Can a Pulmonary Exam Discover Smoking?
Smoking tobacco creates health problems. Nicotine dependence makes quitting difficult and the use may also have a negative impact on obtaining life and health insurance. Medical tests for nicotine use are typically urine tests.
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Testing
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A urine toxicology test shows nicotine use. This includes chewing tobacco, cigars and even use of a nicotine patch or nicotine gum. A urinalysis is the primary test used to test for nicotine.
Considerations
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A physical exam can show pulmonary smoking-related conditions that point to tobacco use. Conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, and emphysema are typically smoking related. Pulmonary function testing is performed to determine the extent of lung damage from smoking.
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Other Testing
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Other aspects of a physical examination may point to tobacco use, although this may not be conclusive. A dry cough, skin wrinkling and decreased heart rate may all be indicators of tobacco use. Blood tests may show lowered levels of cortisol and catecholamines, which are adrenal hormones.
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References
- Photo Credit smoking image by Alison Bowden from Fotolia.com
