Respiratory diseases are more common in autumn and winter. Experts remind everyone from old to young to carry out lung health care

As the fall and winter seasons approach, fluctuations in temperature and changes in air quality make the respiratory system more susceptible to illness.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common, preventable, and treatable chronic airway disease. Its main symptoms include cough, sputum production, and shortness of breath, significantly affecting patients’ quality of life and burdening healthcare systems. With COPD now included in the national basic public health service projects, local healthcare facilities are improving their service capabilities. This shift is set to change how patients seek treatment—residents can now undergo early screening for COPD at nearby community health centers and township clinics. Experts recommend that individuals over 40 and those at high risk for COPD include lung function tests in their annual health check-ups to enable early diagnosis and intervention.

Dr. Mu Xinlin, the Director of the Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Department at Peking University People’s Hospital, emphasizes the importance of self-management during the stable phase of COPD, where both patient and physician efforts are primarily focused. “Long-term use of inhalation therapy can continuously improve lung function and delay disease progression, thereby reducing the risk of exacerbations in moderate to severe patients,” he explains. Moreover, he notes that COPD is also a significant risk factor for lung cancer. “For high-risk lung cancer populations, simultaneous screening for COPD is crucial. Additionally, when conducting COPD screenings, I recommend using low-dose spiral CT for early lung cancer detection to achieve early screening, diagnosis, and treatment.”

For asthma management, a long-term approach is essential. Patients must adhere to medical advice, consistently use prescribed inhalers, and attend regular follow-ups. However, some patients may experience no improvement or even a deterioration in their condition despite intensive treatment, progressing to severe asthma. Dr. Su Nan, Director of the Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Department at Japan-China Friendship Hospital, highlights that nearly 80% of asthma patients fall into the category of severe eosinophilic asthma. “For these patients, a phenotype assessment is critical for personalized precision treatment,” she explains. “In addition to oral and inhalation medications, the advent of biologics has enriched treatment options available for these patients.”

As the seasonal transition coincides with the back-to-school period, children’s respiratory systems are frequently challenged by temperature changes, leading to functional disruptions and weakened immunity. Dr. Zhao Jing, Director of the Allergy Department at the Children’s Hospital affiliated with the Capital Institute of Pediatrics, advocates for nebulization therapy as an effective treatment method for respiratory diseases. “With a small dosage and rapid action, nebulization can directly target the organs of interest,” she says. “Parents, under medical guidance, can help their children relieve symptoms through nebulization. For children requiring long-term management of respiratory diseases, home nebulization can be considered, which is simple to operate and quick to take effect. This therapy is particularly suitable for both the elderly and the young at home.”