World Lung Day 2025: Insights From Leading Pulmonologists on Nurturing Lung Health

World Lung Day 2025: Insights From Leading Pulmonologists on Nurturing Lung Health

Our lungs work tirelessly every moment — drawing in oxygen, expelling carbon dioxide, filtering particles, and keeping our entire body alive. Yet most of us take them for granted until something starts going wrong. On World Lung Day 2025, we pause to reflect on respiratory health, learn from experts, and renew our commitment to protecting our lungs — especially in an era of rising pollution, smoking, and lingering post‑COVID respiratory effects.

We spoke with Dr Vivek Nangia (Vice Chairman & Head of Pulmonology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket) and Dr Shiba Kalyan Biswal (Clinical Director, Pulmonology, Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram) to understand current lung‑health challenges and practical ways for everyone — adults, children, and vulnerable groups — to breathe easier.

The Rising Challenge: Why Lung Diseases Are Increasing

Both doctors stress that lung disorders are no longer limited to older adults. They see an alarming uptick in younger patients and children presenting with respiratory issues. The Times of India

Some of the most common lung diseases currently observed include:

• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Interstitial lung disease
• Lung cancer
• Acute and recurrent respiratory infections (pneumonia, tuberculosis, influenza) The Times of India

Why the increase? The experts highlight multiple converging risk factors:

• Air pollution & poor ambient air quality, both outdoors and indoors (vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, household indoor pollutants)
• Smoking & vaping, still prevalent in many communities
• Sedentary lifestyles & poor fitness
• Post‑COVID lung injury / sequelae — fibrosis, scarring, chronic breathlessness
• Indoor pollution sources, such as biomass fuel, dust, mold, secondhand smoke
• Delayed diagnosis due to underestimating early symptoms

These combined pressures are pushing respiratory disease to the forefront of public health concerns.

Early Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore

One of the key messages: don’t dismiss lingering respiratory symptoms as “just a cold” or “normal ageing.” According to the doctors, these red flags warrant medical evaluation: The Times of India

• Persistent cough or wheezing
• Breathlessness on mild exertion
• Chest tightness or unexplained fatigue
• Repeated respiratory infections
• Chest pain (especially in smokers)
• In children: reduced activity, persistent cough, unexplained lethargy

Timely attention to these signs helps detect disease earlier and improves outcomes.

The Lingering Impact of COVID‑19 on Lungs

Even as the acute phase of the pandemic fades, COVID’s shadow remains over lung health. Many survivors continue to contend with:

• Chronic breathlessness
• Scarring or fibrosis of lung tissue
• Persistent cough or decline in exercise tolerance

Dr Biswal emphasizes the importance of long‑term follow-up and pulmonary rehabilitation for those affected, to manage ongoing symptoms and improve functional capacity.

Practical Lifestyle Strategies to Strengthen Your Lungs

While not all lung damage is reversible, experts agree that many habits can help maintain or even improve lung health. Here are top recommendations:

1. Breathing exercises & yogic pranayama

Incorporate techniques such as:

• Bhramari
• Bhastrika
• Anulom Vilom
• Kapalbhati
• Ujjayi breathing
• Deep belly breathing
• Pursed‑lip breathing

These improve lung capacity, reduce breathlessness, and strengthen respiratory muscles. The Times of India

2. Aerobic and physical activity

Engage in regular exercise — brisk walking, cycling, swimming, or other moderate cardio. Physical fitness supports respiratory efficiency.

3. Balanced, antioxidant‑rich diet

Consume fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants — broccoli, spinach, beetroot, carrots, berries, guava — and use healthy spices like turmeric, garlic, cumin, cinnamon. These support lung tissue health and reduce oxidative stress. The Times of India

4. Avoid polluting exposures

Minimize exposure to:

• Ambient air pollution (wear masks when needed, avoid high-pollution zones)
• Indoor pollutants (smoke, dusty indoor air, poor ventilation, biomass fuel)
• Secondhand smoke and vaping

5. Vaccinations & preventive care

Get annual influenza shots, pneumococcal vaccines (for those at risk), and stay current with respiratory vaccines. Early preventive measures reduce severe lung infections. The Times of India

6. Maintain healthy weight & hydration

Excess weight stresses respiratory mechanics; dehydration can worsen mucosal health. So, maintain optimal weight and adequate fluid intake. The Times of India

Protecting Lung Health in Children

Lungs begin developing early, making childhood an especially vulnerable period. The pulmonologists recommend:

• Smoke‑free environments (quit smoking, no vaping)
• Minimizing pollution exposure, especially during outdoor play
• Ensuring regular physical activity, ideally outdoors when air quality is good
• Nutrient‑rich diets with antioxidants
• Ensuring vaccinations (e.g. against respiratory infections)
• Monitoring and early action if respiratory symptoms arise in children The Times of India

Building these healthy habits early can reduce lifelong lung disease risks.

A Call to Action on World Lung Day

This World Lung Day, let’s commit to treating our lungs as the precious organs they are. Some steps individuals and communities can take:

• Pay attention to persistent respiratory symptoms — don’t delay evaluation
• Adopt lung-protective lifestyle changes
• Advocate for cleaner air policies, stricter emission controls, and urban planning that supports respiratory health
• Promote smoke‑free public spaces and anti‑tobacco initiatives
• Support public awareness on lung health, especially among children and vulnerable populations

Our lungs are central to our vitality — breathing clean air, moving well, eating healthfully, and staying vigilant about disease are all part of the holistic approach.