5 dangerous diseases caused by smoking!

Tobacco use is a habit that seriously threatens the health of both individuals and society. World Health Organization data shows that approximately 8 million people lose their lives every year due to diseases linked to tobacco use, and 1.2 million people die due to passive smoking despite not using tobacco products themselves.  

The use of tobacco and tobacco products is a primary factor in the development of lung cancer and other cancers, as well as the emergence of many respiratory diseases such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and recurrent lower and upper respiratory tract infections.

The three most important symptoms of these diseases are known to be a cough lasting longer than 3 weeks, shortness of breath, and phlegm (which may also be bloody). Prof. Dr. Füsun Ülger from the Department of Chest Diseases at Memorial Ankara Hospital provided information about the harms of tobacco and tobacco use ahead of "May 31 World No Tobacco Day". 

SMOKING OPENS THE DOOR TO THESE DISEASES!

The use of tobacco and tobacco products negatively affects lung health. From the moment it is used, it begins to damage all organs. The main diseases it causes are;

• COPD 
• Lung cancer 
• Recurrent lower and upper respiratory tract infections 
• Other organ cancers 
• Cardiovascular diseases 
  

PASSIVE SMOKING CAN ALSO CAUSE LUNG DISEASES

An individual who does not use tobacco products can also contract lung diseases through passive smoking. Tobacco harms not only the person using it but also those around them. Those in the risk group are especially those with childhood exposure and women. Smoking at home or in indoor environments causes asthma and lung diseases in children. Non-smoking women can also become COPD patients. 

90% OF THOSE WHO CONTRACT LUNG CANCER CONSUME TOBACCO 

It can cause cancers of the liver, bladder, tongue, lip, larynx, and esophagus, primarily lung cancer. 90% of those with lung cancer and COPD are smokers. The increase in the incidence of COPD in women is proportional to the increase in smoking. Tobacco and tobacco products also include hookah, roll-your-own cigarettes, and electronic cigarettes.

Electronic cigarettes are thought to be harmless, but the damage they cause to the respiratory system is very dangerous for young people whose lung development is not yet complete. The long-term effects will become clearer, but the effects are already being seen now. In people who use electronic cigarettes, conditions such as lung collapse and fluid accumulation in the lung lining can occur. 

A PHYSICIAN SHOULD BE CONSULTED FOR COMPLAINTS LASTING LONGER THAN 3 WEEKS 

Patients most often present to the hospital with symptoms of a cough lasting longer than 3 weeks, bloody phlegm, and shortness of breath. The most important tests used in the diagnosis of these diseases are chest X-rays and pulmonary function tests. The pulmonary function test is the most important guide in the diagnosis of asthma and COPD.

A chest X-ray helps in detecting masses or nodules in the lungs. It is recommended that smokers over the age of 50 who have complaints such as a cough lasting longer than 3 weeks, shortness of breath, and phlegm (which may also be bloody) have a tomography scan. If a patient under 50 has symptoms of phlegm and coughing, further tests may also be required. People who have been smoking for more than 20 years should have regular annual chest X-rays and pulmonary function tests. 

AWARENESS MUST BE RAISED TO PREVENT ADDICTION!

It is necessary to instill the harms of tobacco product use in people, prevent the addiction of the user, and guide them toward quitting. It is very important to raise awareness, especially among young users. Some patients are both afraid of the effects of smoking and continue to smoke due to addiction.

They should be told that many methods are used today and informed that it is possible to quit if support is received. Awareness meetings should be held in workplaces. Physicians also emphasize to patients that they should first quit smoking.