Time and again the message of caution that smoking is injurious to health has been propagated over various mediums of communication. Smoking alone puts an individual at the risk of developing over 50 percent of serious illnesses.  Some of these illnesses can be fatal and others can cause long-term irreversible damage to your health. Second-hand smoking is also as good as direct smoking and exposes individuals to the same health risks as smokers. In fact, the death rate for any kind of smoker is two to three times higher than that for non-smokers. Half of the smokers eventually die as a result of their smoking. Despite these dramatic and proven health risks, there are many people who find it hard to kick the habit and put themselves at a high risk of developing smoking-related diseases.

 Let us explore the top 3 ill effects of smoking:

 1. Lung Cancer: Smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer. It doesn’t matter if a person smokes only one cigarette or multiple times a day, or only smokes occasionally, the chances of developing lung cancer increase for sure. Smoking produces more than 4,000 chemicals including carbon dioxide, tars, and nicotine and these are capable of transforming normal cells into cancer cells over time. The cancer risk is directly proportional to the number of cigarettes one smokes every day. People who quit smoking have a lower risk of developing lung cancer, and this risk gradually decreases over time. Do not continue the habit by thinking that you are already too far in. Stopping can slowly reduce and reverse the damage already caused to your body.

 There is a misunderstanding among people that smoking can only lead to mouth cancer. However, smoking can contribute to cancer anywhere in the body and lung cancer is one the most common and dangerous ones caused directly by smoking.  

 Symptoms of Lung cancer will show up only when the disease is in an advanced stage. Some of the symptoms are:

• Bone pain
• Shortness of breath
• Weight loss
• Coughing up blood

 2. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): When we smoke, the airways, air sacs, and the lining of the lungs get damaged. Though long-term exposure to lung irritants can lead to COPD, a common risk factor of it is smoking. The airways lose their ability to stretch and shrink back and the walls between the air sacs are destroyed. In the initial stages, there will be hardly any symptoms or mild symptoms which worsen over time. The symptoms are: 

• Difficulty in breathing
• Wheezing
• Tightness in the breath
• Prolonged cough
• Breathing difficulty 

3. Pneumonia: Our body has a natural defense system against bacteria and viruses. But when you smoke, the body’s defense system gets compromised. With compromised immunity, you are susceptible to any infection. The action of the cilia or hair-like projections in the trachea to sweep fluids and any foreign particles out of the airways gets impaired leading to pneumonia.

 Symptoms of Pneumonia are:

• Fever
• Coughing up mucus
• Chest pain 

Early detection is the key:

Catching the above three diseases in their early stage often allows for a higher likelihood of successful treatment. This is also when the treatment is easy and the body’s response to it will be more favorable. Pneumonia, COPD, and lung cancer are closely related and have similar symptoms. The common culprit of smoking can worsen the symptoms and the impact of these diseases on the body. The lungs, which is the primary organ in the respiratory system, bears the brunt of the attack of such diseases.

 It is also a known fact that COPD is a significant risk factor for lung cancer. That’s the reason why to prevent both the diseases, COPD screening in smokers should be started at the earliest, and quitting smoking should be the first thing to do.

 Why is prevention important?

All the above diseases if not prevented in their early stages can be fatal and a key factor to this is to quit smoking immediately. All those patients who get hospitalized when the symptoms worsen lament over holding on to the unhealthy practice of smoking. It will all be fine until the day your body says it can no longer take smoking and then teach you the smoke-free lesson at the hospital bed in the hardest way possible. Not to forget the cost of treatment and the valuable time you end up losing due to the unhealthy practice. It’s not only the above three diseases, but smoking is also linked to diseases of nearly all the organs of the body.

 Remember that you are not only compromising your health by smoking but are also threatening the lives of people near you, especially children, pregnant women, and the elderly as passive smoking is as harmful as taking the real puff.

The post Lung Cancer, COPD & Pneumonia: the triple threat of Smoking appeared first on PuneDiary.Com.

With the increase in pollution levels throughout the country and the rise in the number of smokers, lung cancer has become more prevalent in the younger age groups. It is no longer limited to smokers to develop this type of cancer and a lot of non-smokers and passive smokers are also falling prey to it.  Air pollution is considered to be a major attributor to lung cancer in India, especially among people below the age group of 40.

Rapid urbanization with rising in-vehicle use increased construction activities, plastic burning, stubble burning in a few parts of the country has increased the PM level in the air thereby leading to multiple lung-related issues. Using coal, wood fire for cooking in a few pockets of the rural areas has also exposed people to heavy smoke inside the house. Tobacco usage, lack of awareness about lung problems are leading to increased lung cancer cases in the country.

The number of non-smokers with lung cancer is rising every year. A sedentary lifestyle along with obesity, alcohol consumption is also adding to the risk factor. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the reasons for lung cancer and take the necessary precautions to avoid this.

Lung cancer is the fourth largest killer in India and the major reason for this is the lack of awareness and ignorance of people. Early diagnosis plays a big role in determining how cancer progresses in your body. Early detection not only reduces its effect but also help you treat and recover fully. Late detection or late diagnosis at an advanced stage can reduce the chances of cancer getting better.

Listed below are the few early symptoms of lung cancer which get ignored by many.

• Persisting cough: Be on alert when you develop a cough and it stays for long. Cough associated with cold or other respiratory infection will get cured in a week or two. A stubborn cough can be an indication of a serious health problem.
• Change in cough: Pay attention to the way you cough –  chronic cough, particularly if you smoke. If you’re coughing more often, your cough is deeper or sounds hoarse, or you’re coughing up blood an unusual amount of mucus it is advised to get tested.
• Change in breathing: Shortness of breath can also be a symptom of lung cancer. Changes in the pace of breathing can occur if lung cancer blocks or narrows an airway, or if fluid from a lung tumor builds up in the chest.
• Wheezing: When airways become inflamed or blocked, there will be a whistling sort of sound when you breathe.
• Pain in the chest: Chronic cough can lead to chest pain and also a person in the initial stages of lung cancer can develop pain near the chest, shoulder, and back.
• Unintended weight loss: A sudden weight loss is always concerning. Due to the energy taken away by the cancer cells one might feel unexplained weight loss during this time.
• Bone pain: An unrecognized or untreated lung cancer can spread to bones and may produce pain and the back and other body parts. This pain may worsen during the night when you rest on your back.

Following are a few tips which can help in avoiding lung cancer

1. Quit smoking –Smoking can lead to several lung-related problems. Therefore, it is advised to stop smoking.
2. Avoid passive smoke – If your family members or friends smoke, convince them to quit. Also, do not be around them while they smoke.
3. Avoid pollution: Wear a mask when you step out of the house to save you from air pollution
4. Beware of indoor pollution: Using any kind of chemicals inside the house, exposure to the pollutants inside the house needs to be avoided
5. Exercise regularly: Sedentary lifestyle can lead to several health problems. Regular exercise for 30 minutes everyday helps in maintain good lung health
6. Eat nutritious food: Choose a healthy diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables. Food with vitamins and nutrients is recommended. Avoid taking large doses of vitamins in supplement form.

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms associated with lung disease, consult the doctor immediately. In most cases, the ignorance and delay in diagnosis is the cause for increased mortality.

The post Be-aware of the symptoms of lung cancer – Early detection can help in effective treatment appeared first on PuneDiary.Com.