05/17/2021
We are all well aware of the harmful impacts of smoking. Even cigarette packs have ‘Injurious to health’ written over them but most of us tend to ignore the warning signals and carry on with the harmful habit of smoking. Some think it makes them look cool, others do it because it helps them to relieve stress. It is important to understand that smoking is not a solution but rather a problem that will only add to your worries as time passes by. Experts from the top pulmonology hospital in Jaipur suggest that burning a cigarette leads to the release of more than 4,000 different chemicals, including nicotine and carbon monoxide. These are known to trigger abnormal DNA mutation in the cells that are responsible for causing cancer.
Smoking is a leading risk factor for a wide spectrum of diseases and ailments like diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis, stroke, and various cardiovascular ailments. Apart from these, smoking is also associated with certain eye problems, immune system conditions, and orthopaedic conditions like RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis). As per the best doctors in Jaipur, Smoking not only elevates the risks of lung cancer but also increases your chances of acquiring malignancies of the mouth, throat, larynx and oesophagus.
Let’s now talk about how smoking affects our lungs
Smoking can drastically impact your lungs and airways. It can lead to significant changes, some of which are abrupt, like colds and pneumonia, while others are gradual and take place over a long span of time, as in case of emphysema.
- Excess mucus and increased risks of infection
Smoking alters the size of mucus-producing cells present in the lungs and the airways. This naturally leads to an increase in the thickness as well as the amount of mucus produced. Normally the lungs clean out the mucus by themselves, however, if you have been smoking since long, your lungs will not be able to clean themselves efficiently. The mucus that is left behind, keeps on accumulating in the airway and obstructs it. Excess mucus also elevates the risks of infection.
- Decreased airflow
Smoking can irritate your lung tissues leading to inflammation. Even a single cigarette is enough to do the harm. Smoking gradually damages your lungs and lung tissues. As your lung tissues expand, the blood vessels are not able to carry out their function of transporting blood to various different parts of the body.
- Reduced cilia
The lining of the lungs consists of small hair-like structures called cilia. These are responsible for cleaning the lungs. Cigarette smoking slows down the movement of the cilia and this may last up to several hours at a stretch. Smoking not only slows down the function of cilia but also decreases their number.
How quitting the habit can help your lungs if you are suffering from a serious lung related condition?
Breathing problems
- Fast decline of symptoms
- Easier breathing within 2 to 3 days
- Alleviated chest discomfort
- Reduced mucus
- Lowered inflammation and irritation
- Regrowth of cilia within 9 months
- Enhancing self-cleaning and infection fighting ability of the lungs
Asthma
- Easier management of symptoms
- Better response to treatment
Infections
- Reduced vulnerability to lung infections
- Mild infections without any grave complication
Pneumonia and flu
- Alleviated risks of pneumonia, up to 50 per cent, in 5 years
- Reduced bouts of flu
- Improved response to treatment
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Alleviated symptoms
- Easy breathing
Emphysema
- Instant relief from some of the symptoms
- Slowing down of the disease
- Better response to the treatment