Medical studies indicate that lung diseases may have a greater impact on women than on men, due to a group of biological, hormonal, and environmental factors that make women’s respiratory systems more sensitive to some health risks.
The German website Apoteiken, a health information portal for pharmacists, stated that anatomical differences between the sexes play an important role in this issue, as women’s lungs are about 10% smaller on average compared to men. The area of the upper respiratory tract, that is, the space in the nose and throat through which air passes, is smaller in women by between 30 and 50%.
Data indicate that the bronchial tubes, which are the branching passages within the lungs that transport air, are also smaller in women by between 5 and 20%, which may make airflow more susceptible to infection or irritation.
Effect of hormones
Hormonal factors play an additional role in varying respiratory responses. Estrogen may increase the sensitivity of the bronchial tubes, which may explain the higher rates of asthma and respiratory allergies in women in some age groups.
Women in some areas are more vulnerable to respiratory problems due to exposure to indoor cooking smoke or air pollution, which increases the risk of developing diseases such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Greater sensitivity to pollution
Experimental studies indicate that women may be more sensitive to fine particulate pollution in the air, especially particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5), as they can accumulate in larger quantities in their respiratory tracts than men.
Medical studies published by the National Institutes of Health in the United States warn that these fine particles are linked to an increased risk of lung infections and cardiovascular disease.
Smoking and its strongest effect on women
Experts also explain that smoking may be more harmful to women. Even if they consume fewer cigarettes than men, women may develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at an earlier age, a disease that causes narrowing of the airways and difficulty breathing.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States confirms that women who smoke may be more susceptible to lung tissue damage, making smoking cessation and preventing air pollution essential factors for protecting respiratory health.
Prevention tips
Doctors recommend a number of steps to reduce the risk of lung disease, including:
- Avoid smoking and passive smoking.
- Reduce exposure to air pollution as much as possible.
- Do regular physical activity to improve lung efficiency.
- See a doctor if symptoms such as chronic cough or shortness of breath appear.
Health experts believe that understanding the biological differences between men and women helps in developing more accurate preventive and treatment strategies, which contributes to protecting everyone’s respiratory health.