Dr. Harshil Alwani,
Consultant in Pulmonology,
CK Birla Hospitals, Jaipur

chronic respiratory diseases can be effectively managed in addition to being preventable.” The theme for this year, “Short of Breath, Think COPD,” emphasizes the importance of identifying symptoms like wheezing, chest tightness, persistent coughing, and dyspnea early on, particularly in smokers and those who have been exposed to dust, pollution, or biomass smoke.

Many people overlook early symptoms of COPD, such as a persistent cough, dyspnea with exertion, or recurrent chest infections, because the condition frequently develops silently.  Early detection of these symptoms and consulting a doctor can greatly slow the course of the illness.

COPD patients need to exercise extra caution as winter draws near because of the increased pollution levels and the ease with which flare-ups can be caused by smoke, cold air, and seasonal infections. Maintaining stable lung health requires avoiding indoor and outdoor pollutants, staying physically active, using inhalers correctly, and keeping vaccinations current. Reducing the overall burden of COPD requires raising awareness of these practices.  We urge everyone to support people with chronic respiratory conditions and give lung health top priority on this World COPD Day.

“On World COPD Day, we must fundamentally shift our focus from a ‘smoker’s disease’ to an ‘exposure disease.’ In India, non-smoking COPD is a far greater public health crisis, driven by environmental toxins like biomass smoke and severe air pollution that compromise the lungs of our non-smoking population, including the young. Our message is clear: COPD is preventable and manageable. We must champion clean air initiatives, prioritize timely vaccination against flu and pneumonia, and ensure vigilance against symptoms, especially during high-pollution seasons. Don’t let clean lungs be a casualty of our environment.”

Dr. Raja Dhar Director & HOD, Pulmonology, CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI Kolkata