Smoking is harmful to the body and the negative effects begin with the first cigarette smoked. Toxins, carcinogens, resins and particulate soot particles impair the condition of internal organs and their functionality.
The first to be affected is the respiratory system, in which numerous destructive and sometimes irreversible processes take place when smoking.
Exposure to cigarette smoke
Cigarette smoke is harmful primarily because its composition contains many harmful substances that, entering the body through the bloodstream, reach all systems and organs. Smoking has the most aggressive effect on the respiratory system as toxins are absorbed during the breathing process. Smoke enters the system directly through the upper and lower respiratory tract, where some of the substances are deposited on the mucous membranes and trigger inflammatory processes.
Numerous chemical compounds contained in cigarette smoke trigger numerous reactions in the respiratory system. Smoking damages the epithelial cilia in the lungs, resulting in inadequate 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 blockage of the airway sacs with tar, the oxygen saturation of 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 penetrates the larynx and trachea and burns the mucous membranes. Solid soot and tar particles settle on the mucous membrane and irritate it. This leads to inflammation, which becomes chronic in heavy smokers.
One of the most striking manifestations of the influence of tobacco smoke on the respiratory system is a hoarse, 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 impairs local immunity, leading to frequent infectious diseases (including the oral cavity and nasopharynx).
Effect on the bronchi
When smoke gets into the bronchi when smoking, it irritates their 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 no longer function normally and the secretion production, which has a moisturizing and cleansing function, is disrupted.
In addition, smoking leads to a narrowing of the bronchial lumen, through which air flows when inhaling and exhaling. And that leads to breathing difficulties.
Respiratory diseases 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 absorbs a significant amount of toxins, but also experiences thermal shock from hot smoke. This causes diseases such as:
- Sinusitis is an inflammatory process of the mucous membranes of the paranasal sinuses;
- Sinusitis – inflammation of the maxillary sinuses;
- Rhinitis – inflammation of the nasal mucosa;
- Deterioration of the sense of smell – occurs due to damage to receptors;
- Laryngitis, tracheitis – inflammation of the larynx and trachea.
Due to the deterioration in the functionality of the epithelial cilia, sputum stagnates in the lungs. This, together with blockage of the bronchial tubes, leads to shortness of breath when smoking and especially after smoking. In some cases, a person finds it difficult to breathe; Whistling and whistling sounds are heard when inhaling and exhaling.
In the lower part of the respiratory system, smoking leads to 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 the background of weakened immunity;
- Pneumosclerosis – an inflammatory process associated with the replacement of lung tissue with connective tissue that cannot carry out air exchange;
- Lung abscess – inflammation of the lung tissue with release of pus, which can lead to tissue necrosis;
- Respiratory failure – characterized by a critical drop in oxygen levels in the blood;
- emphysema;
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
- Lung cancer.
Important! If you have trouble breathing or have pain in your lungs, immediate medical attention is required.
What are the causes of breathing problems?
The effects of smoking on the respiratory tract are manifested, among other things, by disrupting the normal functioning of the blood vessels located on the entire surface of the lungs. The vessels regularly cramp, become less elastic and brittle. This leads to a deterioration in the function of the alveoli and thus to an impairment of the gas exchange process.
In addition, resins and toxins accumulate in the tissue, which also makes it difficult for the respiratory tract 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, in which there is a severe narrowing of the bronchi at the site of inflammation, which disrupts the air flow. The bronchial lumen gradually fills with thick mucus, making ventilation of the lung tissue even more difficult.
Main symptoms of COPD:
- Coughing attacks in the morning;
- dyspnea;
- Signs of chronic hypoxia (headache, dizziness, nausea, increased excitability, cardiac arrhythmias, pale skin).
The cough is initially dry and suffocating, but the disease progresses as the number of cigarettes smoked increases. The cough becomes wet and produces a large amount of sputum that is difficult to expel.
Breathing problems in former smokers
Regular smoking is the reason that the body does not have time to eliminate harmful substances. Toxins and tar accumulate in the respiratory system. Cleaning your lungs requires a lot of time and a complete quitting of smoking.
Immediately after a smoker quits smoking, breathing problems may worsen. Shortness of breath often occurs. There are several reasons for this, the main one being a sudden change in the functional conditions of the body. Abrupt withdrawal of nicotine and other substances is stressful for the body, which has already become accustomed to the constant presence. The removal of tar and toxins from the lungs and bronchi can also cause breathing difficulties.
Attention! When you quit smoking, unpleasant symptoms are difficult to avoid. However, if the adaptation process is very difficult and is accompanied by a deterioration in well-being, you should consult a doctor.
Withdrawal symptoms
Experienced smokers may experience withdrawal symptoms after quitting a bad habit. This is a normal reaction of the body to a lack of nicotine and other substances. The most common complaint is: "I quit smoking and found it 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 people suffer from shortness of breath after quitting smoking. The symptoms can occur in different combinations.
Important! The condition usually improves within 1-2 weeks.
Therapy methods
Treatment is developed individually for each case. The patient's age, gender and health status are taken into account. The severity of symptoms and possible contraindications.
Medication
To treat the human respiratory system from the effects of smoking, the following groups of drugs are used:
- expectorant;
- herbal sedatives to reduce nervousness and irritability (feverfew);
- Nicotine replacement supplements – to reduce cravings after smoking.
Attention! Medicines may only be taken after consulting a doctor.
physical therapy
Physiotherapeutic procedures are carried out in the hospital under medical supervision. The following have a positive effect on quitting smoking:
- massotherapy;
- electrophoresis;
- ultraviolet irradiation of the interscapular and collar zones;
- UHF therapy.
Physiotherapeutic methods help to normalize breathing and improve the function of the bronchi and lungs.
Breathing exercises
Special breathing exercises help to significantly reduce the damage to the respiratory tract caused by smoking. The big advantage of this method is that there are practically no restrictions. Gymnastics can be performed at any age, regardless of existing medical conditions.
Basic exercises are a specific breathing system (e. g. rapid inhalation and slow exhalation) to which movements are added (e. g. drawing in and extending the stomach or lifting and tightening and then lowering and relaxing the shoulders). Gymnastics is performed twice a day, repeating the exercises 10-15 times.
What should you not do if you have trouble breathing?
If you have difficulty breathing, it is very dangerous to smoke or even inhale tobacco smoke. If a person begins to choke during physical activity, you must immediately stop exercising and breathe calmly for 10 minutes.
Emotional stress can lead to difficulty breathing. It is advisable to avoid stressful situations.
How long does shortness of breath last when you stop smoking?
Respiratory recovery after smoking is a very individual process. The duration depends on many factors, including the smoker's age and health, smoking experience and body characteristics.
Shortness of breath most commonly occurs in the first 7-15 days after quitting cigarette smoking. On average, it takes 3 to 8 months for lung function to fully recover.
Will your lungs clear when you give up a bad habit?
If you stop smoking completely, you will notice an improvement in your respiratory symptoms within a few days. Breathing gradually normalizes, bad breath and shortness of breath disappear, and the cough disappears. The lungs of a person who has quit smoking may eventually be completely cleared of tar and toxins, but this will take a long time.
Diploma
Quitting smoking is not easy, but in order to stop the harmful effects of smoking on the respiratory system, it is necessary to do it. Otherwise, serious pathologies will develop, which will significantly worsen the quality of life and, moreover, lead to complications that affect the functioning of other body systems.