Smoker's Lung Symptoms and Treatments

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Smoker's Lung Symptoms and Treatments
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• Smokers lung is a term used to describe the
  overall wellbeing and health of a smokers lung.
  Smoking is associated with a variety of health
  problems, including stroke, lung cancer,

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• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
  heart disease, asthma, diabetes, macular
  degeneration, reproductive problems in women and
  premature babies. According to the American Lung
  Association, a person has less than a one in five
  chance of still being alive five years after a
  lung cancer diagnosis. Symptoms and treatment of
  smokers lung are as follows.

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10. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

• Most cases of smokers lung can be categorized
  under chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or
  COPD, which affects around forty million people
  worldwide. Research shows that although it is
  only the fourth leading cause of death in the
  United States, it is the only one of the top five
  causes of death to increase over the past ten
  years. COPD is made up of two different diseases
  called emphysema, involving the lung alveoli, and
  chronic bronchitis, comprising the bronchial
  passageway.

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9. Emphysema

• Emphysema occurs when the alveolar septae, or
  the walls of the air sacs in the lungs, are
  destroyed, causing the air spaces in the lungs to
  grow larger and decrease in quantity. The more
  the air spaces grow, the less efficient regular
  sized alveoli can properly function.

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• Therefore, emphysema negatively affects the gas
  exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. It also
  disrupts the blood supply to the lungs, which
  creates a discolored appearance and eventually
  destroys the capillaries and the alveolar wall.

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8. Chronic Bronchitis

• During chronic bronchitis, the cells lining the
  airway of the lungs become damaged by the
  nicotine found in smoke. The damaged tissue
  causes an accumulation of inflammatory cells,
  which release enzymes that further destroy the
  cells that line the airway.

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• This causes an increase in the number of goblet
  cells and mucus production, which is why people
  with bronchitis regularly cough. Airway
  obstruction is a common characteristic of
  bronchitis due to mucus, inflammation and tissue
  scarring, making it hard for the lungs to fill
  with air.

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7. Pneumonia

• People with smokers lung are at an increased
  risk of developing pneumonia. Smoking causes an
  increase in mucus production, which impairs the
  ability of the cilia to clear the lungs for air
  to get in. When coupled with bacteria,
  inflammatory cells, and damaged lung tissues, the
  secretions in the lungs are difficult to clear,
  making it easier for bacteria to flourish.
  Tobacco smoke further damages the lungs and
  create an increase in inflammatory cells, which
  makes it harder for the lungs to fight infection.

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6. Symptoms

• Many symptoms of COPD do not occur until severe
  lung damage has occurred. Damage to lungs will
  continue to get worse when smoking persists. The
  main symptom of chronic bronchitis is a daily
  cough and mucus production for at least three
  months a year for two years in a row. Other signs
  may include shortness of breath, wheezing, chest
  pain or tightness, a chronic cough, blue lips or
  fingernails, lack of energy, fatigue, swelling in
  limbs, and unexplained weight loss.

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5. Treatment

• Even more advanced stages of COPD can be treated
  with therapy to control symptoms, reduce the risk
  of complications and other diseases, and improve
  the quality of life. The best and most efficient
  way to treat smokers lung and COPD is to stop
  smoking.

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• As COPD can eventually lead to a reduction in
  the ability to breathe, ceasing smoking is the
  only way to prevent further damage. Nicotine
  replacement products and medications are
  available through a medical prescription. Therapy
  may be able to help with relapses.

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4. Medications

• Various medications are available to help treat
  COPD and smoking. Bronchodilators are drugs that
  usually involve an inhaler. They are designed to
  relax the muscles surrounding the airway
  passages, allowing for more air to get in.
  Inhaled corticosteroid medications are available
  to reduce inflammation of airway passages to
  prevent shortness of breath and asthma attacks.

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• Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors are a more recent
  type of drug that is used to relax the airways
  while reducing inflammation. Theophylline is a
  very efficient and inexpensive drug used to
  improve breathing in people with smokers lung or
  COPD.

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3. Lifestyle Changes

• Lifestyle changes are a good way to prevent the
  habits that lead to smoking. A behavioral
  therapist can help with decision making when the
  urge to smoke strikes. Avoiding chemicals such as
  artificial sweeteners, genetically modified
  ingredients, high-fructose corn syrup, excess
  sugar and salt, and junk food will help reduce
  inflammation in the lungs and help with
  breathing. Minimize the amount of processed meat,
  dairy, and wheat to help relieve mucus. Add
  ginger, garlic, cayenne pepper, and onions to the
  diet to decrease inflammation and clear mucus.

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2. Avoid Toxins

• Eliminating household toxins and improving the
  quality of air may help ease breathing. Toxins
  can be found in chemical laden cleansers,
  bleaches, detergents, and air fresheners. Replace
  these products with chemical-free brands that do
  not contain irritants. Also, aim for
  chemical-free body products and makeup as these
  can also be aggravating when inhaled.

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• Improve indoor air quality by vacuuming often and
  distilling essential oils, which have soothing
  antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
  The best essential oils to distil for a cough are
  lavender, lemon, peppermint, tea tree oil,
  oregano, and eucalyptus oil.

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• 1. Natural Remedies

Adding antitussive herbs to the diet can help
improve respiratory health. Demulcent herbs help
soothe irritated lung tissue and damaged airway
passages. Expectorant herbs can help loosen up
mucus, and antimicrobial herbs help fight
infections. Licorice root is one herb that
contains almost all of these properties. It is
available in tea or tablet form. Lobelia has also
been shown to clear the airways and promote
respiratory health. Supplementing with
serrapeptase enzymes has been shown to break up
scar tissue, which may help reverse smokers lung
damage.
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