Imagine gasping for air in the midst of the noise of everyday life on a busy street, yet unable to join it. That is the stark reality which millions of Indians have to deal with in their daily lives. They are more prone to diseases like Bronchitis and COPD. The rate of asthma has increased 50% in two decades,, globally. Most of the cases have been reported in developing countries like India, according to a report by Global Initiative for Asthma, or GINA. This is more than just a health emergency; it has also turned into a wake-up call for India before it turns out to be late.

The idea of Viksit Bharat that aspires to stand India as a developed nation by 2047 heavily relies on the shoulder of the youth who, by the contribution, are contributing over 65% to the population. However, the demographic advantage is currently under attack as a Global Burden of Disease research study cites that India carries 13% of the asthma burden of the world, and the prevalence of respiratory diseases is rising in the young generation. Indian Council of Medical Research claims that respiratory disease like COPD is third in the list of the major causes of death in India. They contribute to up to 15-20% of total deaths. COPD by itself constitutes another major DALYs with smoking, poor air, and inadequate medical care. What does this mean to a nation that is actually heavily invested in dreaming big into the future?

A generation at risk.

The figures do not lie as they tell such a sobering tale. According to the WHO, more than 90% of the world inhales polluted air and 22 of the 30 most polluted cities in the world exist in the country of India. The Air Quality Life Index estimates the decline in life expectancy for an average Indian to 5.2 years and states that the risks for the youths are much worse. A lethal cocktail of vehicular emissions, industrial waste, and the lifestyle issues such as smoking chokes not just their lungs but also their aspirations to develop.

Consider the case of Riya (Changed name), a 25-year-old software engineer from Noida. She has been diagnosed with Asthma not very long ago, and today finds herself wheezing at a flight of stairs. Stories like Riya’s are no longer exceptions but have become a grim norm in urban India. The implications are staggering. How does a nation aspire when its biggest chunk of the workforce is crippled under unprecedented health issues?

The Silent Epidemic: Asthma and COPD

Asthma and COPD are not just chronic ailments; they are the silent epidemics. Asthma, once considered a childhood disease, today afflicts nearly 34 million Indians, according to the Global Burden of Disease 2019 report. COPD, on the other hand, kills over 10 lakh people every year, making it the second leading cause of death in India. Yet, awareness about these diseases remains abysmally low, particularly in the rural areas.

The problem is not only medical but systemic. Early diagnosis is very rare, and the treatment adherence is poor. The public health policies thus very often tend to overlook the seriousness of respiratory diseases. And then there is the economic burden— a study by the Indian Chest Society puts the annual healthcare expenditures and loss in productivity in India due to asthma and COPD at over $30 billion.

Science to the Rescue: The Role of PhytoActives in Battling Breath

The pollutants we inhale carries threats that affect our respiratory organs and jeopardize our overall well-being. From bustling cities under the blanket of smog to rural areas battling crop-burning pollution (Parali), respiratory diseases have emerged as silent adversaries, stealthily stealing breath and age alike. In this crisis, nature, as it often does, offers its healing touch through science of Phyto-actives (high-potency plant extracts). Phytoactives are the plant-based remedies, emerging as potent allies in our fight for respiratory wellness.

Innovative approaches are now tapping into the potential of these plant-based compounds to improve respiratory health. For example, PhytoRelief Plus lozenge-based solutions have been promising in managing respiratory infections and reducing viral loads. Clinical studies have shown that such formulations can effectively combat conditions like Bronchitis and Asthma by providing targeted, prolonged relief.

Pollution and the Future of the Youth: A National Concern

The Indian youth are saddled with the dual burden of polluted air and unhealthy lifestyles. Air pollution alone contributes to over 2.3 million premature deaths in India each year, says Lancet Planetary Health. This is not a health issue but a question of survival and productivity for young adults.

Consider the economic implications. A generation that cannot perform at its best owing to respiratory diseases is a lost demographic dividend for India. It begins affecting education, employment, and even defense forces with young recruits afflicted by asthma and COPD. Viral respiratory infections, inflammation in the airways, and shortness of breath are now so common that it is a very alarming condition and further destroys the strength of India’s youth.

Urgency Meets Innovation: The Way Forward

The clock is ticking. Responding to the respiratory health crisis in India would call for an all-rounded approach-policy interventions, innovation, and public health measures.

1. Urgent policy interventions- more stringent air quality standards, intensified green cover, and public health campaign with more vigor

2. Public health initiatives- hooked on early diagnosis, adherence to treatment, and lifestyle change.

3. Innovations like phytoactive-based solutions seem reflective of the direction things are shaping up to follow, where ancient remedies and science-based medicine is the dispenser for potable health as it does in the prevention of respiratory diseases.

Breathing life into a healthier tomorrow

The battle to be fought is not only the fight against asthma and COPD, but against other respiratory diseases. While India walks into the 2047 vision, its healthy youth will make the dream of Viksit Bharat a reality or an aspiration.

To Riya and millions like her, the promise of holistic approaches combining lifestyle change, policy measure, and scientific innovation is a hope rather than mere relief. India can look forward to the next generation, when its young breathe, truly thrive, and power the onward march of this great nation.

Shared responsibility: The air we breathe. Time to act, innovate, and invest in solutions that will make every Indian breathe easy, live fully, and contribute to the nation’s future. Let’s not just dream of a developed India—let’s build one, one breath at a time.

Disclaimer-

(This article is part of DMCL Consumer Connect Initiative, a paid publication programme. DMCL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility, liability or claims for any errors or omissions in the content of the article. The DMCL Editorial team is not responsible for this content.)

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Breathing Hope: Battling asthma and COPD in India’s quest for healthier tomorrow