Air pollution, asthma, COPD & lung care explained by a pulmonologist with simple tips to protect your lungs daily.
lung health
We breathe without thinking-while talking, sleeping, working, even scrolling on our phones. Yet every breath carries more than just oxygen. In today’s world, it may also carry pollution, dust, allergens, and viruses. As a pulmonologist, I often tell patients: your lungs remember everything you breathe in. The good news is that many lung problems are preventable, and most are manageable if understood early.
This article is written for everyday readers-to help you understand common lung conditions, modern risks like air pollution and construction dust, and practical steps you can take to protect your lungs and your family.
Air Pollution: You Can’t See It, But Your Lungs Can Feel It
Air pollution is no longer just a “Delhi problem” or a “winter problem.” Many Indian cities now have poor air quality for most of the year. Tiny particles released from vehicles, factories, construction sites, and burning of waste are small enough to enter deep into the lungs and even the bloodstream.
Short-term exposure causes cough, throat irritation, burning eyes, and breathlessness. Long-term exposure increases the risk of asthma, allergies, COPD, recurrent infections, heart disease, and stroke. Children exposed to pollution may never reach their full lung capacity.
If you notice your cough or breathlessness worsening on polluted days, that’s not imagination-it’s physiology.
Air Purifiers: Do They Really Work?
This is one of the most common questions I’m asked.
Yes, air purifiers can help-but only if used correctly.
Air purifiers with a true HEPA filter can remove fine particulate matter (PM2.5), dust, pollen, mold spores, and some bacteria from indoor air. They are especially useful for:
Asthma and allergy patients
Children and elderly people
Homes near busy roads or construction sites
Bedrooms (where we spend 6–8 hours continuously)
Important points most people miss:
One purifier is usually meant for one room, not the whole house
Keep doors and windows closed while using it
Filter maintenance is crucial-dirty filters stop working
Air purifiers do not remove gases or cigarette smoke completely
They are a support tool, not a substitute for reducing pollution exposure
Think of air purifiers like spectacles for bad eyesight-they help, but they don’t cure the underlying problem.
Asthma and Allergies: More Common Than You Think
Asthma is not just a childhood disease. Many adults develop asthma later in life due to pollution, viral infections, or occupational exposure. Allergies to dust mites, pollen, mold, and cockroach particles are common indoor triggers.
Symptoms include wheezing, cough (especially at night or early morning), chest tightness, and breathlessness. Unfortunately, many patients ignore symptoms or rely only on cough syrups.
A common myth: inhalers are addictive or dangerous.
The truth: inhalers deliver small, targeted doses directly to the lungs and are much safer than repeated oral medications.
Well-controlled asthma allows a completely normal life-including exercise and travel.
COPD: Not Only a Smoker’s Disease
COPD is often associated with smoking, but in India, many non-smokers develop COPD due to:
Long-term exposure to chulha or biomass smoke
Air pollution
Occupational dust (construction, factories)
Patients usually adapt slowly to worsening breathlessness and seek help late. Early diagnosis with lung function testing can dramatically improve quality of life and slow progression.
Viral Infections, Colds, and Pneumonia
Most common colds and sore throats are viral and settle with rest, hydration, and symptomatic care. Antibiotics usually don’t help here.
However, some infections descend into the lungs causing pneumonia-especially in older adults, diabetics, smokers, and people with lung disease. Pneumonia can present with fever, cough, chest pain, breathlessness, or sudden weakness.
Never ignore breathlessness or falling oxygen levels, even if fever is mild.
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis and Other Interstitial Lung Diseases
Some lung problems don’t start with germs-but with environment.
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is caused by repeated inhalation of organic dust, commonly from:
Pigeon or bird droppings
Mold in damp houses
Poorly ventilated homes
It often presents as dry cough and breathlessness and may be mistaken for asthma or infection. If exposure continues, lung scarring can develop.
Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are a group of conditions involving inflammation or fibrosis of lung tissue. Early diagnosis is critical-some forms are treatable if caught early.
Construction Dust: The Overlooked Risk
Living near construction sites or working in dusty environments exposes lungs to harmful particles like silica. Over time, this can worsen asthma, trigger chronic cough, or cause irreversible lung damage.
Masks, dust control measures, and regular health checks are not luxuries-they are necessities.
Prevention: Small Steps, Big Impact
Vaccinations: Flu, pneumococcal, and COVID vaccines reduce severe lung infections
Avoid smoking and passive smoke
Use masks during high pollution or dust exposure
Maintain indoor hygiene: reduce dust, dampness, and bird exposure
Breathing exercises: improve lung efficiency and symptom control
Regular check-ups if cough or breathlessness lasts more than 2–3 weeks
When Tests Are Needed
Modern diagnostics help us look beyond symptoms. Lung function tests assess airflow. CT scans show detailed lung structure. Bronchoscopy allows direct visualization of airways when infections, blockages, or unexplained disease is suspected. These tests help reach accurate diagnoses and avoid unnecessary treatment.
Lungs and the Heart: A Hidden Connection
Chronic lung disease can strain the heart, leading to a condition called cor pulmonale. This is why untreated lung disease doesn’t remain “just a breathing issue”-it affects overall health and longevity.
Final Message
Your lungs are silently working for you every second. Chronic cough, breathlessness, or frequent infections are not “normal aging” or “just pollution.” They are signals.
Cleaner indoor air, informed choices, timely vaccination, and early medical advice can help you and your family breathe easier-today and for years to come.
Footnote
Dr. Anchit Bhatnagar
M.B.B.S , M.D Pulmonary Medicine
Associate Professor & H.O.D
9096349561
Plot number 21, Nerul, Ashtagandha Society, Om Ganesh Society, Sector-48, Seawoods, Navi Mumbai.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
