Smoking and respiratory diseases go hand in hand.

There are plenty of diseases caused by smoking, but

the most common diseases are of the respiratory system. The more a smoker smokes, the more he is
exposed to these deadly diseases. Smoking harms the respiratory system badly, and can cause many
serious complications. Maybe an overview of the deadly respiratory diseases will help the addicts get
over this deadly addiction. Let's have a quick look at some of the commonly asked FAQs, concerning this
topic.

What are the Functions of the Respiratory System?
The most important function of the respiratory system is its role in the breathing process. The organs of
the respiratory system work collectively to make breathing or respiration a success. Respiration is a
combination of the process of inhalation and exhalation, that is taking in and breathing out of air,
respectively. The lung is the chief organ that performs the essential function of respiration. The organs
that make the respiratory system protect the lungs from the damage from smoke, dust, and other
chemicals.

How Does Smoking Harm the Respiratory System?
A smoker takes in the smoke from the cigarette into his body, this is obvious. The smoke then passes
through the organs and airways of the lungs, and subsequently reaches the lungs. The smoke consists of
chemicals like nicotine and tobacco. These are the two most dangerous ingredients in the smoke that
damage the lungs and other organs of the respiratory system. The build up of these diseases is slow and
dangerous; and the chemicals in the respiratory tract causes diseases.

Smoking and Respiratory Problems
This was the overview of the respiratory system. Now comes the crux of this article: diseases of the
respiratory system caused by smoking. The minor effects of smoking on the respiratory system are
throat and bronchial irritation (infection of the airways), that gives the huffiness in the voice. With time,
these minor problems transform themselves into problems like bronchitis and pneumonia, asthma, and
emphysema. Serious and fatal diseases of the respiratory system are COPD and lung cancer. A brief
description of each disease is given below.

Bronchitis: Bronchitis affects the air passages of the lungs. It also affects the nose, sinuses, and
eventually the lungs. The common symptoms associated with bronchitis are chest discomfort, fever, and
fatigue.

Pneumonia: It is a fact that smokers are at a high risk of pneumonia, and smoking is a high risk factor
that causes pneumonia. Chills, fever, shortness of breath, headache, and loss of appetite, are some of
the common symptoms of pneumonia.

Tuberculosis: Though the fact has not been established, there is a serious doubt that smoking does
contributes to the occurrence of tuberculosis in a person. Serious symptoms associated with
tuberculosis are coughing (with blood), fever, and excessive weight loss.

Asthma: As the smoke enters the body, it harms the airway passages, and persistent smoking leads to
the swelling and irritation of the airways. This leads to cough and shortness of breath. The chemicals in
the smoke more often lead to this blockage of passage, and increase the chance of asthma.

COPD: COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A person suffering from COPD faces
obstruction during the breathing process. There are two main forms of COPD, chronic bronchitis and
emphysema. In chronic bronchitis, there is persistent cough which is accompanied by mucus, and in
emphysema, the lungs are affected and get destroyed over time. Coughing (with mucus), fatigue and
respiratory infections, are the common symptoms of COPD and emphysema.

Cancer: Smoking is said to be the single biggest cause of lung cancer. Moreover, it also increases the
chance of other cancers like cancer of the mouth, larynx and pharynx. Persistent smokers are at a high
risk of respiratory system organ cancers. The smoke contains at least 80 different cancer causing
chemicals, that harm the respiratory tract and the lungs. Cancer is an incurable disease, and only
quitting smoking can help prevent the occurrence of cancer.

A smoker also runs a high risk of influenza, and persistent smoking can lead to influenza related
infections too. You can see that all the above-mentioned diseases are dangerous and can prove fatal. In
case of serious complications of these diseases, you need to take serious treatment to cure the
symptoms. All these are the long term effects of smoking. Though these diseases do not affect each and
every smoker, there is no valid point in risking. Smoking is a dangerous habit that can cause much more
harm than these listed diseases. So quit smoking and secure a happy and trouble-free future for yourself
and your family.
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/smoking-related-respiratory-diseases.html
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung affecting primarily
the microscopic air sacs known as alveoli.
[1][2]
It is usually caused by
infection with viruses or bacteria and less commonly
other microorganisms, certain drugs and other conditions such
asautoimmune diseases.
[1][3]
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB (short for tubercle bacillus), in the past
also called phthisis, phthisis pulmonalis, or consumption, is a
common, and in many cases fatal, infectious disease caused by
various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium
tuberculosis.
[1]
Tuberculosis typically attacks the lungs, but can also
affect other parts of the body.



