Over 18 lakh asthma cases estimated in Telangana; construction dust, pollution among triggers

When nine-year-old Zoya collapsed midway through the sports day at her school in Hyderabad, her parents assumed it was a passing allergy. But in the weeks that followed, her breathlessness persisted and she was diagnosed with asthma, joining the growing number of urban children across Telangana affected by this chronic respiratory condition.

What are asthma symptoms?

Asthma is a chronic condition where inflamed and narrowed airways make breathing difficult. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath, which often worsen during the night or early morning. While the exact cause of asthma is not fully understood, a combination of genetics, environmental factors, and diet is believed to contribute. 

It’s common but treatable: busting myths around asthma and its treatment

18 lakh people estimated to have asthma

On the occasion of World Asthma Day 2025, pulmonologists across the State are sounding the alarm over an increase in asthma cases, particularly in tier-I and II cities like Hyderabad, Warangal, and Karimnagar. According to estimates, over 18 lakh people in Telangana are living with asthma, with children and women being the most vulnerable groups, doctors said.

“Changing lifestyles and worsening air quality have made asthma more common than ever before. In India, between 5 to 15 out of every 100 children under 11 suffer from asthma,” says Subhakar Nadella, consultant pulmonologist at KIMS Hospitals, Kondapur.

Key triggers

Doctors say urbanisation, construction dust, pollen-heavy landscaping, and faspollution are key triggers. “Poor air quality is worsening asthma symptoms across all age groups in urban areas,” explains Chandrakant Tarke, senior pulmonologist at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad. 

Despite the rise in cases, asthma remains heavily misunderstood. “Asthma is not just a seasonal allergy. It requires consistent management, not just temporary relief,” Dr. Chandrakant says. 

At Medicover Hospitals across Telangana, doctors are offering custom asthma care plans, digital follow-ups, and community awareness drives. “We’ve seen a significant drop in emergency visits and school absenteeism among children because of our preventive approach,” says Dr. Raghukanth, senior pulmonologist at Medicover. However, he warns that cultural stigma remains a hurdle: “Many still see inhalers as a sign of weakness or dependency, but the reality is quite the opposite. Inhalers are the safest and most effective way to manage asthma.”