Lungs have become the primary targets for respiratory pandemics like COVID-19, SARS, MERS, etc.; Lungs are to be protected cautiously. The latest pandemic COVID-19 virus has affected more than 88 million until January 2021 across the world and more than 10 million in India, causing mild to moderate respiratory illnesses and for older people, those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. Most mortal consequences (noticeably about 60-90% admitted cases) that occurred in this pandemic were related to Lung and Heart Deterioration or Failure. Asymptomatic cases are to be monitored strictly for the post-exposure medical events because the pandemic prognosis (in humans) is not determined and not illustrated clearly.
We often take our breathing and our respiratory health for granted. However, the lung is a vital organ that is vulnerable to airborne infection and injury. Respiratory diseases are leading to the causes of death and disability in the world. About 65 million people suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 3 million dies from it each year, making it the third leading cause of death worldwide. About 334 million people suffer from asthma, the most common chronic disease of childhood affecting 14% of all children globally.
Pneumonia kills millions of people annually and is a leading cause of death among children under 5 years old. Over 10 million people develop tuberculosis (TB) and 1.4 million dies from it each year, making it the most common lethal infectious disease. Lung cancer kills 1.6 million people each year and is the most deadly cancer.
Globally, 4 million people die prematurely from chronic respiratory disease. At least 2 billion people are exposed to indoor toxic smoke, 1 billion inhale outdoor polluted air and 1 billion are exposed to tobacco smoke. The latest pandemic COVID-19 virus has affected more than 35 million until October 2020, causing mild to moderate respiratory illness and for older people, those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.
The truth is that many of us are naïve to these stark realities. Fortunately, most respiratory diseases are preventable by improving the quality of the air. Common sources of unhealthy air are tobacco smoke, indoor and outdoor air pollution, and air containing microbes, toxic particles, fumes, or allergens. Reducing tobacco consumption is the most important first step. Controlling unhealthy air in the workplace can prevent occupational lung diseases. Strengthening immunity programs can prevent many types of pneumonia.
Improving respiratory health also entails strengthening healthcare systems, using established guidelines for health promotion and disease prevention, training medical personnel, research, and educating the population.
