Lung damage begins early for smokers, as smoking quickly interferes with proper lung function. The condition of the lungs worsens as a person continues to smoke. Smokers usually realize the lung damage they are causing when they start to have breathing difficulties, such as shortness of breath during simple physical activities. Breathing problems can be just the beginning of more serious health problems as time goes on.
Chronic Bronchitis
Smokers start experiencing excess coughing from the time they become regular smokers, or even with the first cigarette. Coughing occurs more often as too much mucus is formed in the airways, the American Cancer Society explains. As the lungs produce mucus in larger amounts, the airways become inflamed and chronic coughing takes place. The airways get blocked by mucus and scarring, leading to lung infections. Chronic bronchitis develops from the infections or irritation, causing severe breathing problems and coughing. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are classified as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which causes slow death as people lose their ability to breathe.
Emphysema
Smoking causes the breathing problems of emphysema, a disease that breaks down the tiny air sacs on the surface of the lungs. The lung surface area is significantly decreased and takes in lower amounts of oxygen for the blood, according to the American Cancer Society. Early symptoms of emphysema include shortness of breath even when lying down, persistent mild coughing, fatigue and weight loss. People with emphysema often suffer from bouts of pneumonia because of weak lung function. Hospitalization and oxygen tanks are needed during the last stages of the disease. Emphysema cannot be reversed once it develops. Symptoms may slow down if smoking stops.
Lung Cancer
Most lung cancers are found in smokers and people exposed to secondhand smoke, according to the Mayo Clinic. Cigarette smoke contains many cancer-causing chemicals that damage the cells lining the lungs. The bodies of beginning smokers are able to repair early damage, but the cells are increasingly damaged over time to increase the risk of developing cancer. Quitting smoking at any time reduces the risk of lung cancer and other diseases caused by smoking, but smoking is so powerful that former smokers still have a higher risk of lung cancer than people who have never smoked, according to the National Cancer Institute. However, ex-smokers live longer than people who continue to smoke, and people diagnosed with cancer should quit, the institute advises. Quitting smoking helps the body heal faster and respond better to cancer treatment. Quitting smoking also reduces the risk of getting another cancer.
