Australian Polyclinic · Lung health guide
Common causes of lung disease in Lahore
Persistent cough, wheeze or breathlessness? Learn about the conditions and exposures that can affect your lungs—and when to seek assessment.
Medically reviewed and approved by Dr G Sarwar Chaudhry, MBBS, FRACP (Australia), FCCP (USA)
— Consultant Pulmonologist, Sleep Physician and Allergy Specialist.
Last reviewed: .
A useful starting point
Lung symptoms can have several causes
Lung disease includes conditions affecting the airways, air sacs, lung tissue and the lining around the lungs. Some develop suddenly, such as pneumonia; others evolve over years, such as COPD. More than one condition can be present at the same time.
In Lahore, air pollution, tobacco smoke and dust exposure deserve attention. However, a cough or breathing problem should not automatically be labelled as “just smog.” Symptoms, exposure history, examination and appropriate tests help identify the cause.
Cough is a symptom, not a diagnosis
Nasal allergy, reflux, some medicines and conditions outside the lungs can also contribute to cough or breathlessness. Our persistent cough guide explains the wider assessment.
Understand the possibilities
Common lung conditions and other important diagnoses
Asthma
Asthma involves inflammation and narrowing of the airways. Cough, wheeze, chest tightness and breathlessness may come and go, with symptoms at night or after exercise. Allergens, smoke and infections can trigger symptoms.[1]
Assessment and suitable inhaled treatment can help control symptoms. Read our asthma guide or explore asthma care in Lahore.
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease causes persistent airflow obstruction. Clues include gradually increasing breathlessness, chronic cough, sputum and repeated flare-ups. Smoking is an important risk factor, but household smoke and workplace exposures also matter; COPD can occur in people who have never smoked.[2]
Spirometry is needed to confirm airflow obstruction in the appropriate clinical context. Read our COPD symptoms, diagnosis and treatment guide.
Respiratory infections
Viral illnesses can cause cough and worsen existing lung disease. Pneumonia may cause fever, cough, chest pain and breathlessness, although symptoms vary. A worsening illness needs assessment, especially in older adults or people with other medical conditions.
Antibiotics are not routinely recommended for uncomplicated acute bronchitis. Yellow or green sputum alone does not prove a bacterial infection.[3]
Tuberculosis (TB)
TB is an airborne bacterial infection that commonly affects the lungs. A prolonged cough, fever, night sweats, weight loss or blood in the sputum should prompt assessment, particularly with a known exposure. Symptoms can sometimes be mild.[4]
Evaluation may include chest imaging and sputum-based molecular testing. TB requires a specific treatment course; repeated ordinary antibiotics or cough mixtures are not an adequate substitute.
Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis involves damaged, widened airways that have difficulty clearing mucus. Daily sputum, recurrent chest infections or coughing blood can be clues. Previous infections and several other conditions can contribute.[5]
Diagnosis usually involves a CT scan alongside clinical findings. Management may include airway-clearance techniques and targeted treatment of infections.[6]
Interstitial lung disease
This group of conditions affects the lung tissue and may cause inflammation or scarring. A persistent dry cough and progressive breathlessness can be clues. Causes include some environmental exposures, medicines and autoimmune conditions; sometimes the cause is unknown.[7]
Specialist assessment, imaging and lung-function tests help distinguish the different types and guide treatment.
Lung cancer and other serious conditions
A new or changing cough, unexplained weight loss, persistent chest pain or blood in the sputum needs timely investigation. Lung cancer can occur in people who have never smoked.[8] Sudden breathlessness may have an urgent cause, such as a collapsed lung or a blood clot. Seek emergency care for sudden or severe symptoms.
Exposures that can increase risk or worsen symptoms
Smog & outdoor pollution
Fine particles and harmful gases can affect respiratory health and worsen existing disease. Traffic, industry, dust and burning contribute to Lahore's pollution.[9] See our Lahore smog and protection guide.
Dust mites, pollen, mould and animal allergens can aggravate asthma in sensitised people. If you also have sneezing, itching or nasal blockage, read our allergic rhinitis guide. Allergy tests are selected and interpreted alongside your symptoms; they do not diagnose every lung condition.
Know when to act
When should you seek medical help?
Seek emergency care now for severe symptoms
Severe or rapidly worsening breathing difficulty, inability to speak comfortably because of breathlessness, blue or grey lips, confusion, collapse, severe chest pain or significant coughing of blood needs emergency assessment. Do not wait for a routine clinic appointment or WhatsApp reply.
Arrange a timely medical review for:
- A cough lasting several weeks, repeatedly returning or changing from your usual pattern.
- Breathlessness with ordinary activities, persistent wheeze or sleep disturbed by breathing symptoms.
- Any blood in the sputum, even if the amount is small.
- Persistent fever, night sweats, unexplained weight loss or recurrent chest infections.
- An abnormal chest X-ray or symptoms that are not improving with treatment.
Children, older adults, pregnant people and those with immune suppression or established heart or lung disease may need earlier assessment.
How is the cause investigated?
