Lung diseases: How do they affect men and women differently?
How the conditions affect men and women differently
The burden of respiratory disease in India is only second to that of ischaemic heart disease. Data suggests that about 33.6 per cent of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is caused by ambient air pollution, 25.8 per cent by household air pollution and 21 per cent by smoking. While these risk factors can cause lung-related problems in both men and women, the latter are more prone to respiratory disorders as compared to men due to several biological and other factors.
How common is lung diseases in women
Different studies carried out to understand the connection between lung disorder and gender reveal that men and women are affected by it in different ways. Women are more likely to have chronic lung disease, even if globally about 40% of men smoke as compared with nearly 9% of women, says WHO.
Lung issues are more prevalent in younger women under 55 years of age. Moreover, older women are at higher risk of asthma. Occurence of shortness of breath tends to be higher in women with chronic lung diseases. Shortness of breath tends to increase faster in women with chronic lung diseases and they also have lower mucus production rates than men with COPD.
Studies carried out to understand how lung disease affects men and women has not yet been able to point out the exact cause. As per a theory, the difference in lung size in men and women plays an important part in developing lung-related complications and symptoms. An adult women’s lung volume is about 10 per cent smaller than that of men of the same height and age. The airways of women are narrower than men.
Another theory suggests that the different levels of hormones like estrogen and testosterone could also have a role to play.
Talking about the prevalence of the condition Dr Nimish Shah, Consultant Pulmonologist, Jaslok Hospital said, "Lung conditions are similar for both men and women, however, certain conditions have a sex predisposition like Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) and Bio-mass fuel-related exposure may lead to lung diseases and lung cancer."
How hormones can put women at risk of lung diseases
Discussing the connection between women's hormones and lung disorder Dr Danny Laliwalla, High-risk pregnancy & infertility expert, at Jaslok Hospital said that "There is no direct evidence to suggest that female hormones (estrogen and progesterone) have any direct role in the development and progression of lung diseases, nor is there any direct association that women may be more prone to lung diseases than men. But there are certain studies done that support it."
He explained that diseases like cystic fibrosis and idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension are more common in women than in men. Besides, women are more prone to early-onset COPD and more sensitive to smoking injuries.
Talking about the role of female hormones Dr Laliwalla said that "Estrogen and progesterone lead to deleterious effects on the lungs, though estrogen plays more role in the lung injury by producing an inflammatory response in the lungs. This effect is aggravated in women who smoke (compared to men)."
Additionally, the male hormone, testosterone has shown to have a slightly better effect on the lungs and airways, making men less vulnerable than women to lung injuries.
Tips to maintain the lung health
It is hard to predict who develops lung related conditions. Men and women both are at risk, so it is necessary to take care of your lung health from an early age. Here are a few things you can do to protect yourself from chronic lung related conditions.
Avoid smoking
Exercise regularly
Reduce exposure to pollutant
Practice breathing exercises
Eat healthy and nutritious food