Lung Problems ~ Disorders

Following is a list of the more common lung disorders, most of which are associated with smoking and all of which are aggravated by smoking:

• Asthma:
  An inflammatory disorder of the airways, Asthma is characterized by periodic attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.

  Asthma irritates the airways to the lungs, restricting airflow to the lungs. During an attack, the muscles of the bronchial tree become tight and the lining of the air passages swells. This causes the wheezing sound that results. Mucus production is increased, creating a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses.

  Asthma attacks can last minutes to days. Attacks are separated by symptom-free periods. Shortness of breath is common in chronic cases.

  Asthma is often triggered by allergens inhaled into the lungs, such as pet dander and dust mites, but cockroach allergens, molds and pollens can also trigger attacks. Respiratory infections, cold air and even exercise can induce attacks, as well as can tobacco smoke, pollutants, stress and certain foods.

• Chronic bronchitis:
  Excessive bronchial mucus characterizes Chronic bronchitis, together with an inflammation of the bronchi, which are the main air passages in the lungs.

  Cigarette smoking is the chief cause of this disease, but second-hand smoke is now known to be a contributing cause. Exacerbating the problem are infections, air pollutants and allergies. No question, the longer and heavier smoking prevails, or contact with secondhand smoke becomes, the more severe chornic bronchitis tends to be.

  Chronic bronchitis is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease affecting the lungs, and is grouped with emphysema and asthma as one of the leading causes of death in the U.S.

• Chylous effusions:
  A leakage of white fluid into the chest cavity, associated with LAM

• Dyspnea:
  Shortness of breath, associated with LAM.

• Emphysema:
  An insidious lung disease which damages the air sacs known as alveoli in the lungs. The air sacs are rendered incapable of deflating completely (known as hyperinflation) and are therefore not able to fill with fresh air. This results in an inadequate supply of oxygen to the body.

  Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of emphysema. It is now believe that smoke and other pollutants cause the release of certain chemicals within the lungs that then damage the air sacs. This damage increases and worsens over time, affecting the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs as described above.

  There is a naturally occurring substance in the lungs that protects against damage known as alpha-1 antitrypsin. A deficiency exists in some individuals, increasing their risk of Emphysema.

• Hemoptysis:
  Usually a symptom of LAM, Hemoptysis is the coughing up of blood or sputum that is blood-stained.

• LAM (Lymphangioleiomyomatosis):
  This rather rare disorder is characterized by an unusual kind of muscle cell that invades the tissues of the lungs, airways, blood vessels and lymph vessels. These muscle cells lump together over time, obstructing the flow of air and prevent the lungs from being able to provide oxygen to the body. It is possible LAM is associated with the genetic disorder, Tuberous Sclerosis.

  LAM affects women exclusively, usually between puberty and menopause. Many of the early symptoms of LAM are similar to other lung diseases and diagnosis in the early stages may be difficult as a result. Blood tests, x-rays, tomography, biopsies and pulmonary function tests are among the means available for determining LAM.

  LAM is progressive and usually leads to death from pulmonary disorder within 10 years.

• Pneumothoraces:
  A leakage of air into the chest cavity, associated with LAM.

• Sarcoidosis:
  The cause of sarcoidosis remains unknown. It is a lung disease in which inflammation of the lymph nodes, liver, eyes, skin and lungs occurs.

  Granulomas, which are clusters of macrophages and lymphocytes result. Hypersensitivity is a suspected cause, as are genetic predisposition, infections and certain chemicals.

As though our lungs were not exposed to enough natural predators, smoking claims millions of lives every year in the form of lung cancer.

A tragically large and growing number of babies are born prematurely due to prenatal maternal smoking, with equal blame shared by second-hand tobacco carcinogens exhaled from the lungs of other smokers.

Smoking now exacts a damning $150 billion dollars on Americans alone in health-care costs and lost productivity time.

When we smoke, we are exposing our lungs to at least 43 cancer-causing chemicals (200 by some counts). Smoking is the direct cause of most cases of emphysema and chronic bronchitis and is directly responsible for 89% of lung cancer cases. If you smoke, your wounds heal much more slowly, you can be made infertile and develop peptic ulcers, not to mention that it is the major factor leading to coronary heart disease and stroke.

An estimated 20 to 30 percent of low-birth weight babies come from smoking mothers. Smoking moms account for some 14% of preterm deliveries and about 10% of infant deaths from all causes. One research indicates that even babies of smoking mothers who seem to be born healthy can have narrowed airways.

Smoking moms are also associated with a range of problems in children, from ear infections and a higher disposition to asthma and colds, to sudden infant death syndrome.

Second-hand smoke is now estimated to cause lower respiratory infection in some 150,000 to 300,000 infants under 18 months old.

Everybody's lungs get a favor when we quit smoking.

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