Smoking is bad for the body and the negative effects start from the first cigarette smoked. Toxins, carcinogens, resins and soot particles affect the condition of internal organs and their functionality.
One of the first to be affected is the respiratory system, in which numerous destructive and sometimes irreversible processes occur during smoking.
Exposure to cigarette smoke
Cigarette smoke is harmful mainly due to the presence of many harmful substances in its composition, which, upon entering the body, are transported through the bloodstream to all systems and organs. Smoking has the most aggressive effect on the respiratory system, as toxins are ingested during the respiratory process. The smoke enters directly into the system, passing through the upper and lower respiratory tract, where some 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 in the lungs, which leads to insufficient cleaning 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, oxygen saturation in the blood is impaired. Lack of oxygen can cause dizziness and fainting.
Effects of active smoking on the trachea and larynx
The harmful effects of smoking on the respiratory system begin with one puff. Hot cigarette smoke enters the larynx and trachea, burning the mucous membranes. Solid particles of soot and tar settle on the mucous membrane, irritating it. This causes inflammation, which in heavy smokers becomes chronic.
One of the visible manifestations of the influence of tobacco smoke on the respiratory system is a hoarse and hoarse voice, called "smoky". The change in timbre is caused by 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 oral cavity and nasopharynx).
Effect on bronchi
When smoke enters the bronchi during smoking, it irritates the mucous membranes. This leads to the development of the inflammatory process and gradual atrophy of the lining of the bronchial tree. As a result, the bronchi stop functioning normally and the production of secretion, which performs a moisturizing and cleansing function, stops.
Furthermore, the effect of smoking on the respiratory system is the narrowing of the bronchial lumen through which air passes during inhalation and exhalation. And this causes difficulty breathing.
Diseases of the respiratory system characteristic of smokers
Both the upper and lower parts of the respiratory system suffer from the negative effects of tobacco. The upper respiratory tract not only receives a significant portion of poisons, but also suffers thermal shock from the 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;
- deterioration of smell - occurs due to damage to 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, together with obstruction of the bronchi, causes shortness of breath when smoking and especially afterwards. In some cases, it is difficult for a person to breathe: wheezing and whistling sounds are heard when inhaling and exhaling.
In the lower part of the respiratory system, smoking causes the development of the following pathologies:
- pleurisy – inflammation of the serous membrane of the lungs;
- pneumonia is a viral disease that affects lung tissue and alveoli;
- tuberculosis is an infectious disease that often occurs against a background of weakened immunity;
- pneumosclerosis - an inflammatory process accompanied by the replacement of lung tissue with connective tissue incapable of air exchange;
- lung abscess - inflammation of lung tissue with the release of pus, which can lead to tissue necrosis;
- pulmonary insufficiency – characterized by a critical decrease in the oxygen content in the blood;
- emphysema;
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
- lung cancer.
Important! Any breathing problems or pain in the lungs require immediate medical attention.
What are the causes of respiratory problems?
The effect of smoking on the respiratory system, among other things, is expressed in disruption of the normal functioning of blood vessels located over the entire surface of the lungs. The vessels regularly spasm, become less elastic and fragile. This leads to a deterioration in the functioning of the alveoli, which means it affects the gas exchange process.
Furthermore, resins and toxins accumulate in the tissues, which also make it difficult for the respiratory system to function. This explains the fact that after smoking a person develops respiratory failure and has difficulty breathing.
Characteristics of smoker's bronchitis
Smokers gradually develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This is an inflammatory process caused by tobacco smoke, during which there is a strong narrowing of the bronchi at the site of inflammation, which disrupts the flow of air. The bronchial lumen is gradually filled with viscous mucus, which further complicates ventilation of the lung tissue.
Main symptoms of COPD:
- coughing attacks in the morning;
- dyspnea;
- signs of chronic hypoxia (headache, dizziness, nausea, increased excitability, arrhythmia, pale skin).
At first, the cough is dry and suffocating, but as the number of cigarettes smoked increases, the disease progresses. The cough is wet with a large amount of sputum that is difficult to separate.
Respiratory problems in ex-smokers
Smoking regularly is the reason why the body does not have time to remove harmful substances. Toxins and tar accumulate in the respiratory system. To clear the lungs, it will take a lot of time and a complete cessation of smoking.
Immediately after a smoker quits, breathing problems may worsen. Shortness of breath often occurs. There are several reasons for this, the main one being a sudden change in the body's operating conditions. Abrupt withdrawal from nicotine and other substances is stressful for the body, which has already adapted to their constant presence. Removing tar 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 accompanied by a deterioration in well-being, you should consult a doctor.
Withdrawal symptoms
Experienced smokers may experience withdrawal symptoms after giving up a bad habit. This is a normal reaction of the body to a 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;
- disruption of the gastrointestinal tract;
- pressure changes.
Often, after quitting smoking, people suffer from shortness of breath. Symptoms can occur in different combinations.
Important! Most of the time, the condition improves within 1 to 2 weeks.
Therapy methods
Treatment is developed for each case individually. The patient's age, sex and health status 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 medicines are used:
- expectorants;
- herbal sedatives to reduce nervousness and irritability (motherwort);
- nicotine replacement medications - to reduce the desire to smoke.
Attention! Medicines can only be taken after consulting a doctor.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapeutic procedures are carried out in a hospital environment, under the supervision of a doctor. The following items have a good effect on quitting smoking:
- massage therapy;
- electrophoresis;
- ultraviolet irradiation of the interscapular and collar zones;
- 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 done at any age, regardless of existing illnesses.
The basic exercises are a specific respiratory system (for example, breathing in quickly and exhaling slowly), to which movements are added (for example, contracting and protruding the stomach or lifting and contracting and then lowering and relaxing the shoulders). Gymnastics is done twice a day, repeating the exercises 10 to 15 times.
What shouldn't you do if you have trouble breathing?
If you have difficulty breathing, it is very dangerous to smoke or simply breathe tobacco smoke. If a person begins to choke during physical activity, they should immediately stop exercising 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 often, 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 be clear if you give up a bad habit?
If you completely stop smoking, an improvement in your respiratory condition will be noticed within a few days. Breathing will gradually normalize, bad breath and shortness of breath will disappear, and the cough will disappear. The lungs of a person who has quit smoking may eventually become completely free of tar and toxins, but this will take a long time.
Conclusion
Quitting smoking is not easy, but to end the harmful effects of smoking on the respiratory system it is necessary to do so. Otherwise, the development of serious pathologies will begin, which will significantly worsen the quality of life and, in addition, may cause complications that affect the functioning of other body systems.