Similar to the rest of our body, our lungs age. It is absolutely important to be aware of the subtle symptoms that our lungs may not be functioning as well as they once were. In the World Air Quality Report 2022, India's average annual PM2.5 concentration of 53.3 micrograms per cubic metre. We were ranked seventh in the world—ten times higher than WHO standards. Now, this is where things become tricky because our lungs are greatly impacted by the air we breathe. By understanding these symptoms early on, we can better maintain the health of our respiratory system and take the appropriate action to enhance its performance. These are the six main indicators that our lungs may be ageing faster than we are.
“Most muscles and organs, including our lungs, decline progressively as we age. The bones become thinner, the muscle tissue around them lose elasticity, and the air sacs are unable to retain their shape. As a result, older men and women get tired easily, experience shortness of breath, and persistent coughs due to the decreased airflow and lowered levels of oxygen. Apart from them, ageing also weakens the response of body’s immune system. This makes them more vulnerable when exposed to pathogens and environmental toxins, leading to an increased risk for cancer and longer bouts of respiratory illnesses,” explained Dr Prasanth Penumadu, Head of the Department, Surgical Oncology, Sri Venkateswara Institute of Cancer Care and Advanced Research (SVICCAR), Tirupati.
