How Does Smoking Cause Asthma
Smoking can cause children to develop asthma, as it affects how your lungs function. Smoking causes damage to the tissues and blood vessels within your lungs, as well as irritating and inflaming the lungs. This damage results in abnormalities and diseases known more commonly as smokers lungs. Smokers lungs also turn black as tar deposits build up in the lungs, this can also lead to conditions such as;COPD.
Children are more likely to develop asthma if their parents smoke, and if your child has asthma, smoking around them can make their symptoms worse too.
Smoking causes permanent damage to your lungs, which can lead to other respiratory conditions such as COPD , chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Prevalence Of Cigarette Smoking
The World Health Organization has estimated that there are 1.25 billion smokers worldwide, with approximately two-thirds living in developing countries. In many developed countries, at least one in four adults smoke cigarettes. The prevalence of smoking in USA and UK males is 26 and 27%, respectively, and, 21 and 25%, respectively, in females , . The total percentage of smokers varies between European countries, e.g. 38% in Germany, 30% in France, 29% in Italy and 18% in Sweden. Prevalence rates of smoking are higher in those countries with lower incomes and among young adults, particularly females . Smoking rates are, in general, much higher in underdeveloped countries. Former smokers accounted for 27% of the male and 21% of the female population in the UK .
There is much less information on smoking rates in adult asthmatic patients, but active cigarette smoking is common, with prevalence rates similar to the general population. Current smoking rates among asthmatic patients from the USA and UK range from 1735% . In the USA, particularly high rates were found in adults presenting to hospital emergency departments with acute asthma . An additional number of adult asthmatics are former smokers, with prevalence rates ranging from 2243% , . Thus, in most developed countries, at least one-half of the adult asthmatic population are likely to be current or former cigarette smokers.
Asthma Symptoms Can Mimic Other Illnesses Or Diseases Especially In Older Adults For Example:
- Hiatal hernia, stomach problems, heart failure, or rheumatic arthritis can create asthma-like symptoms.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has many of the same symptoms as asthma. COPD, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is very common in older adults especially those who are or have been smokers.
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What Is Third Hand Smoke And How It Affects Asthma
Thirdhand smoke basically refers to residual byproducts of cigarette smoke which are left behind on indoor surfaces like furniture, walls, carpets, drapes, clothes, etc.
The residual chemical and ultrafine particles of the tobacco smoke can also get linger on hairs, skin, or to the interiors of the car surfaces weeks after a cigarette or cigar has been put off and smoker has left the area.
These potentially harmful tiny particles when gets exposed to asthmatics can prove to be hazardous and much more deadly for them, as compared to nicotine inhaled directly by the smoker.
The residue left behind due to thirdhand smoke gradually build up on various surfaces which get reacted with other indoor pollutants present in the air slowly.
This gets converted into a deadly toxic mixture and chemical compounds that act as a potential health hazard for children and non-smokers resulting in respiratory issues like asthma for them.
Infants and toddlers are often at increased risk of thirdhand smoke as they tend to get in touch with these contaminated surfaces through hands and mouth.
Sad to reveal, you cannot get rid of thirdhand smoke so easily. To remove these tiny residues and harmful particles completely, you should regularly get your furniture and upholstery cleaned.
And most importantly you should insist on living in a smoke-free environment by not allowing anyone in your family to smoke. This is important not only for you but also for your small ones.
Allergies Can Cause Asthma
Allergies with asthma is a common problem. Eighty percent of people with asthma have allergies to things in the air, like tree, grass, and weed pollens; mold; animal dander; dust mites; and cockroach droppings. In one study, children with high levels of cockroach droppings in their homes were four times more likely to have childhood asthma than children with low levels. An allergy to dust mites is another common asthma trigger.
If you have asthma thatâs hard to control, see an allergist to find out if you have allergies. Treating your allergies with medication and avoiding your triggers can help lower the odds of a severe asthma attack.
