Haze and Lung Health: Changes In Breathing Signs To Watch For

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- Reduced feeding in babies and unusual breathlessness in older adults during routine activities may be early signs that the haze is affecting their lungs, according to two medical specialists.

Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City (SMC) Consultant Physician, Respiratory Physician and Interventional Pulmonologist Dr Syed Ajmal Syed Ali said families should watch for changes in a person’s breathing during routine activities when air quality deteriorates.

“People often expect haze-related breathing problems to be obvious, but the earliest warning signs can be subtle, especially for vulnerable adults or older people,” he said in a statement.

He said other signs to watch for in older adults include increased coughing or phlegm, wheezing and chest tightness.

Dr Syed Ajmal advised seeking medical attention if breathlessness, coughing or wheezing worsened, or if the usual medication no longer provided adequate relief.

Explaining how haze affects the lungs, Dr Syed Ajmal said fine particles known as PM2.5 could penetrate deep into the respiratory tract, reaching the smaller airways and air sacs, where they could trigger inflammation and increase mucus production.

If going outdoors was unavoidable, Dr Syed Ajmal recommended wearing a properly fitted N95 or KN95 mask.

Meanwhile, SMC Consultant Paediatrician and Paediatric Respiratory Physician Dr Noor Zehan Abdul Rahim said coughing and nasal congestion in babies and young children could progress to breathing or feeding difficulties.

She said a baby who becomes unusually irritable or drank less because of a blocked nose might already be showing early signs of respiratory distress.

“Don’t wait until a child is visibly struggling to breathe before seeking help,” she said, advising parents to seek medical attention if a child’s cough or congestion began interfering with breathing or feeding.

Dr Noor Zehan also cautioned against using essential oils as a haze remedy, as they did not remove pollutants from the air and could introduce additional substances into the indoor environment.

Both specialists stressed that while air-quality readings could help families decide when to reduce exposure, changes in symptoms were equally important to monitor.

They noted that older adults were particularly vulnerable because ageing reduced lung capacity and the ability to clear inhaled particles, while children’s smaller airways and developing lungs made them more susceptible to breathing difficulties.

Both specialists also cautioned that people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) could experience flare-ups when exposed to polluted air, even if their conditions were well controlled.

To limit exposure, both doctors recommended staying indoors as much as possible and avoiding strenuous outdoor activities, while remaining active through indoor play for children and light indoor movement for older adults.

They added that families should keep windows and doors closed when outdoor air quality deteriorates and regularly maintain air-conditioning and air-purifier filters, noting that air purifiers that filter fine particles could help reduce exposure.

Dr Syed Ajmal advised patients to continue taking prescribed medication and keep reliever inhalers accessible, while Dr Noor Zehan urged parents to be fully familiar with their child’s asthma action plan.

-- BERNAMA