The effect of the poison present in Delhi’s air is now clearly visible in the figures. The number of people dying from respiratory diseases is increasing year after year. This is not a rumor, but a bitter truth from the official document of Delhi Government. This data has been given very clearly in Chapter IV of Vital Statistics recorded in the Delhi Statistical Handbook 2025 of the Directorate of Economics and Statistics that respiratory diseases have been kept in a separate category in the breakdown of medically certified deaths and seeing the trend of the last four years, anyone’s heart can tremble.

Know when how many deaths occurred?

In 2024, 9,211 deaths were recorded due to respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia or other lung-related problems. This is about 4.7% more than 8,801 in 2023, and 24% more than 7,432 in 2022. At the same time, the most shocking figure is of 2021, that year the second wave of Covid-19 created havoc in the country and respiratory deaths reached 14,442. Although there was some relief after the pandemic, but now this figure is increasing again, which clearly shows that there are still major shortcomings in Delhi’s air quality and health system.

What is the government data telling?

The data released by the office of the Chief Registrar (Births & Deaths) is based on registrations collected from MCD, NDMC and other bodies. If we look at the share of respiratory in total medically certified deaths, it is about 10% of the total 90,883 certified deaths in 2024, whereas in 2021 it was 14.6%. However, if we talk about total deaths (certified + non-certified), a total of 1,39,480 deaths were recorded in Delhi in 2024, out of which 85,391 were men, 54,051 were women and 38 were others.

Most deaths occur due to this

Now if we compare it with other reasons, the picture becomes clearer. Circulatory diseases (like heart attack, stroke) are still the biggest killer. There were 21,262 deaths due to circulatory diseases in 2024, which was 35 percent more than 15,714 in 2023. There has been a decline in infections and parasitic diseases. These diseases were the cause of 16,060 deaths in 2024, while in 2023, 20,781 people lost their lives due to these diseases. 5,960 people died due to neoplasm diseases like cancer, 5,200 due to digestive diseases and 33,190 due to other reasons. Overall, certified deaths reached 90,883 in 2024, up from 88,628 in 2023. This trend shows that infectious diseases are being controlled. At the same time, respiratory and circulatory problems are increasing and factors like pollution, lifestyle and aging population can also be behind this.

How is the situation in Delhi?

Every year during November-December in Delhi, AQI crosses 400-500 and particles like PM2.5 irritate the lungs. Health experts have been warning for a long time that chronic respiratory problems are increasing in Delhi, especially among children and the elderly. These figures on respiratory deaths are a wake-up call for policy makers. According to experts, the government should further strengthen the Pollution Control Board, increase green corridors and also upgrade respiratory units in hospitals. Otherwise, this number will keep rising further and the breath of Delhiites will become shorter and shorter.

Also read: Direct effect of lack of sunlight on bones, be careful if you see these symptoms

Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

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In many cities including Delhi-NCR, the impact of increasing pollution and cold has deeply hurt the health of the people. The situation is such that patients suffering from diseases like asthma, bronchitis and COPD are increasing rapidly and its direct impact is visible on the sales of medicines. According to a recently published report, the sales of respiratory medicines will cross Rs 1950 crore in December 2025, which is the highest in the last three years.

Pollution and cold increased the business of medicines

According to media reports, the sales of respiratory medicines in December 2025 were 10 percent more than December 2024 and 18 percent more than December 2023. Between October and December, when pollution is at its peak, sales recorded an increase of 14 percent compared to 2024 and 8 percent compared to 2023. Anti-asthma and COPD medicines were a major part of this increase.

Risk increases with increasing age

Talking to the team of ABP Live, Dr. Arun, Senior Consultant of Respiratory Diseases at Artemis Hospitals, says that diseases like asthma are generally seen more in people above 50 years of age. Due to high muscle strength in childhood, the situation gets controlled, but with increasing age, muscle strength decreases and problems start increasing. Due to weak immunity, the problem becomes more serious due to changing weather, cold and pollution.

The young generation is also vulnerable

According to Dr. Arun, the problem which was earlier limited to the elderly, has now started appearing in the younger generation as well. Smoking habits are increasing in both males and females. This year the level of pollution is higher and the cold is also more, due to which an increase of about 10 to 15 percent has been seen in respiratory diseases.

Dangerous combination of Delhi air and cigarette

It has been told in many researches and articles that if a person smokes one pack of cigarettes a day, then breathing the air of Delhi is equivalent to smoking 7 to 8 cigarettes. That is, if the same person breathes polluted air after smoking a packet of cigarettes, then the effect is not equal to 17 but about 70 cigarettes. After the age of 50, lung function decreases and smoking damages it at twice the rate.

Children, pregnant women and the elderly are most affected.

Like every year, this time too children, pregnant women and senior citizens have been affected the most. A new thing that has come to light this year is that the number of youth has also increased rapidly, who are reaching the hospital with respiratory problems.

Doctors’ advice for asthma patients

According to doctors, people who have asthma should stay away from cold and polluted areas for 3 to 4 months in winter. It is beneficial to go to relatively clean and warm areas like Goa, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Those who cannot go out for long periods of time are advised to wear masks regularly, exercise at home and do light physical activity in the park between 4 and 5 pm in the evening.

Negligence in diet and medicine can prove costly

According to doctors, it is very important to eat antioxidants like dry fruits, salads and drink enough water. There should not be a gap in medicines, because medical stores close early in winter and an emergency situation can arise if your health suddenly deteriorates at night or in the morning.

There is also a risk of bronchitis, heart attack and stroke

Due to pollution and cold, cases of bronchitis have increased rapidly, in which the respiratory tract gets swollen and more mucus starts forming. Due to increase in humidity in the air, the virus spreads quickly and there is a risk of infection from one person to the entire family. In this season, cases of skin problems, stroke and heart attack also increase, because physical activities reduce and the possibility of clot formation increases.

What do chemists say?

Robin Sharma, owner of the famous Empire Chemist Shop in Dwarka, says that the sales at his 25-year-old shop have increased by about 30 percent in 2025 as compared to the last two years. Small children, youth and the elderly are all involved in this. This time, there have been more cases of fever along with shortness of breath and many patients have to take medicine for 15 to 20 days.

These medicines are in highest demand

According to Robin Sharma, Actolin, Seroflo and Aerocot inhalers have been sold the most. The demand for Budacort and Dualin Respules, Montek LC and Acebrohyaline has also increased rapidly. There has been a huge increase in the consumption of not only respiratory medicines, but also antibiotics and children’s syrups.

It is dangerous to take medicine on your own

Both chemists and doctors insist that medicines are not toffee or chocolate. Taking medicine without doctor’s advice can be harmful. Even if the disease is the same, each member of the family needs different tests and medicines. There is a risk of side effects by taking the medicine for a long time, hence the time and quantity prescribed by the doctor should be followed only.

Responsibility of both government and citizens

Experts say that controlling pollution is not only the responsibility of the government but of every citizen. Planting trees at home, carpooling, reducing the use of non-essential electric appliances and getting children into the habit of planting trees can be small but effective steps. The need of the hour is to promote no-combustion zones and electric vehicles around schools and hospitals.

If your health is not good then your income is useless.

The doctors’ warning is clear that if action is not taken now, the money we are trying to earn will be spent on treatment. Maintaining hydration in winter, going to the park at the right time and regular use of mask is the biggest protection. In the end, more than medicines, only your caution and vigilance can keep you safe.

Also read: Are you sleeping more than necessary? This could be a serious problem, expert warned

Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

Check out below Health Tools-
Calculate Your Body Mass Index (BMI)

Calculate The Age Through Age Calculator