Smoking is one of the deadliest habits that millions of people around the world are addicted to. The use of tobacco products has caused a lot of health hazards to the users whereby smokers have been known to suffer from different kinds of diseases.

One of the most affected body organs when it comes to smoking is the lungs. Smokers stand a much higher chance of developing lung cancer compared to non-smokers. The consequences of smoking on lung health are enormous and everyone who is considering starting smoking should be aware of these dangers.

In this article, we will delve into the dangers of smoking on lung health and why smoking is such a deadly habit.

What happens when you smoke?

Before discussing the dangers of smoking on lung health, it is important to understand what happens when you smoke. When you inhale smoke from a cigarette or any other tobacco product, it contains different chemicals that go directly into your lungs.

The chemicals stick to the inside lining of the lungs making it difficult for air to flow in and out.

Moreover, the smoke that is exhaled contains over 7,000 chemicals most of which are toxic. The chemicals include carbon monoxide, tar, arsenic, benzene, formaldehyde, ammonia, and hydrogen cyanide among others.

The body tries to protect itself from these chemicals by producing mucus. However, when you smoke, the mucus production increases making it hard for the lungs to clean out irritants and toxins. This results in inflammation and ultimately leads to lung diseases.

What are the dangers of smoking on lung health?

Smoking is responsible for several lung diseases and disorders. Some of the dangers of smoking on lung health include:.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer caused by smoking. Tobacco smoke is a powerful carcinogen which causes mutations in the cells that line the lungs.

The mutations cause the cells to grow uncontrollably leading to the formation of cancerous tumors in the lungs. It is estimated that smoking causes more than 85% of all lung cancer cases. Furthermore, smokers not only risk their own lives but also put other people’s lives in danger through second-hand smoke.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

COPD is a group of lung diseases which cause difficulty in breathing. The most common types of COPD are chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Smoking is the leading cause of COPD and it damages the air sacs and airways in the lungs.

The damage causes the air sacs to lose their elasticity resulting in shortness of breath and wheezing.

Asthma

Asthma is also a respiratory disease that is characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways. Smoking triggers asthma attacks and causes damage to the airways which can lead to long-term lung damage.

In addition, people with asthma who smoke are more likely to have severe symptoms compared to non-smokers with asthma.

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Pulmonary fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition whereby the lung tissue becomes damaged resulting in the formation of scars. Smoking can cause this condition by damaging the air sacs and causing inflammation in the lungs.

The condition makes it harder for oxygen to get into the bloodstream and can lead to respiratory failure.

Pneumonia

Smoking makes the body susceptible to infections such as pneumonia. The smoke damages the delicate lining of the lungs which makes it easy for bacteria and viruses to invade the lungs.

Consequently, smokers are more likely to suffer from respiratory infections compared to non-smokers.

Cancer of the throat and mouth

Smoking also increases the risk of cancer of the throat and mouth. The chemicals in the smoke cause DNA mutations in the cells lining the mouth and throat.

This leads to the formation of precancerous cells which if not detected early can result in cancer.

Increased risk of heart disease and stroke

Smoking affects not only the lungs but also the cardiovascular system. It increases the risk of heart disease and stroke by damaging the blood vessels and arteries. Smoking also increases the amount of bad cholesterol (LDL) in the blood.

Consequently, smokers are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases than non-smokers.

Chronic cough and phlegm production

Smokers are more likely to have chronic coughs and produce more mucus than non-smokers. The mucus production is caused by the body’s effort to eliminate the toxins and irritants found in tobacco smoke.

The chronic cough and phlegm production can be uncomfortable and embarrassing for smokers.

Reduced lung function

Smoking reduces lung function by damaging the lung tissue and making it less elastic. The reduced lung function leads to reduced lung capacity making it harder for smokers to exercise or perform simple tasks like climbing stairs.

Conclusion

Smoking has several dangers on lung health as we have seen. The health consequences of smoking start right from the first cigarette and they get worse over time.

It is never too late to quit smoking and doing so can make a huge difference to your lung health and overall wellbeing. Consider seeking help and support to quit smoking and reduce your risk of developing lung diseases and other health complications in the future.