There are many ways that a physician can tell if your lungs are working properly or not:

First: Physical examination with a stethoscope, that simple examination can tell the doctor if there is any abnormality in breath sounds e.g. wheezes (high pitched sound) which results from the passage of air through a narrowed air ways.

Second: Taking a picture of your lungs, using chest X-ray or CT Scan to look for structural abnormality as in pneumonia.

Third: Breathing test, it can be done using spirometry to evaluate the health of the lungs. This test can tell you how much air is going into the lungs & how rapidly air is inhaled or exhaled in the lungs (air flow). It can also detect symptomless problems in the lung such as in the case of smokers, whose test could show mild decrease in air flow before any symptoms appear. Also the test can establish a medical diagnosis as in wheezy chest to confirm bronchial asthma diagnosis. Also the doctor can assess the efficacy of management to ensure normal air flow is restored with medications.

The lungs are different from most of the other organs in your body because their delicate tissues are directly connected to the outside environment. Anything you breathe in can affect your lungs. Germs, smoke and other harmful substances can cause damage to your airways and threaten the lungs ability to work properly.

Don’t Smoke: Cigarette smoking is the major cause of COPD and lung cancer. Cigarette smoke can narrow the air passages and make breathing more difficult. It causes chronic inflammation or swelling in the lung. This can lead to chronic bronchitis. Over time cigarette smoke destroys lung tissue, and may trigger changes that grow into cancer.

Avoid exposure to pollutants that can damage your lungs

Secondhand smoke, outdoor air pollution, chemicals in the home and workplace can all cause or worsen lung disease. Make your home and car smoke-free. Avoid exercising outdoors on bad air days.

Prevent Infection

A cold or other respiratory infection can sometimes become very serious. There are several things you can do to protect yourself:

1. Wash your hands often with soap and water. Alcohol-based cleaners are a good substitute if you cannot wash.
2. Avoids crowds during the cold and flu season.
3. Good oral hygiene can protect you from the germs in your mouth leading to infections. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and see your dentist at least every 6 months.
4. Get vaccinated every year against influenza.
5. If you get sick, keep it to yourself! Protect the people around you, including your loved ones, by keeping your distance. Stay home from work or school until you are feeling better.

Get Regular Health Care

Regular check-ups are an important part of disease prevention, even when you are feeling well. This is especially true for lung disease, which sometimes goes undetected until it is serious. During a check-up, your healthcare provider will listen to your breathing and talk to you about any concerns you may have.