Gujarat is seeing a worrying rise in air pollution, leading to a sharp spike in respiratory illnesses. Doctors report that post-Covid, cases of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) have increased by nearly 30%, raising major public health concerns.
With winter setting in, the danger is growing. Cold air traps pollutants close to the ground, causing a buildup of dust, smoke, particulate matter and vehicle emissions—all of which people breathe in directly. These pollutants irritate the airways, reduce lung capacity and worsen asthma, bronchitis and other breathing disorders.
Pulmonologists warn that long-term exposure to polluted air causes chronic inflammation and serious lung damage. Increasingly, they are seeing COPD symptoms in people in their 40s and 50s, who report persistent cough, breathlessness, chest tightness and fatigue.
Doctors say lung health still doesn’t get the attention it deserves, even though early treatment can effectively manage COPD. They recommend Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT), a simple and painless scan that measures how well the lungs are working.
Most patients, however, seek help only after considerable lung damage has occurred. Early PFT screening allows timely diagnosis and helps manage COPD as efficiently as diabetes, with proper monitoring and medication. It also reduces heart-related risks and improves overall quality of life.
Globally, COPD has climbed from the fourth to the third leading cause of death, according to the World Health Organization. In India, respiratory diseases are now the second biggest cause of death, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Sample Registration System.