer-Oct2018.pdf}
_{https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-respiratory-conditions/chronic-respiratory-diseases-australia/contents/summary}
_{http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/asthma.pdf}
_{https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/copd/what-is-copd}

_{All information contained in this article is intended for general information purposes only. The information provided should not be relied upon as medical advice and does not supersede or replace a consultation with a suitably qualified health care professional.}

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