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Facts about women and lung health

Facts about women and lung healthMany think that lung diseases predominantly affect male. But recent statistics suggest that the number of women diagnosed with lung diseases has been gradually increasing and even surged ahead of men in some cases. In fact, lung disease is a leading cause of death among women.
World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that about 16.2% of all deaths among women worldwide are attributable to lung diseases, including respiratory infections (7.4%); chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (5.1%); tuberculosis (1.8%); trachea, bronchus and lung cancer (1.4%); and asthma (0.5%). In low-income countries, lower respiratory infections, including pneumonia, are the leading single cause of death among women (11.4%).
Three of the most common lung diseases in women are asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer.
Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways in the lungs that has rose 97% in women compared to a 22% increase in men over a 14-year period. Women are more likely than men to have asthma and are more likely to die from it. Many experts think that air pollution and allergens play a role in this increase. Breathing tobacco smoke also is linked to an increased risk of asthma.
The number of women diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has surged ahead of men. COPD are the conditions that limit airflow into and out of the lungs and make breathing difficult. COPD usually gets worse with time. Many experts think that cigarette smoking, a main cause of COPD, has increased among women and it is more damaging to women than to men.
Lung cancer is a fatal disease and more women now die of lung cancer than from any other type of cancer. Tobacco and indoor air pollution from using solid fuels for heating and cooking are considered as major risk factor. Research shows a strong association between indoor air pollution and COPD and between exposure to coal smoke and lung cancer. As most women in Bangladesh rely on solid fuel for cooking, light and heating, the risk is even greater for them.
Lung health in women should be a priority. We all should work to increase awareness among general population and sensitised policymakers to take appropriate steps to tackle lung diseases in women.

Source - The Daily Star