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Therapeutic Response To Corticosteroids
The effect of treatment with inhaled fluticasone propionate or placebo for 3 weeks was studied in corticosteroid-naïve adult asthmatic patients by means of a randomised placebo-controlled crossover study . All of the subjects had asthma with evidence of bronchial hyperreactivity. Nonsmokers had a significant increase in mean morning peak expiratory flow , mean FEV1 and geometric mean provocative concentration causing a 20% fall in FEV1 of methacholine, and a significant decrease in sputum eosinophils following fluticasone compared with placebo. These outcome measures showed no significant changes in the smoking asthmatics. A randomised parallel group study with inhaled fluticasone propionate or placebo for 6 weeks examined the effects on airway responsiveness to methacholine in 52 treatment-naïve adult asthmatic patients, of whom approximately one-half were current smokers . Inhaled fluticasone decreased geometric mean PC20 of methacholine compared with placebo . Multiple linear regression analysis showed that current smoking did not influence the magnitude of the effect of inhaled fluticasone on PC20 of methacholine.
Taken together, the results of these clinical studies suggest that smokers with asthma can be resistant to the beneficial therapeutic effects of corticosteroids. There are several clinical factors that might influence the response to corticosteroids in asthmatic smokers. These include:
Diagnosis
Duration of inhaled corticosteroid therapy
Intensity of smoking
Medications To Help Me Quit
- Talk to your doctor about a nicotine replacement therapy that will help you quit.
- Some choices include patch, gum, lozenge, inhaler, and nasal spray.
- Most quit hotlines will send your first round of medications.
- In addition, your local health department often provides some of these medications for FREE.
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What Are Signs And Symptoms Of Adult Onset Asthma
Regardless of age, asthma symptoms can include:
;;;;;;;;;;; Dry cough, especially at night or in response to specific triggers
;;;;;;;;;;; Tightness or pressure in the chest
;;;;;;;;;;; Wheezing a whistling sound when exhaling
;;;;;;;;;;; Shortness of breath after exercise or physical exertion
;;;;;;;;;;; Difficulty breathing
;;;;;;;;;;; Colds that go to the chest or hang on for 10 days or more
Symptoms Associated With Throat Cancer
When throat cancer affects your vocal cords, the first symptom is a change in your voice. You may sound hoarse or raspy. Other symptoms of throat cancer include
- Painful or difficulty swallowing
- A sore throat that doesnt go away
- A sense of a lump in the throator a constant need to swallow
- Swelling or pain in the neck
- Enlarged glands in the neck
- A chronic cough
- Coughing up blood.
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Reducing The Burden Of Asthma
Asthma cannot be cured, but good management with inhaled medications can control the disease and enable people with asthma to enjoy a normal, active life.
There are two main types of inhaler:
- bronchodilators , that open the air passages and relieve symptoms; and
- steroids , that reduce inflammation in the air passages. This improves asthma symptoms and reduces the risk of severe asthma attacks and death.
People with asthma may need to use their inhaler every day. Their treatment will depend on the frequency of symptoms and the different types of inhalers available.
It can be difficult to coordinate breathing using an inhaler especially for children and during emergency situations. Using a spacer device makes it easier to use an aerosol inhaler and helps the medicine to reach the lungs more effectively. A spacer is a plastic container with a mouthpiece or mask at one end, and a hole for the inhaler in the other. A homemade spacer, made from a 500-ml plastic bottle, can be as effective as a commercially-manufactured inhaler.;
Access to inhalers is a problem in many countries. In 2019, only half of people with asthma had access to a bronchodilator and less than one in five had access to a steroid inhaler in public primary health-care facilities in low-income countries .
Where Can I Get Help To Quit Smoking
There is free help and resources available by phone, online or mail from the CDC. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW . Callers are routed to their state quit lines, which offer several types of information and services. These may include:
- Free support, advice and counseling from experienced coaches
- A personalized quit plan
- Practical information on how to quit, including ways to cope with nicotine withdrawal
- The latest information about stop-smoking medicines
- Free or discounted medicines
- Referrals to other resources
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Signs Symptoms And Complications
How often;signs;and;symptoms;of asthma occur may depend on how severe, or intense, the asthma is and whether you are exposed to allergens. Some people have symptoms every day, while others have symptoms only a few days of the year. For some people, asthma may cause discomfort but does not interfere with daily activities. If you have more severe asthma, however, your asthma may limit what you are able to do.
