Why young non-smokers are now facing serious lung disorders

Lung damage isn’t just a smoker’s story anymore. Pollution, vaping, poor indoor air, and stress are silently harming young lungs (Images: Pexels)

It's worth highlighting that chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), have traditionally been viewed as diseases associated with smoking, older adults or sustained exposures to industrial pollutants. But the pulmonologists have started to see a concerning trend: more and more young adults, who don't smoke, are starting to be diagnosed with or develop serious lung illness. These trends raise some concerns in the space of respiratory health and warrant a better understanding of the possible causes of this silent epidemic.

Notably, Dr. Manish Garg, Associate Director & Unit Head, Pulmonology, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka, said that this cannot be explained by genetics or ignored any longer. There has been sufficient clinical information and evidence to show that today's modern exposures contribute to serious lung disease - environmental exposures, lifestyle choices and occupational exposures.

The increase in chronic respiratory disease in youth undermines expectations about who is really at risk. It cements the need for awareness, early diagnosis, and proactive measures – especially in urban populations where air quality is steadily declining.

Also Read: From asthma to bronchitis, air pollution can trigger respiratory diseases, here's how to stay safe

1. Low Quality Urban Air and Air Pollution

Even for a large majority who are not smokers, just inhaling dirty air—particularly in cities—can be tantamount to smoking from a pack of cigarettes a day. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5), car exhaust, pollution and construction dust penetrate deeply into the lungs and are causing chronic inflammation and respiratory issues.

2. Indoor Air Pollutants

Indoor air is of poor quality and generally neglected. Chronic exposure to dust mites, mold, cleaning products' chemicals, incense, mosquito coils, and even perfumed candles can cause irritation to the airways. Poor ventilation in households and workplaces just aggravates the situation.

3. Vaping and E-cigarettes

Most young adults feel that vaping is safer than smoking, but there is now evidence that e-cigarettes can also cause lung tissue injury and inflammatory responses. Multiple cases of vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI) have even led to hospitals or deaths.

4. Occupational Exposure

Teenagers working in occupations such as construction, manufacturing, or beauty salons might be repeatedly exposed to dust, fumes, or chemical vapors without using protective gear. Dust and fumes can lead to lung irritation or long-term diseases.

5. Undiagnosed Asthma

Unmanaged or unrecognized asthma and allergic trigger condition can progress to impact lung function. Even among non-smokers, there may be a host of environmental
allergic triggers which can include pollen, pet dander, and air pollution exposure.

6. Compromise in Lifestyle

Immunocompromise and lifestyle compromise by physical inactivity, poor diet, perverse stress, and poor sleeping patterns, can and will compromise the effectiveness of the immune system, supporting susceptibility to young people from respiratory infection and extended recovery, as well as long-term complications.

Lung health is not simply the domain of smokers anymore. Non-smoking, healthy, young adults are being impacted by lung issues as a result of environmental, lifestyle, and workplace exposure. Most of these are probably preventable in the end.

By focusing on clean air, regular health checks, as well as early signs of lung issues, young adult individuals will have the potential to take action in keeping lungs healthy and save damage that may not be able to be reversed.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis