Lucknow: Cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among non-smokers have tripled in the past decade, with prolonged exposure to air pollution emerging as a major contributor, doctors said at a pre-conference briefing of National Chest Summit 2026 on Friday.Doctors said COPD, earlier diagnosed in adults aged 40 and above, was now being diagnosed in people as young as 25.Prof Rajendra Prasad, former pulmonary HOD at KGMU, said he earlier saw 4-5 non-smoker COPD patients in the OPD every day. “The number has now risen to 12-15 patients daily,” he said.Prof Prasad said continued exposure to high levels of air pollution was the main reason behind the rise in cases. Dr TP Singh, former director of Balrampur Hospital, said increased awareness and improved testing facilities had also contributed to the rise. “More people are now aware of the symptoms and are coming forward for diagnosis. Testing facilities have also improved, leading to the detection of more cases. But the reduction in the age of patients is concerning,” Singh said.Dr Nikhil Gupta advised people to take precautions against air pollution, especially during winter when pollution levels often rise. “People should wear masks in cold weather and change them every few hours to ensure they remain effective,” he said.Dr Ruchit Sharma and Dr Harsita Rani said prevention required reducing exposure to outdoor pollution, tobacco smoke, second-hand smoke, indoor pollutants and dust at workplaces. They advised people to improve ventilation at home and use protective equipment in polluted or dusty environments.They said persistent cough, breathlessness, wheezing, excessive sputum production and reduced exercise tolerance should not be ignored. Early consultation and tests such as spirometry can help in timely diagnosis.Regular review of inhaler technique and adherence, along with pulmonary rehabilitation, breathing exercises and supervised physical activity, can improve quality of life. Patients with advanced disease may require oxygen therapy or non-invasive ventilation, while selected patients may be considered for bronchoscopic or surgical procedures.A similar increase was reported in lung cancer cases. Doctors said they earlier saw about one patient a month, while the number had now risen to nearly one patient a day. Treatment decisions depend on the type and stage of cancer, as well as molecular and biomarker testing. Surgery and radiotherapy remain important for localised disease, while advanced cases may require chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapy.The doctors stressed the need for early diagnosis. Persistent cough, unexplained weight loss, chest pain, breathlessness, coughing up blood or recurrent respiratory infections should be medically evaluated.
