A leading pulmonologist breaks down the alarming Mumbai AQI effects on your respiratory system. Learn the 5 key throat symptoms—from persistent dry cough to hoarseness—and crucial red flags indicating when to seek urgent medical help for pollution-related illness. Essential respiratory health guide for Mumbaikars.
Mumbai AQI Throat Symptoms Pulmonologist Advice
The persistent blanket of smog and dust that has characterized Mumbai’s air quality in recent times is not just an aesthetic blight; it is waging a direct, microscopic war on the city’s inhabitants, with the throat serving as the primary casualty. A leading Pulmonologist has sounded a clear warning, explaining precisely how the poor Air Quality Index (Mumbai AQI) impacts the upper respiratory tract, sharing crucial throat symptoms Mumbaikars must watch out for, and defining the moment when home care must give way to urgent medical help.
At the core of the problem are the ultra-fine air pollutants, particularly Particulate Matter (PM2.5) and toxic gases like Nitrogen Dioxide. These particles are so small they bypass the body’s natural defense filters in the nose and travel deep into the throat and airways. The pulmonologist explains that when inhaled, these pollutants act like tiny, abrasive shards, directly irritating the sensitive mucosal lining of the pharynx and larynx, triggering an immediate and sustained inflammatory response. This inflammation is the root cause of the widespread and persistent throat complaints across the metropolitan area.
While minor irritation can be managed with home remedies like salt-water gargles, steam inhalation, and hydration, the expert stresses that certain red flags necessitate an immediate consultation with a doctor, especially for vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, asthmatics, and COPD patients.