When asthma is well controlled, a person shows few symptoms. When symptoms worsen, a person can have what is called an asthma attack, or an exacerbation. Over time, uncontrolled asthma can damage the airways in the lungs.
Different Types Of Triggers
There are two types of asthma triggers:
Inflammatory triggers set off an allergic reaction and can cause inflammation of the lung airways or tightening of the airway muscles. Inflammatory triggers include dust mites, animals, cockroaches, moulds, and pollens. Identification of allergic triggers is best confirmed by an allergists assessment.
Symptom triggers generally do not cause swelling, but they can provoke twitchy airways, especially if theyre already inflamed. Symptom triggers include smoke, exercise, cold air, chemical fumes , and intense emotions.
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Why Do People Get Asthma
Research has yet to show a definitive cause of asthma. However, researchers have determined several risk factors that can lead to asthma development.
Family History and Genetics
Children of mothers with asthma are three times more likely to suffer from asthma, and 2.5 times more likely if the father has asthma. More than 30 genes have been linked to asthma so far, and gene-gene interactions, gene-environment interactions and epigenetic modifications also play a part. Genetic differences also play a role in differences in response to treatment.
Allergies
People are more likely to have asthma if they have certain types of allergies, such ones which can affect the eyes and nose. However, not everyone who has allergies will get asthma and not everyone who has asthma is affected by allergies. Respiratory allergies and some types of asthma are related to an antibody called immunoglobulin E , which the immune system produces in response to allergens. To protect the body, the IgE causes allergic reactions that can affect the eyes, nose, throat, lungs and skin.
Premature Birth
Children born before 37 weeks are at increased risk of developing asthma later in life.
Lung Infections
Babies or small children may be at risk of developing asthma later in life if they had certain lung infections at a very early age.
Occupational Exposures
Hormones
Women can develop adult-onset asthma during or after menopause.
Environment Air Quality
Obesity
How Does Tobacco Smoke Affect Asthma
Asthma is a chronic disease that causes your airways to become inflamed, making it hard to breathe. Asthma triggers cause this inflammation. Triggers are things that bother people with asthma but may not bother other people. Tobacco smoke is one the most common triggers of asthma symptoms.
Symptoms of asthma include:
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid breathing
- Chest tightness
When you think of the bad ingredients in tobacco, nicotine usually comes to mind. But tobacco smoke is full of many other toxic substances, like arsenic and cyanide.
In fact, tobacco smoke has more than 7,000 toxic chemicals. About 70 of them are known to cause cancer.1 With this in mind, its no surprise tobacco is one of the most common asthma triggers.
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Smoking Used To Be Recommended For Asthma
Tobacco smoke was sometimes a remedy for asthma, but more than likely it was “asthma cigarettes,” which contained belladonna and stramonium.1 I think it was Francis Rackeman who once quipped that he could always tell which homes belonged to asthmatics by the sweet aroma of asthma cigarettes.
By the time I was born, the dangers of smoking were well known. In fact, thanks to the evolution of better and safer asthma medicines, smoking is no longer recommended for asthma. This is despite evidence that smoking does produce a mild bronchodilator effect. However, most health experts would agree that the risks of smoking far outweigh any benefits.
Asthma Triggers: Gain Control
This video features medical professionals, families and children living with asthma.
Americans spend up to 90 percent of their time indoors, and indoor allergens and irritants play a significant role in triggering asthma attacks. Triggers are things that can cause asthma symptoms, an episode or attack or make asthma worse. If you have asthma, you may react to just one trigger or you may find that several things act as triggers. Be sure to work with a doctor to identify triggers and develop a treatment plan that includes ways to reduce exposures to your asthma triggers.
