World Lung Day 2025: Why Women Are More at Risk of Lung Damage Even Without Smoking, Doctors Warn

Health News: Women are at a higher risk of serious lung problems, including COPD, even if they have never smoked or smoked very little, say experts. COPD, which includes long-term illnesses like emphysema and bronchitis, makes breathing difficult and damages the lungs over time. While smoking is a major cause of these diseases, studies show that women’s higher risk is not only linked to smoking. Even though fewer women smoke today compared to 50 years ago, COPD is still one of the leading causes of death and affects women almost as much as men.

Why are more women affected by lung issues?

Doctors say women with COPD show stronger symptoms, which could mean their bodies are more sensitive to cigarette smoke. In countries like India, this happens mostly in rural homes where women breathe smoke from cooking with wood, coal, or cow dung. Experts believe this can be like smoking several cigarettes every day. In cities, women face constant traffic pollution and secondhand smoke at work or home. Doctors also say many women ignore signs of COPD or other lung problems until it becomes too late for proper treatment. Most lung diseases are silent at first, and ignoring breathlessness, a constant cough, or tiredness – which people may think is just age or weakness – can turn deadly.

What is COPD?

COPD means lasting lung and airway damage that blocks airflow and makes breathing difficult. Doctors say the changes in COPD include:

• Loss of stretch in the airways and lung sacs
• Swelling and scarring that narrow the airways
• Thick mucus blocking airways
• Breakdown of the walls between air sacs, trapping air

People with COPD often face flare-ups where symptoms get worse – severe shortness of breath, thicker mucus, wheezing, and coughing. Doctors warn it worsens with time and flare-ups happen more often, usually over many years, though some get worse faster.

Some signs of COPD include:

• Long-lasting cough with mucus
• Trouble taking a deep breath
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Chest shaped like a barrel
• Bluish skin

How to treat COPD?

There is no cure for COPD, but doctors say treatment can ease symptoms and reduce flare-ups. You can:

• Stop smoking
• Use inhalers like bronchodilators and steroids
• Take oxygen therapy
• Join a lung rehabilitation program
• Use a course of corticosteroids
• Take antibiotics if needed
• Undergo lung volume reduction surgery