WORLD LUNG DAY How Covid19 impacted the health of lungs

Team L&M

With the COVID-19 pandemic seemingly behind us, the world is finally returning to the old normal. However, in the aftermath of the outbreak, we are now facing some other serious problems related to the respiratory system, primarily the lungs.

Millions across the globe are grappling with respiratory infections, but the prevalence is extremely high in low and middle-income (LMIC) nations, where funding for research, prevention, and management is limited. Moreover, in order to overcome this inequality, the social and environmental determinants of health, such as tobacco use, air pollution, poverty, and climate change, must also be looked at.

A recent study by the American Thoracic Society revealed that the pandemic may have eased, but its impact reflects on an emerging crisis of deteriorating lung health. COVID-19 can cause lung problems such as pneumonia and, in critical cases, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or ARDS.

Another study published in Radiology by Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) found that Children and adolescents who have either recovered from COVID-19 or have long COVID show persistent lung damage on MRI. The researchers identified changes in lung structure and function in 54 children and adolescents (mean age 11 years). Of the 54 patients, 29 had recovered, and 25 had long COVID. All but one of the patients had been unvaccinated at the time of original infection.

Moreover, the Pneumonia that COVID-19 causes, tends to take hold in both lungs, making it difficult in oxygen intake, causing shortness of breath, persistent cough and other symptoms. The recovery from the COVID-affected lung health depends on the kind of care they are getting along with the severity of the COVID itself.

Commenting on World Lung Day, Dr Mukesh Batra, Padma Shri recipient, Founder and Chairman, Dr Batra’s Group of Companies, said “Our lungs are exceptionally prone to chronic ailments, whether it is Asthma, COPD, or Bronchitis. The COVID-19 pandemic has only added to breathing issues. As a Homeopathy practitioner for 50 years, I believe that this system of medicine can effectively treat most respiratory diseases by addressing the root cause of the problem through individualised treatment. Apart from adopting homeopathy, people should also maintain a healthy lifestyle (like practising breathing exercises) and strictly avoid smoking to keep the lungs healthy”.