Effects of smoking on lungs

We are already aware that smoking raises our risk of having lung cancer. However, that is not the only disorder it can lead to. As a matter of fact, smoking is associated with most of the lung diseases that include COP, asthma and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Smoking also makes these diseases much more severe. A smoker is 12 – 13 times more likely to die due to COPD as compared to a nonsmoker.

With every smoke of cigarette a smoker inhales hundreds of chemicals which include carbon monoxide, nicotine & tar,right into their lungs. These toxins cause severe damage to our lungs. They raise the mucus, making it tough for our lungs to clean themselves & irritate & inflame the tissues. Gradually the airways narrow, making it tough to breathe.
Smoking also results in fast ageing of lungs. Finally, the chemicals could transform the normal lung cells to cancerous. Over 10 times as many as the citizens of the U.S. have died prematurely due to cigarette smoking than the total deaths resulting from all the wars that the U.S. has ever fought. Additionally smoking leads to 90% of all the deaths of men & women, resulting from lung cancer. More women die due to lung cancer every year than they die from breast cancer.
IT doesn’t matter how old one is or for how long they have been smoking, quitting helps. According to studies within 12 hours of quitting, the level of carbon monoxide in the blood drops to normal. Within few months, lung function shows improvement. Within 1 year the risk of coronary heart disease falls to half of that of a smoker’s. it gets better and better as long as one stays smoke-free.
Usually quitting includes many attempts. It isn’t easy however, it is definitely worth it. Combination of counseling & medicines could be the best option to succeed.