Your pulmonologist begins with the symptom pattern, examination, medical history and exposures. Bring previous chest images or reports, prescriptions and your inhaler devices. A record of when symptoms occur can also help.
| Investigation | What it can help assess |
|---|---|
| Spirometry | Airflow obstruction and the response to a bronchodilator when appropriate. It helps evaluate asthma and confirm COPD. |
| Complete pulmonary function tests | Airflow, lung volumes and gas transfer when a more detailed assessment of lung function is needed. |
| Chest X-ray or CT | Infection, structural changes, scarring, pleural disease or a suspected lung lesion. CT is selected for a specific clinical question. |
| Sputum or other laboratory tests | Possible infection, including TB, or other findings relevant to the clinical history. |
| Skin prick allergy testing | Relevant allergen sensitisation when the history suggests an allergic contribution. |
Australian Polyclinic provides respiratory consultations, lung-function testing and skin prick allergy testing. Imaging, blood tests, sputum testing and hospital procedures are arranged through appropriate services when required.
No single test rules out every lung disease
A normal chest X-ray does not exclude asthma, and lung-function tests do not replace imaging or infection testing when those are indicated. Your doctor selects investigations to answer your particular clinical question.
Practical ways to protect your lungs
- Avoid tobacco smoke. Ask for help to stop smoking or shisha use and keep the home and car smoke-free. Counselling and suitable medicines can support quitting.[10]
- Plan around poor air quality. Check local air-quality information and reduce outdoor exertion when pollution is high. Move exercise to a cleaner indoor setting where possible.
- Use a suitable respirator when needed. A well-fitting N95 or equivalent particulate respirator can reduce inhalation of fine particles. Cloth and ordinary surgical masks offer less protection against pollution; particulate respirators do not filter harmful gases.[13]
- Reduce indoor pollution. Limit smoke and burning indoors, address damp or mould, and ventilate when outdoor air is cleaner. A correctly sized HEPA air cleaner may reduce airborne particles; it does not remove every pollutant. Avoid ozone-generating devices.[14]
- Review vaccines and infection precautions. Discuss influenza, COVID-19 and pneumococcal vaccination according to your age, health and local recommendations. Seek advice about TB exposure or persistent infection symptoms.
- Follow your treatment plan. Check inhaler technique and attend follow-up. Persistent symptoms need review rather than repeated self-treatment with antibiotics, steroid tablets or cough syrups.
- Control workplace exposure. Dust suppression, ventilation and suitable protective equipment should be part of a workplace protection plan.[11]
A humidifier is not an air purifier
A humidifier adds moisture; it does not filter smog particles. Excess humidity can encourage mould and dust mites, and poorly maintained units can disperse contaminants. Use one only when needed for dry-air symptoms and maintain it carefully.[15]
Frequently asked questions
Can Lahore smog cause lung disease?
Air pollution can contribute to lung disease and worsen existing respiratory conditions. Persistent cough or breathlessness still needs assessment because other causes may be present.
Can I develop COPD if I have never smoked?
Yes. Household smoke, workplace exposures, early-life factors and some genetic conditions can contribute. Diagnosis requires appropriate clinical assessment and spirometry.
Does every persistent cough mean TB?
No. Asthma, nasal disease, reflux and other conditions can cause cough. A prolonged cough with fever, night sweats, weight loss, blood in the sputum or TB exposure needs timely assessment.
Do I need antibiotics for yellow or green sputum?
Not automatically. Sputum colour alone does not establish a bacterial infection. A clinician considers the overall illness and whether a specific antibiotic indication is present.
Which tests might I need?
Depending on your symptoms, tests may include spirometry, complete pulmonary function tests, imaging, sputum studies or targeted allergy testing. Not everyone needs all of these.
Will a humidifier protect me from smog?
No. A humidifier adds moisture and does not filter pollution. A suitable HEPA air cleaner can reduce particles, alongside controlling indoor pollution sources.
Where can I arrange a lung consultation in Lahore?
Consult Dr G Sarwar Chaudhry at Australian Polyclinic, First Floor, Building 19, CCA, DHA Phase 5, Lahore. Call or WhatsApp 0311 0573333 to request an appointment.
Respiratory care · DHA Phase 5
Understand your symptoms and the next step
Consult Dr G Sarwar Chaudhry for persistent cough, wheeze, breathlessness or recurrent chest infections. Our pulmonology service explains the conditions assessed and how to prepare for your visit.
First Floor, Building 19, CCA, DHA Phase 5, Lahore
Phone: 0311 0573333
Clinic: Monday–Saturday, 2:00–9:00 PM · Dr Sarwar: 4:00–8:00 PM · Sunday closed.
Please confirm availability. Routine booking messages are not an emergency service.
Explore our related patient guides
References and further reading
- WHO: Asthma
- WHO: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- CDC: Adult outpatient antibiotic prescribing guidance
- WHO: Tuberculosis
- NHLBI: Bronchiectasis
- NHLBI: Bronchiectasis diagnosis and treatment
- NHLBI: Interstitial lung diseases
- WHO: Lung cancer
- WHO: Ambient air pollution and health
- WHO: Tobacco and nicotine
- CDC/NIOSH: Silica and worker health
- CDC/NIOSH: Work-related asthma
- CDC/NIOSH: Community respirators and masks
- EPA: Guide to air cleaners in the home
- EPA: Use and care of home humidifiers
General patient education. Individual diagnosis and treatment require clinical assessment. Do not start, stop or change prescribed medicines solely on the basis of this article.