On this page:
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Is Vaping Bad For Asthma
Vaping is the inhaling and exhaling of a vapor produced by electronic cigarettes or a similar device. Electronic cigarettes are smokeless and battery-operated devices. They are used to deliver nicotine with flavorings or other chemicals to the lungs. They are often sold in fun flavors that appeal to teens and youth.
Most devices resemble cigarettes. Others resemble pens, hookah tips, screwdrivers or memory sticks and have cartridges that are refillable. The liquid in the cartridges becomes an aerosol that is inhaled into the lungs.
Any product with cigarette in its name should be a red flag for anyone who has asthma or allergies.
One recent study showed that long-term use of e-cigarettes increases the risk of respiratory disease. This includes asthma, COPD and chronic bronchitis. The data showed the risk of developing a lung or respiratory disease was significantly linked to e-cigarette use. The risk was even stronger in people who smoked both e-cigarettes and regular cigarettes.
Teens who use e-cigarettes are at higher risk of moving to traditional cigarettes according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. E-cigarettes are often marketed as an effective smoking cessation aid. Science and research do not support these claims.
About Dust Mites And Asthma
Dust mites are tiny bugs that are too small to see. Every home has dust mites. They feed on human skin flakes and are found in mattresses, pillows, carpets, upholstered furniture, bedcovers, clothes, stuffed toys,;fabric, and fabric-covered items.
Body parts and droppings from dust mites can trigger asthma in individuals with allergies to dust mites. Exposure to dust mites can cause asthma in children who have not previously exhibited asthma symptoms.
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About Chemical Irritants And Asthma
Chemical irritants are found in some products in your house and may trigger asthma. Your asthma or your child’s asthma may be worse around products such as cleaners, paints, adhesives, pesticides, cosmetics or air fresheners. Chemical irritants are also present in schools and can be found in commonly used cleaning supplies and educational kits.
Chemical irritants may exacerbate asthma. At sufficient concentrations in the air, many products can trigger a reaction.
What Is Thirdhand Smoke
Thirdhand smoke is residue from tobacco smoke. When a cigarette is smoked, chemicals in the smoke stick to surfaces and dust for months after the smoke is gone. The chemicals in the residue then react to other pollutants in the air, like ozone, to create harmful particles you can easily inhale.1
Thirdhand smoke particles are extremely tiny, easily making their way into your lungs. These particles can stick to skin and clothing. Adults and children then breathe in the residue or absorb it through their skin or mouth. Some experts believe thirdhand smoke may be worse for those with asthma than nicotine.
Smoking outdoors does not reduce the threat of thirdhand smoke. Airing out rooms or cars doesnt help. Open windows, fans, air filters or confining smoking to certain rooms or outside will not reduce thirdhand smoke either.
The effects of tobacco go beyond its smoke. Doctors measure cotinine, a chemical found in tobacco, to find out how much nicotine in the body. Cotinine can be found in the urine of those who come in contact with thirdhand smoke.
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How Can Asthma Attacks Be Prevented
If you or a family member has asthma, you can manage it with the help of your health care provider and by avoiding your; triggers. Try to avoid asthma attacks by staying far away from tobacco smoke. Some other helpful tips are:
Jamason C. has had asthma attacks triggered by exposure to secondhand smoke.
I was 16. People were smoking near me. My chest got really tight. I was trying to breathe, trying to get air into my lungs. I couldnt bear it!
Real stories about asthma:
- Do not smoke or allow others to smoke in your home or car. Opening a window does not protect you from smoke.8
- If your state still allows smoking in public areas, look for restaurants and other places that do not allow smoking. No-smoking sections in the same restaurant with smoking sections do not protect adequately from secondhand smoke8even if there is a filter or ventilation system.9
- Make sure your childrens day care centers and schools are tobacco-free. For schools, a tobacco-free campus policy means no tobacco use or advertising on school property is allowed by anyone at any time. This includes off-campus school events.8
- Teach children to stay away from secondhand smoke. Be a good role model by not smoking.8
There is no cure for asthma. However, to help control your asthma and avoid attacks:2
- Take your medicine exactly as your doctor tells you.
- Stay away from things that can trigger an attack.
- Quick-relief
- Long-term control