Nagpur: Lung health is not about preventing respiratory diseases but is linked to the health of the heart, brain, muscles and overall wellbeing, said Dr Sushant Meshram, professor and head, Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Superspecialty Hospital, Govt Medical College, Nagpur, ahead of World Lung Day on Sept 25.
Globally, over 500 million people are affected by asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with the two diseases together accounting for nearly four million deaths annually. Chronic respiratory diseases caused around four million deaths worldwide in 2021, including an estimated 1.25 million in India. An estimated 10.7 million people developed TB globally in 2024, with 1.23 million deaths. Lung cancer is also a major concern, with an estimated 81,748 new cases in India in 2022 and nearly 2.5 million globally.
Pulmonologist Dr Rajesh Swarnakar said many patients complain their respiratory distress continues throughout the year due to non-stop construction activities.
“Authorities need to fix timelines for such activities to cut air pollution and ensure people don’t remain exposed to pollutants throughout the year,” he said. Tuberculosis (TB) remains another major challenge. India continues to account for a substantial share of the global TB burden. Sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea can affect sleep quality, concentration and daytime functioning, while obesity, diabetes and physical inactivity can contribute to a cycle of breathlessness and declining exercise capacity. He stressed that patients recovering from TB may continue to have fibrosis, bronchiectasis or airflow limitation even after completing treatment and may require assessment of long-term lung function. Smoking remains a major risk factor for lung cancer, while air pollution and occupational exposure to dust, smoke and chemical fumes can also affect respiratory health. Air pollution is additionally linked to cardiovascular problems, including heart disease and stroke.