New Delhi, 25 September, 2025: Every year on September 25, World Lung Day draws global attention to the importance of lung health. In 2025, the focus is on a growing concern that often goes unnoticed—premature lung ageing. While most people worry about skin wrinkles or grey hair as signs of ageing, our lungs too undergo age-related decline, often much earlier than we realize.
Doctors warn that lifestyle habits, environmental exposure, and undiagnosed respiratory conditions can make your lungs “age” faster than your actual years. The good news? There are medical tests that can accurately assess lung function and help detect early signs of trouble.
On this World Lung Day, let’s explore how to know if your lungs are ageing faster than you, the tests that can help, and what steps you can take to protect them.
How Do Lungs Age Naturally?
Just like the heart, bones, or skin, lungs too change with age. After the age of 30–35, lung function naturally begins to decline. This happens due to:
- Loss of elasticity in lung tissues, making it harder to breathe deeply.
- Weakening of respiratory muscles, including the diaphragm.
- Stiffening of chest wall bones and cartilage, reducing breathing efficiency.
- Decrease in alveoli (tiny air sacs), lowering oxygen exchange.
By the time a person reaches 65–70, lung capacity may reduce by up to 30% compared to young adulthood. However, if someone smokes, lives in polluted environments, or suffers from chronic conditions like asthma, COPD, or long COVID, this decline can start much earlier.
Signs Your Lungs May Be Ageing Faster
Doctors highlight several warning symptoms that suggest lungs are not functioning at their best:
- Persistent shortness of breath even during mild activity.
- Chronic cough lasting more than 8 weeks.
- Frequent wheezing or noisy breathing.
- Reduced exercise tolerance compared to peers.
- Recurring respiratory infections like bronchitis.
- Fatigue or dizziness due to poor oxygen circulation.
These may indicate conditions like COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, or asthma, all of which can speed up lung ageing if left untreated.
Medical Tests That Can Assess Lung Ageing
On World Lung Day 2025, healthcare experts are urging people, especially those above 35, to consider regular lung health screenings. Here are the most common and effective tests:
1. Spirometry
This is the gold standard test for lung function. It measures:
- How much air you can inhale and exhale.
- How quickly you can exhale.
It helps diagnose COPD, asthma, and restrictive lung diseases. Results are often expressed as “lung age” compared to your actual age.
2. Peak Flow Test
A simple, handheld device test that measures how fast you can blow air out. It’s useful for monitoring asthma control and detecting airflow obstruction.
3. Chest X-Ray
While not a direct measure of lung age, X-rays can detect chronic infections, scarring, and lung damage that accelerate decline.
4. CT Scan (High-Resolution)
More detailed than X-rays, CT scans can reveal early signs of emphysema, fibrosis, or lung cancer, especially in smokers or high-risk groups.
5. Diffusion Capacity Test (DLCO)
This checks how well oxygen moves from your lungs into your blood. Poor diffusion indicates damaged alveoli and ageing lungs.
6. 6-Minute Walk Test
Used widely in hospitals, this measures how far you can walk in 6 minutes while checking oxygen levels. Reduced performance signals poor lung efficiency.
Who Should Get Lung Function Tests?
Doctors recommend screening if you fall into any of these categories:
- Smokers and ex-smokers, even if you quit years ago.
- People exposed to air pollution, dust, or industrial fumes.
- Those with a history of respiratory illnesses (asthma, TB, pneumonia).
- People with family history of lung disease.
- Adults above 40 years, even if symptom-free.
- Those recovering from COVID-19 or long COVID symptoms.
Lifestyle Habits That Age Your Lungs Faster
Premature lung ageing is often preventable. The following habits contribute significantly:
- Smoking and vaping: The single largest factor damaging lungs.
- Indoor air pollution: Cooking fumes, incense sticks, mosquito coils.
- Poor fitness: Lack of exercise weakens lung capacity.
- Uncontrolled allergies/asthma: Repeated inflammation scars lung tissue.
- Exposure to toxins: Paint, chemicals, occupational hazards.
How to Keep Your Lungs Young and Healthy
Doctors emphasize that while you can’t stop ageing, you can slow down lung decline:
- Quit smoking: Even after years of smoking, quitting improves lung function.
- Exercise regularly: Aerobic activities like swimming, walking, or yoga enhance lung capacity.
- Practice breathing exercises: Pranayama, diaphragmatic breathing, and pursed-lip breathing strengthen respiratory muscles.
- Eat antioxidant-rich foods: Fruits, vegetables, nuts, and omega-3s protect lung tissue.
- Stay vaccinated: Flu and pneumonia vaccines lower infection risk.
- Monitor air quality: Use masks or purifiers in polluted environments.
- Annual check-ups: Especially important after 40 to detect early changes.
Global Concern: Premature Lung Ageing
Lung diseases are among the top 3 causes of death worldwide. In India alone, COPD and asthma account for millions of hospital visits every year. Air pollution, tobacco use, and occupational hazards continue to push lung health into crisis.
World Lung Day 2025 serves as a reminder that lungs are often ignored until damage becomes irreversible. By getting timely tests, adopting preventive habits, and recognizing symptoms early, people can significantly slow lung ageing and maintain better quality of life.
Your lungs may be ageing faster than you realize—but you don’t have to wait until breathlessness or chronic cough sets in. With simple, widely available tests like spirometry and chest scans, you can detect early signs of lung decline.
On this World Lung Day 2025, health experts urge everyone to take lung health seriously. Just like heart check-ups or cholesterol tests, lung screening should become a part of preventive healthcare, especially after 35–40 years of age.
Remember, protecting your lungs today ensures that you breathe easier, live longer, and enjoy life to the fullest tomorrow.
