Don’t ignore even mild shortness of breath, cautions epidemiologist

Renowned Epidemiologist and Advisor to the National Communicable Diseases Control Programme Dr Naresh Purohit, has cautioned against the general tendency to ignore shortness of breath, even mild or occasional breathlessness, specifically during winter chill.

“This is not something to ignore, brushing aside as a sign of tiredness or ageing, ” he remarked.

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Dr Purohit, who is also Principal Investigator for the Association of Studies in Respiratory Care, said in a release – “During the winter chill, most people miss shortness of breath and brush it aside as a sign of tiredness or ageing.

Many people assume it is normal to feel breathless after climbing stairs or walking a short distance, especially during seasonal changes. However, even mild or occasional breathlessness can be an early sign of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, commonly known as COPD. This condition is far more common than people realise and remains underdiagnosed in many parts of Rajasthan”, the Epidemiologist has stated.

The winter chill also makes people’s nasal passages a most suitable abode for respiratory viruses and bacteria, which show the most activation during this season. These microscopic invaders thrive in the low humidity, making our respiratory tracts a welcoming haven, he elaborated.

Hence, there was a significant surge in patients of sneezing, coughing, and respiratory illness in the region, Dr Purohit stated, quoting health authorities.

“The cold air that we are inhaling sometimes does not get humidified and warmed up enough, and therefore reaches the lungs directly. So cold air reaching the lungs directly can sometimes cause bronchoconstriction and bronchospasm that could result in asthma. That means narrowing of the airways because of cold air being breathed in, resulting in asthma like situation,” he explained

Quoting his recent research study in the Indian Journal of Chest Diseases and Allied Sciences, the acclaimed medic pointed out that influenza viruses are better at spreading in chilly climates. He averred that in warm months, the air contains more moisture, which causes infected droplets to be larger. These droplets then fall to the ground, reducing lower levels of transmissibility.

However, in the cold months, since the air is drier, the droplets that might contain the virus hang in the air for longer periods, thus spreading faster. This is why the virus persists in the upper respiratory tract for a longer time.

“Increased pollution also raises the risk of cough and allergic reactions, leading to superadded infections. As the weather gets colder, people naturally spend more time indoors and huddle closer together in homes, schools, and workplaces. This increases the chances of close contact with someone carrying a virus, making transmission much easier, he explained.”