What Will Happen If You Smoke & Have Asthma?
Smoking tobacco is dangerous and the risk is increased for asthmatics who smoke. According to medicalnewstoday.com, there are more than 4,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke that can harm an individual's health by affecting the lung's airways. Still, according to medicalnewstoday.com, it is estimated that more than 20 percent of asthmatics in developed countries are smokers. In an asthma sufferer, smoking will lead to a worsening of symptoms, increased amount asthma attacks, an interference with asthma medication, permanent damage to the lungs and an increased amount of white blood cells.
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Worsening Symptoms
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When an asthmatic smokes, his symptoms are likely to flare up more often and will be more severe. Even second-hand smoke is a trigger. Smokers who are not asthmatics often experience a shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing.
Asthma Attacks
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Like asthma, smoking can also cause the airways of the lungs to become inflammed, tightened and fill with mucous. When these symptoms become severe, they can lead to asthma attacks because air flow to the lungs is restricted.
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Medicine Interference
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Smoking interferes with medicine for asthma by not making it as effective. Most medicines taken for asthma relief are inhaled, whether they are long-term preventative medications or quick-relief medications, such as Albuterol. Tobacco smoke can disrupt the functions of these medicines in the lungs. In fact, taking anti-inflammatory preventative drugs are virtually useless to tobacco smoke-filled lungs. It is far more advantageous for an asthmatic to quit smoking than it is to use long-term medications.
Permanent Damage
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The lungs do not work properly when an individual smokes. When an asthma sufferer smokes, they have an increased risk of permanently damaging the lungs, specifically the airways. Inflammation of the airways are the main component of asthma. Smoking further enhances such inflammation. According to medicalnewstoday.com, asthmatics who quit smoking will improve the functioning of their lungs by 15 percent in a matter of two months.
White Blood Cells
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According to medicalnewstoday.com, smoking also affects asthmatics by increasing white blood cells counts, or phagocytes. By reducing white blood cells, the body has a better immunity to illnesses, because it is better able to fight of fungal infections, foreign debris, and bacteria.
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