Smoking is harmful to the body and its negative effects start from the first cigarette smoked. Toxins, carcinogens, resins and particulate soot particles affect the condition of internal organs and their functionality.
One of the first to be affected is the respiratory system, where numerous destructive and sometimes irreversible processes occur during smoking.
Exposure to cigarette smoke
Cigarette smoke is harmful primarily due to the presence of many harmful substances in it, which are transmitted to all systems and organs by blood when entering the body. Smoking has the most aggressive effect on the respiratory system, because the intake of toxins occurs during the breathing process. The smoke enters the system directly through the upper and lower respiratory tract, where some of the substances settle on the mucous membranes and provoke inflammatory processes.
The numerous chemical compounds in cigarette smoke cause numerous reactions in the respiratory system. Smoking damages the epithelial cilia in the lungs, which causes insufficient cleansing of the organ. Also, constant inflammatory processes in the lungs lead to the growth of connective tissue that gradually replaces healthy lung tissue. This leads to the deformation of the airways and their narrowing
Oxygen saturation of the blood is disturbed due to the blockage of the respiratory alveoli. Oxygen starvation can cause dizziness and fainting.
The effect of active smoking on the trachea and larynx
The harmful effects of smoking on the respiratory system begin with inhalation. Hot cigarette smoke enters the larynx and trachea, burns the mucous membranes. Solid particles of soot and tar settle on the mucous membrane and irritate it. This causes inflammation that becomes chronic in heavy smokers.
One of the noticeable manifestations of the effect of tobacco smoke on the respiratory system is a muffled, muffled sound called "smoky". The change in timbre is caused by constant irritation of the vocal cords, they become swollen, covered with ulcers and erosions.
In addition, smoking has a negative effect on local immunity, which often leads to infectious diseases (including the oral cavity and nasopharynx).
Effects on the bronchi
When smoke enters the bronchi during smoking, it irritates their mucous membranes. This leads to the development of the inflammatory process and gradual atrophy of the mucous membrane of the bronchial tree. As a result, the bronchi cease to function normally, the production of excreta, which performs the moisturizing and cleansing function, is disturbed.
In addition, 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 in 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 part of poisons, but is also exposed to the temperature shock of hot smoke. As a result, such diseases:
- sinusitis is an inflammatory process of the mucous membrane of the nasal sinuses;
- sinusitis - inflammation of the maxillary sinuses;
- rhinitis - inflammation of the nasal mucosa;
- deterioration of the sense of smell - occurs due to damage to the receptors;
- laryngitis, tracheitis - inflammation of the larynx and trachea.
Sputum stagnates in the lungs due to the deterioration of the functionality of the epithelial cilia. This causes shortness of breath during and especially after smoking, along with bronchial obstruction. In some cases, it becomes difficult for a person to breathe, wheezing and whistling sounds are heard when inhaling and exhaling.
Smoking in the lower part of the respiratory system 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 accompanied by the replacement of lung tissue with connective tissue incapable of air exchange;
- lung abscess - inflammation of the lung tissue with the release of pus, which can cause tissue necrosis;
- pulmonary failure - characterized by a critical decrease in the amount of oxygen in the blood;
- emphysema;
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
- lung cancer.
It is important! Any breathing problem or pain in the lungs requires immediate medical attention.
What are the causes of breathing problems?
The effect of smoking on the respiratory system is expressed, among other things, by the disruption of the normal functioning of the blood vessels located on the entire surface of the lungs. Vessels regularly spasm, become less elastic and fragile. This causes a deterioration in the work of the alveoli, that is, it affects the process of gas exchange.
In addition, resins and toxins accumulate in tissues, which complicates the work of the respiratory system. This explains that after smoking, a person develops respiratory failure and has difficulty breathing.
Features of smoking bronchitis
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease develops gradually in smokers. This is an inflammatory process provoked by tobacco smoke, during which there is a strong narrowing of the bronchi at the site of inflammation, which disrupts the airflow. The bronchial lumen is gradually filled with viscous mucus, which makes ventilation of the lung tissue even more difficult.
