3 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Dec 17, 2024 04:01 AM IST
Zakir Hussain, tabla maestro, passed away on Sunday due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive lung disease characterised by scarring (fibrosis) of the lung tissue, leading to irreversible loss of lung function. (Express Archive)
As Zakir Hussain, tabla maestro and five-time Grammy Award winner, passed away on Sunday in San Francisco due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), there are concerns as to how this happens and the age group vulnerable to it.
According to Dr Deepak Bhasin, Senior Director, Pulmonology, Critical Care, Max Hospital, Mohali, “It is a chronic, progressive lung disease characterised by scarring (fibrosis) of the lung tissue, leading to irreversible loss of lung function. The exact cause of IPF is unknown, so it is termed idiopathic.” This scarring thickens and stiffens the lungs, reducing their ability to expand and take in oxygen. “Unlike many lung conditions, IPF specifically targets the interstitium, the tissue surrounding the air sacs (alveoli), making it harder for oxygen to move into the bloodstream. Over time, this leads to persistent breathlessness, fatigue, and reduced quality of life,” adds Dr Mahavir Modi, pulmonologist and sleep specialist, Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune.
The exact cause of the initial injury to lung tissue is unknown, which is why it is called “idiopathic” (meaning without a clear origin). “However, the body’s healing process plays a critical role in scarring. When the lungs experience injury — due to environmental factors like dust, smoke, or infections, or possibly even from autoimmune responses — the body attempts to repair the damaged tissue. In a healthy response, this repair is controlled and temporary. However, in IPF, this repair process becomes dysregulated, and the body overproduces collagen and other fibrous materials. Instead of normal lung tissue regenerating, excessive scar tissue forms, which progressively impairs lung function,” says Dr Modi. This abnormal healing response leads to irreversible scarring characteristic of IPF. The exact mechanism is still under research, but it is believed that genetic factors, environmental exposures, and chronic inflammation all play a role in triggering this faulty repair process.
What are symptoms?
Fibrosis causes the lungs to stiffen, making breathing harder. “Symptoms include shortness of breath (dyspnea), dry cough, fatigue, and weight loss. Over time, oxygen levels in the blood drop, causing complications such as pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, or respiratory failure,” says Dr Bhasin.
Who is at risk?
Most cases occur in people over 50 years. “IPF is slightly more common in men than women. A genetic predisposition may play a role in some cases. Current or former smokers have a higher risk. Prolonged exposure to dust, wood, or metal particles may increase the risk,” explains Dr Bhasin. “Sometimes patients of chronic GERD, who have repeated micro-aspirations of stomach acid, may suffer damage in lung tissue over time,” adds Dr Modi.
How is IPF diagnosed?
High-resolution CT scans, pulmonary function tests, and sometimes lung biopsy help confirm the diagnosis. “But it is essential to rule out other causes of lung diseases,” says Dr Bhasin.
How is the condition managed?
Antifibrotic drugs like pirfenidone and nintedanib slow the disease progression, says Dr Bhasin. This is complemented by oxygen therapy, lung exercises. “Lung transplant may be considered for advanced cases,” he says. That’s why, says Dr Modi, “
Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary care are critical.”
Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India.
Professional Profile
Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh.
Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions.
Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025)
Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture:
1. Public Health & PGIMER
"PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx.
"Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare.
"Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area.
2. Education & Institutional Governance
"Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms.
"Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking.
3. Art, Culture & Heritage
"Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status.
"Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful."
Signature Style
Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions.
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