Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Nov 19: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), long believed to be a smoker’s illness or an age-related condition, is now emerging in young adults and even lifelong non-smokers — a shift that leading pulmonologists say India can no longer ignore. With worsening air quality, increased exposure to biomass fuels, and modern lifestyle stressors, COPD is taking root earlier and more aggressively than ever before.

To understand this alarming trend, Daijiworld spoke with two of India’s top respiratory experts — Dr. Vivek Nangia of Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, and Dr. Manu Madan of Medanta Hospital, Noida. Their insights uncover the evolving nature of COPD, its hidden triggers, and the daily habits that can make or break long-term lung health.

Dispelling the biggest myth surrounding COPD, Dr. Nangia said the disease is no longer exclusive to smokers.

“Almost 50% of today’s COPD burden is in non-smokers,” he said, attributing the surge to polluted air, occupational hazards, and exposure to biomass fuel in households.
COPD often goes undiagnosed until it becomes severe. The reason: symptoms creep in gradually.

“A cough lasting eight weeks, unexplained weight loss, or increasing breathlessness should never be ignored,” Dr. Nangia cautioned. Simple tests such as chest X-rays and Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT) can detect the condition early.

Once lung damage occurs, it cannot be reversed. But with the right treatment — including inhalers, pulmonary rehabilitation, and strict infection control — patients can lead stable lives. “The key is preventing exacerbations,” Dr. Nangia added.

Air pollution has dramatically altered COPD patterns.

“We’re seeing new patients who have never smoked, and existing COPD patients are experiencing more frequent and severe flare-ups,” he said, adding that the overall intensity of symptoms has increased.

While smoking remains a major factor, Dr. Manu Madan highlighted other equally dangerous triggers:

• Vaping and e-cigarettes

• Biomass fuel exposure

• Prior lung infections, including tuberculosis

• Occupational hazards

• Genetic predisposition

Diet, sleep and stress are deeply interconnected with COPD outcomes.

“Antioxidant-rich foods and omega-3 fatty acids help. A high-carb diet, on the other hand, can worsen symptoms,” Dr. Madan explained.
Balanced nutrition, mindfulness practices and regular exercise can significantly improve lung capacity and quality of life.

For those living in high-pollution zones, Dr. Madan urges consistent preventive measures:

• Track AQI and avoid outdoor exposure on high-pollution days

• Use N95 or surgical masks (avoid long-duration N95 use)

• Steam inhalation and gargling after returning home

• Use indoor plants

• Install air purifiers if staying indoors for long hours

Once considered a post-40 disease, COPD is now being diagnosed in young adults. The reasons:

• Severe urban air pollution

• Poor lung growth due to childhood infections or low birth weight

• Hookah and e-cigarette use among youth

• Industrial exposure to harmful gases

• Genetic disorders like Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

With environmental hazards rising and lifestyle patterns shifting, experts warn that COPD is becoming India’s next major public health challenge. Early diagnosis, prevention, and awareness, they say, are the only way forward.