In general, the term smoker’s cough refers to chronic respiratory diseases caused by tobacco use. Smoker’s cough, as harmless as the term sounds, is a dangerous disease that slowly and incurably destroys lung tissue.
What is a smoker’s cough?
The respiratory tract and lungs are permanently damaged by years of tobacco use in the form of cigarettes or cigars. All toxins are also deposited in the lungs and released from there into the blood. Smoker’s cough is one of the main symptoms of COPD (chronic obstructive bronchitis). Smoker’s cough is characterized by increased secretion in the respiratory tract and corresponding coughing with sputum with simultaneous slight onset of shortness of breath. Regular coughing in the morning after getting up can also be an indication of a developing smoker’s cough. If this is not treated, in the worst case it can lead to serious chronic respiratory diseases and irreversible damage to the lungs.
Causes
As the name suggests, the main cause of smoker’s cough is smoking. The respiratory tract and lungs are permanently damaged by years of tobacco use in the form of cigarettes or cigars. At the same time, passive smoking is not less dangerous than active smoking. Smoking the water pipes known as bongs or shisha is also harmful, as tobacco is also used here. Tobacco contains several hundred toxins that enter the lungs together with the tobacco smoke. The lungs become polluted, the cilia stick together and the lung tissue is permanently damaged and destroyed. All toxins are also deposited in the lungs and released from there into the blood. As a result, they are distributed throughout the body via the bloodstream. In many cases, smoker’s cough is causative for other diseases.
Diseases with this symptom
- COPD
- Smoker’s Lung
Typical symptoms and signs
- Strong and constant cough, especially in the morning
- Sputum, partly bloody or black
- Possibly shortness of breath and shortness of breath
Diagnosis and course
Smoker’s cough is often not taken seriously by the sufferers, as the signs of it develop gradually and are often initially hardly noticed. In most cases, symptoms such as a mild irritating cough that occurs daily, which gradually becomes stronger and is accompanied by sputum in the advanced stage, are initially apparent. As mucus production steadily increases and more and more toxins are deposited in the lungs, the respiratory volume is reduced in the long term, leading to the appearance of shortness of breath. Coughing, especially in the morning after getting up, is very pronounced and sometimes painful. Breathing sounds are also audible in smoker’s cough sufferers. Since the development of smoker’s cough often takes several years, the course of this disease can be described as chronic. Without appropriate treatment, the development of smoker’s cough or COPD continues to progress. As a result, frequent airway inflammation and narrowing of the airways occur. Lung function is restricted, which means that the blood is no longer supplied with sufficient oxygen. This in turn leads to an undersupply of oxygen to the brain, heart and other organs. Heart attacks, strokes and lung cancer can be the result of a smoker’s cough. A doctor should be consulted at the very first symptoms that indicate a smoker’s cough. After taking the patient’s medical history, the physician performs a so-called pulmonary function test, which can provide information about the extent to which the patient’s respiratory volume is already impaired. The diagnosis of smoker’s cough or COPD is ultimately made by a pulmonologist, who carries out further lung function tests. For example, to detect any damage to the lungs early on, X-rays are taken and an MRI is performed.
Complications
A smoker’s cough is characterized by a viscous sputum and usually develops in the context of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which has numerous complications. This chronic bronchitis increases susceptibility to infection, which can worsen symptoms. In the worst case, pneumonia can spread systemically, leading to life-threatening sepsis.Furthermore, the alveoli can overinflate and emphysema can develop. As a result, not enough oxygen reaches the body and cyanosis occurs. There is also a risk that the alveoli will burst due to increased air trapping and the lung will collapse as a result (pneumothorax). In this case, only one lung is available for gas exchange, and the affected person suffers from shortness of breath. In addition, emphysema increases the pressure in the pulmonary arteries, so that the heart has to do more work, which can result in heart failure (right heart failure). The risk of suffering a heart attack is increasingly increased. Also the probability of a stroke or cardiac arrhythmia is drastically increased. The cigarette smoke also destroys the lung tissue, it becomes scarred and can no longer expand sufficiently, the affected person no longer gets enough air and suffers from shortness of breath. In addition, COPD increases the risk of developing secondary diseases such as diabetes or osteoporosis.
When should you go to the doctor?
Smoker’s cough should be clarified by a doctor in any case. Often, a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is hidden behind the coughing attacks, which should definitely be treated medically. This is especially true for sufferers who have had pneumonia in the past, as there is an increased risk of COPD following a viral illness. Typical smoker’s cough must also be clarified if it occurs daily or even disturbs nighttime sleep. A quick visit to the doctor is recommended if the cough is an agonizing, dry cough that may even be associated with bloody sputum or chest pain. If smoker’s cough occurs in conjunction with shortness of breath or severe chest pain, severe lung disease is suspected. In this case, a visit to a pulmonologist or lung specialist is recommended. If the smoker’s cough is severe, persists longer than usual, or is associated with intense discomfort, an emergency physician should be called. There may be a pulmonary hemorrhage or acute pneumonia that needs immediate treatment.
Treatment and therapy
Important part in the therapy of smoker’s cough is absolute abstention from tobacco smoke in any form. This is the only way to prevent further damage. Smoker’s cough or COPD cannot be cured. The symptoms can be treated, but the lungs are permanently damaged and cannot regain their original function. Antibiotics are among the medications used to treat irritation and inflammation. Supportive oxygen therapies can increase the oxygen supply to the body and thus improve the patient’s general condition. Respiratory physiotherapy, in which the patient learns to optimize his posture and use special breathing techniques, can also bring relief. So-called PEP devices are also used. These create exhalation pressure to strengthen the airways and make it easier to cough up secretions. If these treatment methods are unsuccessful, surgery is the last resort, and is used to try to widen the narrowed airways again.
Prevention
The best way to prevent a smoker’s cough is to give up smoking altogether. Smokers should give up their vice as soon as possible to avoid further damaging the lungs. A good measure, and to keep lungs and respiratory system healthy, is sufficient physical activity in the fresh air.
This is what you can do yourself
If smoker’s cough is suspected, a visit to the doctor is recommended first. Accompanying this, various measures can be taken to alleviate the symptoms acutely and reduce them in the long term. In the short term, the cough can be relieved by temporarily stopping smoking and drinking enough water. Breathing techniques and regular exercise lead to an improvement of the symptoms in the long term. Endurance sports in particular are recommended, as they promote breathing and contribute to the rapid breakdown of deposits on the lungs. In addition, cigarette consumption should be stopped or at least reduced to give the lungs a chance to regenerate. Alternatively, it is possible to switch to the electric cigarette, although this can lead to increased smoker’s cough, especially in the first few days.Various herbs such as sage, eucalyptus, peppermint or thyme have a soothing effect, which are best boiled as a tea, inhaled or applied with compresses. Morning smoker’s cough can be relieved by simply coughing up the mucus. A long walk has a similar effect and causes the buildup to subside. If the smoker’s cough persists, further action should first be discussed with a medical professional.