0
5 Diseases & Disorders in the
Circulatory System
Last Updated: Jan 22, 2014 | By Kalli Harrison
High blood pressure can indicate heart and circulatory diseases. Photo Credit blood pressure
image by Zbigniew Nowak from Fotolia.com
Overview
The circulatory system, or cardiovascular system, is made up of the heart, veins,
arteries and capillaries. This system is responsible for carrying oxygen and
nutrients to all parts of the body. Heart disease and other circulatory problems are
major sources of disability and death. According to the American Heart
Association, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United
States.
Aortic Aneurysm
The aorta is the major blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart.
Weakening of the blood vessel wall causes a bulge, called an aneurysm. Large or
fast growing aneurysms can rupture, causing significant loss of blood into the
abdominal cavity. Most aneurysms occur in the abdominal area, but some begin
higher up in the chest. Usually, aortic aneurysms do not cause symptoms. If
symptoms do occur, they may include back, chest or abdominal pain. A person
might be aware of a pulsating feeling around the naval area. Treatment options
range from watchful waiting to surgery, depending on the size and location of the
aneurysm.
You Might Also Like
Little Pimple-Like Bumps
Cardio 101: How To Use
A List of Low Calorie
How to Clean Ears With
The Best Exercises for
Core Strength Training
The Average Height and
8 Foods You Should Avoid
How to Remove Dark Spots
Home Remedies to Reduce
Foods for the
The Short & Long-Term
How to Increase Blood
What Are the Three Types
What Can Smoking Do to
How to Improve Your
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, develops when plaque builds up in the
arteries. Plaques are made up of cells, connective tissue and certain fats. These
deposits occur in patches along the inner walls of large and medium sized arteries.
Growth of plaques can block blood flow and oxygen to the affected areas, possibly
leading to a heart attack or stroke. Smoking and high blood pressure are two major
risk factors for developing atherosclerosis.
Sponsored Links
o Kawasaki For Sale
See 6,600+ Discounted Motorcycles. Grab The Best Kawasaki For You!
www.ayosdito.ph
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis -- DVT -- occurs when blood clots form in one of the deep
veins -- typically the thigh or calf. Many people with the condition do not have
symptoms, but they may have leg pain, swelling or skin discoloration in the
affected area. DVT can be life-threatening if the clot travels to the lungs -- a
condition called pulmonary embolism. This condition causes shortness of breath
and pain with deep breathing. Factors contributing to the formation of a DVT are
being bed ridden, prolonged sitting, trauma to the area, pregnancy and obesity.
Medication is typically used to break up clots.
Polyarteritis Nodosa
Ployarteritis nodosa -- PAN -- is a serious inflammatory disease of the small to
medium sized arteries. Many body systems are involved, including the skin, central
nervous system, heart, kidneys and intestinal tract. PAN is commonly associated
with hepatitis B infection, but in most cases the cause for the illness is unknown.
Symptoms of PAN are quite variable, although fever, night sweats, weight loss,
fatigue, and muscle and joint aches are typical. Treatment of the disease depends
on the extent of the illness, and which parts of the body are involved.
Corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive drugs are often used.
Arteriovenous Malformations
Arteriovenous malformations -- AVMs -- are abnormal tangles of blood vessels
within an area of the circulatory system. They typically develop before or right
after birth. AVMs that form in the brain or spinal cord can result in particularly
severe problems and even death. Most people with AVMs in the brain or spinal
cord experience few, if any symptoms. If they do occur, it is due to a decrease in
oxygen to the area, bleeding, or pressing on a vital structure. Headaches, seizures
and paralysis are some possible side effects.
Sponsored Links