Smoking is harmful to the body and the negative effects begin from the first cigarette smoked. Toxins, carcinogens, resins and soot particles affect the state of internal organs and their functionality.
One of the first affected is the respiratory system, in which numerous destructive and sometimes irreversible processes occur when smoking.
Exposure to cigarette smoke
Cigarette smoke is harmful primarily due to the presence of many harmful substances in its composition, which, when entering the body, are transported through the bloodstream to all systems and organs. Smoking has the most aggressive effect on the respiratory system, since the ingestion of toxins occurs during the respiratory process. Smoke enters the system directly, passing through the upper and lower respiratory tract, where some of the substances are deposited on the mucous membranes, causing inflammatory processes.
Numerous chemical compounds present in cigarette smoke cause a large number of reactions in the respiratory system. Smoking damages the epithelial cilia of the lungs, which causes insufficient cleansing of the organ. In addition, constant inflammatory processes in the lungs provoke the growth of connective tissue, which gradually replaces healthy lung tissue. This leads to deformation of the airways and their narrowing.
Due to the fact that the respiratory alveoli are clogged with tar, the oxygen saturation in the blood is disturbed. Lack of oxygen can cause dizziness and fainting.
Effects of active smoking on the trachea and larynx.
The harmful effects of tobacco on the respiratory system begin with one puff. Hot cigarette smoke enters the larynx and trachea and burns the mucous membranes. Solid particles of soot and tar settle on the mucosa, irritating it. This causes inflammation, which in heavy smokers becomes chronic.
One of the notable manifestations of the influence of tobacco smoke on the respiratory system is a hoarse, hoarse voice, which is called "smoky. "The change in timbre is caused by the constant irritation of the vocal cords, which swell, become covered with ulcers and erosions.
In addition, smoking negatively affects local immunity, which leads to frequent infectious diseases (including the oral cavity and nasopharynx).
Effect on the bronchi
When smoke enters your bronchi while smoking, it irritates your mucous membranes. This leads to the development of the inflammatory process and gradual atrophy of the mucosa of the bronchial tree. As a result, the bronchi stop functioning normally and the production of secretion is disturbed, which performs a moisturizing and cleansing function.
Additionally, the effect of smoking on the respiratory system is that the bronchial lumen through which air passes during inhalation and exhalation narrows. And this causes difficulty breathing.
Diseases of the respiratory system characteristic of smokers.
Both the upper and lower parts of the respiratory system suffer the negative effects of tobacco. The upper respiratory tract not only receives a large amount of poisons, but also suffers from the temperature shock caused by hot smoke. As a result, diseases such as:
- sinusitis is an inflammatory process of the mucous membranes of the nasal sinuses;
- sinusitis - inflammation of the maxillary sinuses;
- rhinitis – inflammation of the nasal mucosa;
- impairment of the sense of smell - occurs due to damage to the receptors;
- laryngitis, tracheitis: inflammation of the larynx and trachea.
Due to the deterioration of the functionality of epithelial cilia, sputum stagnates in the lungs. This, along with obstruction of the bronchi, causes difficulty breathing when smoking and especially after smoking. In some cases, a person finds it difficult to breathe, wheezing and whistling are heard when inhaling and exhaling.
In the lower part of the respiratory system, smoking provokes the development of the following pathologies:
- pleurisy – inflammation of the serous membrane of the lungs;
- Pneumonia is a viral disease that affects the lung tissue and alveoli;
- tuberculosis is an infectious disease that often occurs against the background of weakened immunity;
- pneumosclerosis - an inflammatory process accompanied by the replacement of lung tissue by connective tissue incapable of exchanging air;
- lung abscess - inflammation of the lung tissue with the release of pus, which can lead to tissue necrosis;
- pulmonary failure – characterized by a critical decrease in the oxygen content in the blood;
- emphysema;
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
- lung cancer.
Important! Any breathing problem or pain in the lungs requires immediate medical attention.
What are the causes of respiratory problems?
The effect of smoking on the respiratory system, among other things, is expressed in the alteration of the normal functioning of the blood vessels located on the entire surface of the lungs. The vessels undergo regular spasms, become less elastic and fragile. This leads to a deterioration in the functioning of the alveoli, which means that it affects the gas exchange process.
In addition, resins and toxins accumulate in the tissues, which also complicate the functioning of the respiratory system. This explains the fact that after smoking a person develops respiratory failure and finds it difficult to breathe.
Characteristics of smoker's bronchitis.
