Air pollution in Delhi-NCR is causing respiratory issues even among young, healthy individuals without prior lung problems, prompting them to undergo lung screening tests. Doctors recommend these as preventive measures amid rising cases.
Toxic air in Delhi-NCR is driving a surge in patients at hospitals in Noida and Ghaziabad, even those without any history of lung issues. A 19-year-old student, recently shifted from Delhi to Ghaziabad, sought consultation at Yashoda Medicity after a week of dry cough and sudden chest tightness with breathlessness. He has no asthma, allergies, or chronic respiratory illness but commutes via public buses and Metro, exposing him to traffic pollution.
Dr Ankit Bhatia, senior consultant at Yashoda Medicity, recommended a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) for the student. "Pollution is now triggering airway obstruction even in people who never had respiratory complaints. That’s why we recommend PFTs to young adults experiencing unexplained breathlessness or persistent cough," he said.
The pulmonology department now sees 5-6 PFTs daily, up from tests mainly for those with prior conditions. Rakesh Kumar Gupta, a 60-year-old contractor from Muzaffarnagar, drove two hours after breathlessness following roadside exposure. The PFT, using a spirometer in a body box, takes 10-15 minutes and costs Rs 2,499.
At Felix Hospital, Dr Priyadarshi J Kumar advises tests for chronic cough, chest pain, or wheezing, including for school children. He noted pollution causes inflammation that can turn chronic and lead to lung cancer from carcinogenic particulates. Yatharth Hospital reports a 40% rise in lung issues compared to summer, with Dr Vipul Mishra recommending PFTs alongside chest X-rays and blood tests even for non-smokers without pre-existing disease.
