Asthma And Smoking - A Dangerous Combination

Asthma and smoking is a topic that has been discussed much. This is because smoking is dangerous (even if you do not have asthma) especially when you suffer from asthma. When people suffer from asthma their airways become narrow constricted due to inflammation and mucus clogging. Smoking can be a trigger that brings on an asthma attack and it can also increase the frequency of the attacks. It can also cause extensive damage to the airways that can have lasting undesirable effects on the health of the person. This is why asthma and smoking is an undesirable combination. Why Smoking Is Injurious To Health Its amazing that despite the awareness that has been created and the many cautions that appear on the cigarette packets themselves, many people continue to smoke. Cigarette smoke is very harmful and has a very detrimental effect on the health of those who smoke as well as those around them. Lung damage is caused by the smoke as it can destroy the cilia present in the airway. The cilia are tiny hair-like structures that sweep the lungs clean of the dust and pollens each time a person coughs. When the cilia are destroyed, the lung are unable to clean out the irritants such as the pollen and the dust. That is why asthma and smoking can be a lethal combination. People with asthma are advised not to smoke as smoking can impair their lung function and make them susceptible to lung infections. Asthma and smoking can make the patient seek a higher dose of medication and the patients may react to other irritants more readily than if they were non-smokers or were not exposed to secondhand smoke. Parents of children who suffer from allergies should be extra careful around their children. The children must not be exposed to cigarette smoke as it can cause asthma in the children. The parents must not smoke when the children are around and they must keep their children away from public places where smoking is not prohibited. This is because second hand smoke can also easily trigger asthma attacks in adult and in children. If you have to spend some time in a public place where people may smoke be sure to take your reliever along with you. If you are a parent who smokes do so if you wish to increase the chances of respiratory illness and other chest infections in your children. Keep your home and car smoke free and make sure you opt to enjoy a day out with your children in a place where smoking is prohibited. Asthma and smoking is dangerous as smoking can negate the effect of your medications to a certain extent as well as making you use your reliever more often than if you stop smoking. It is recommended that you stop smoking unless you desire to make life-threatening trips to the emergency room. It is always better to have worked out an asthma management plan with your physician and make sure you do not smoke if you suffer from asthma. Asthma and smoking can get you into more trouble than is desirable and is definitely not worth the risk you put yourself or your loved ones in.By: Brian Logan