Any form of tobacco is injurious to the health. Tobacco in the form of cigarettes can lead to permanent damage to the lungs as the smoke contains 70 known cancer-causing chemicals.
If you are a regular tobacco user and experience respiratory issues, consult the best pulmonologist in Dubai. Cigarettes contain nicotine which is very addictive. It increases the tendency to smoke more. Moreover, cigarettes also contain about 7,000 chemicals, other than cancer causing agents.
Some of the compounds can cause changes in the body other than lung damage.
How does smoking affect the respiratory system?
Smoking causes these problems in the respiratory system:
- · Irritation of the trachea (windpipe) and larynx (voice box)
- · Reduced lung function and breathlessness due to swelling and narrowing of the lung airways and excess mucus in the lung passages
- · Impairment of the lungs’ clearance system, leading to the build-up of poisonous substances, which results in lung irritation and damage
- · Increased risk of lung infection and symptoms such as coughing and wheezing
- · Permanent damage to the air sacs of the lungs.
Alveoli and smoking
Alveoli are an essential part of the body's respiratory system as it allows us to breathe. Here is what happens when you smoke a cigarette:
- 1. Over time, the toxins from inhaled cigarette smoke break the thin walls of alveoli, leaving larger, less efficient air sacs.
- 2. The sacs also begin to lose their bounce, making it harder to bring in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide.
- 3. Finally, regular smokers increase their chances of experiencing emphysema, a form of COPD. The damage from emphysema cannot be reversed since once air sacs are broken, they do not mend.
Aster Hospitals provide one of the best COPD treatments in Dubai.
Will smoking lead to cancer?
Our lungs have the potential to heal themselves from the damage caused by environmental debris. But, can’t recover properly from the damage caused by smoking.
These factors will determine whether one will experience cancer or not?
1. The number of cigarettes one smokes and the length they have been smoking for.
2. The risk of cancer increases with the increase in the number of smoking a day. Therefore, reducing the daily count might help in preventing the formation of cancer.
3. However, the number of years that one has been smoking also matters. So, it’s vital to plan to quit smoking.
4. Always remember, the sooner you stop, the lower your risk of cancer. Everyone who smokes can benefit from stopping, and it’s never too late to stop- even if you’ve smoked for years
Is there a safe level of smoking?
No, there is nothing called a safe level of smoking as light, occasional and social smoking also cause cancer. Whether you smoke one or ten cigarettes daily, you can still develop the chances of experiencing cancer. According to studies, smoking even for a day increases the risk of dying early compared to people who have never smoked. Quit smoking, today for a healthy lifestyle.