The main symptoms of COPD:
- coughing attacks in the morning;
- shortness of breath;
- symptoms of chronic hypoxia (headache, dizziness, nausea, increased agitation, arrhythmia, pale skin).
At first, the cough is dry and suffocating, but the disease progresses as the number of cigarettes smoked increases. Cough is wet with a large amount of sputum that is difficult to separate.
Breathing problems in ex-smokers
Regular smoking is the reason why the body does not have time to remove harmful substances. Toxins and resins accumulate in the respiratory system. It takes a lot of time and a complete stop smoking to clean your lungs.
Breathing problems may worsen immediately after a smoker quits. Shortness of breath is common. There are several reasons for this, the main one of which is the sudden change of the body in working conditions. Abrupt withdrawal from nicotine and other substances is stressful for the body, which has already adapted to their constant presence. The removal of tar and toxins from the lungs and bronchi can also cause difficulty breathing.
Attention! It is difficult to avoid unpleasant symptoms when you quit smoking, but if the adaptation process is very difficult and is accompanied by deterioration of well-being, you should consult a doctor.
Withdrawal symptoms
Seasoned smokers may experience withdrawal symptoms after quitting the bad habit. This is a normal reaction of the body to the lack of nicotine and other substances. The most popular complaint: "I quit smoking and it's hard to breathe. "
However, withdrawal symptoms are quite broad:
- weakness, fatigue;
- Headache;
- appetite disorders;
- nausea;
- cough;
- arrhythmia;
- violation of the gastrointestinal tract;
- pressure changes.
People often suffer from shortness of breath after quitting smoking. Symptoms can occur in various combinations.
It is important! In most cases, the condition improves within 1-2 weeks.
Therapy methods
Treatment is prepared individually for each case. The patient's age, sex and health condition are taken into account. Severity of symptoms and available contraindications.
Medicine
The following drug groups are used to treat the human respiratory system from the effects of smoking:
- expectorants;
- herbal sedatives (motherwort) to reduce nervousness and irritability;
- nicotine replacement drugs - to reduce the urge to smoke.
Attention! Medicines can be taken only after consulting a doctor.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy procedures are carried out in a hospital under the supervision of a doctor. The following are good for quitting smoking:
- massage therapy;
- electrophoresis;
- ultraviolet radiation of interscapular and collar zones;
- UHF therapy.
Physiotherapy methods help normalize breathing and improve the work of the bronchi and lungs.
Breathing exercises
Special breathing exercises will help to significantly reduce the damage to the respiratory system from smoking. The great advantage of this method is that it has practically no limitations. Gymnastics can be done at any age, regardless of existing diseases.
The main exercises are a special breathing system (for example, quick inhalation and slow exhalation), to which movements are added (for example, pull the stomach in and out or lift and squeeze, then lower the shoulders and relax). Gymnastics is done twice a day, exercises are repeated 10-15 times.
What should you do if you have difficulty breathing?
If you have trouble breathing, smoking or simply inhaling tobacco smoke is very dangerous. If a person begins to suffocate during physical activity, you 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 age and health of the smoker, smoking experience and body characteristics.
Most of the time, shortness of breath occurs within the first 7-15 days after quitting smoking. On average, it takes 3 to 8 months to fully recover lung function.
Will your lungs clear up if you quit a bad habit?
If you stop smoking completely, the improvement in your respiratory condition will be noticeable within a few days. Breathing will gradually normalize, bad breath and shortness of breath will disappear, and the cough will pass. A smoker's lungs can eventually be completely cleared of tar and toxins, but it will take a long time.
The result
Quitting smoking is not easy, but it must be done to stop the harmful effects of smoking on the respiratory system. Otherwise, the development of serious pathologies will begin, which can significantly worsen the quality of life and, in addition, cause complications that affect the functioning of other body systems.