India, Oct. 31 -- Air pollution has turned winter into the season of smog, and some people experience a worsening cough, throat irritation, wheezing, or breathing discomfort in the evening and at night.

Dr Vikas Mittal, director, department of pulmonology at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, told HT Lifestyle that this can result from a combination of air pollution, changing weather conditions, and underlying respiratory sensitivity. However, he did note that the symptoms do not necessarily worsen after sunset in everyone, and their timing alone cannot establish the cause.

In the words of Dr Mittal, "Fine particulate matter, particularly PM2.5, can penetrate deep into the respiratory system, irritating the airways and triggering inflammation. E...