Asthma and Smoking: Key Insights to Understand
People with asthma should be mindful of triggers that can exacerbate their symptoms. Among the most harmful stimuli is smoke, regardless of its source – cigars, cigarettes, pipes, or vaping devices – even secondhand smoke, can pose significant risks.
According to pulmonary medicine specialist Rachel Taliercio, DO, smoking leads to a continuous state of stress in the lungs of asthma patients, enhancing their risk for asthma attacks. Inhaling smoke, even daily actions that involve taking just one or two cigarettes, can lead to a vast array of complications.
The irritating substances from smoke settle in the moist lining of the respiratory tract, causing ongoing asthma symptoms. These concurrent symptoms mean that an individual with asthma and a smoking habit faces a higher risk of asthma attacks than someone with the condition who abstains from smoking.
Moreover, smoke-related substances increase mucus production, cause damage to airways, and heighten the risk of lung cancer and other lung diseases. Moreover, secondhand smoke can have equally detrimental effects, affecting even those not directly engaged in smoking activities.
Children are considered to be at a higher risk due to their still-developing lungs and smaller lung capacity. Exposure to secondhand smoke can lead to the development of respiratory illnesses in both children and adults.
Quitting smoking is essential for people with asthma to improve their airway condition and lung health. Despite not curing asthma altogether, doing so can significantly reduce airway irritation and lung inflammation, lowering the frequency and severity of asthma symptoms and attacks.
Quitting smoking is often a complex process, and seeking help is frequently beneficial. A healthcare provider can guide you toward resources for quitting smoking, such as nicotine replacement aids like gums or patches.
Individuals seeking to quit smoking should make their decision known to their family members and support groups. When spouses or other family members smoke, explaining the risks involved with smoking can encourage them to quit as well. Other strategies to help quit smoking and improve asthma control include:
- Eliminating smoking-related items such as cigarettes, vapes, filters, lighters, and ashtrays
- Joining a support group or smoking cessation class
- Staying away from situations that may trigger smoking urges
- Enhancing mental and emotional health
- Practicing relaxation and deep-breathing techniques
- Staying active
Improving your lifestyle can be life-changing for anyone with asthma, as quitting smoking will take some weight off your lungs and make breathing easier.
Health and wellness are significantly enhanced when people with asthma, particularly children, abstain from smoking, as it reduces airway irritation, lung inflammation, and the risk of asthma attacks. Science reveals that smoking leads to deleterious respiratory conditions, including increased mucus production, airway damage, and even lung cancer. Furthermore, therapies and treatments for asthma management become more effective and less frequent when a person quits smoking. Engaging in health-and-wellness strategies, such as support groups, relaxation techniques, and regular exercise can facilitate the quitting process and improve overall lung health.