Smokers gradually develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This is an inflammatory process caused by tobacco smoke, during which a strong narrowing of the bronchi occurs at the site of inflammation, which alters air flow. The bronchial lumen gradually fills with viscous mucus, which further complicates the ventilation of lung tissue.
Main symptoms of COPD:
- coughing attacks in the morning;
- dyspnoea;
- signs of chronic hypoxia (headache, dizziness, nausea, increased excitability, arrhythmia, pale skin).
At first, the cough is dry and choking, but as the number of cigarettes smoked increases, the disease progresses. The cough becomes wet with a large amount of sputum that is difficult to separate.
Respiratory problems in former smokers
Regular smoking is the reason why the body does not have time to eliminate harmful substances. Toxins and tars accumulate in the respiratory system. To cleanse your lungs, you will need a lot of time and completely quit smoking.
Immediately after a smoker quits, breathing problems may worsen. Difficulty breathing often occurs. There are several reasons for this, the main of which is a sudden change in the operating conditions of the body. Sudden withdrawal from nicotine and other substances is stressful for the body, which has already adapted to their constant presence. The removal of tars and toxins from the lungs and bronchi can also cause difficulty breathing.
Attention! When quitting smoking, it is difficult to avoid unpleasant symptoms, but if the adaptation process is very difficult and is accompanied by a deterioration in well-being, it is worth consulting a doctor.
Withdrawal symptoms
Experienced smokers may experience withdrawal symptoms after quitting a bad habit. This is a normal reaction of the body to the lack of nicotine and other substances. The most popular complaint is: "I stopped smoking and it became difficult to breathe. "
But the withdrawal symptoms are quite extensive:
- weakness, fatigue;
- headache;
- appetite disorders;
- nausea;
- cough;
- arrhythmia;
- disturbance of the gastrointestinal tract;
- pressure changes.
Very often, after quitting smoking, people experience shortness of breath. Symptoms can occur in different combinations.
Important! In most cases, the condition improves within 1 to 2 weeks.
Therapy methods
Treatment is developed for each case individually. The age, sex and health status of the patient are taken into account. The severity of symptoms and available contraindications.
Medicine
To treat the human respiratory system from the effects of smoking, the following groups of drugs are used:
- expectorants;
- herbal sedatives to reduce nervousness and irritability (motherwort);
- Nicotine replacement medications: to reduce the desire to smoke.
Attention! Medications can only be taken after consulting a doctor.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapeutic procedures are carried out in a hospital under the supervision of a doctor. The following have a good effect on quitting smoking:
- massage therapy;
- electrophoresis;
- ultraviolet irradiation of the interscapular and neck areas;
- UHF therapy.
Physiotherapeutic methods help to normalize breathing and improve the functioning of the bronchi and lungs.
Breathing exercises
Special breathing exercises will help significantly reduce the damage caused to the respiratory system by smoking. The great advantage of this method is that it has practically no limitations. Gymnastics can be practiced at any age, regardless of existing diseases.
Basic exercises are a specific breathing system (for example, inhale quickly and exhale slowly), to which movements are added (for example, contracting and protruding the stomach or lifting and tensing, then lowering and relaxing the shoulders). Gymnastics is performed twice a day, repeating the exercises 10 to 15 times.
What should you not do if you have difficulty breathing?
If you have difficulty breathing, it is very dangerous to smoke or even just breathe in tobacco smoke. If a person begins to choke during physical activity, they should stop exercising immediately and breathe calmly for 10 minutes.
Emotional stress can cause difficulty breathing. It is advisable to avoid stressful situations.
How long does shortness of breath last after quitting smoking?
Restoring the respiratory system after smoking is a very individual process. Its duration depends on many factors, including the smoker's age and health, smoking experience, and body characteristics.
Most of the time, shortness of breath occurs during the first 7 to 15 days after quitting smoking. On average, it takes 3 to 8 months to fully restore lung function.
Will your lungs clear up if you quit a bad habit?
If you completely stop smoking, within a few days you will notice an improvement in your respiratory condition. Breathing will gradually normalize, bad breath and shortness of breath will disappear, and cough will disappear. The lungs of a person who quits smoking may eventually become completely free of tars and toxins, but this will take a long time.
Conclusion
Quitting smoking is not easy, but to stop the harmful effects of tobacco on the respiratory system it is necessary to do so. Otherwise, the development of serious pathologies will begin that will significantly worsen the quality of life and, in addition, can cause complications that affect the functioning of other body systems.