Cilia—tiny, brush-like hairs that sweep mucus from your airways—may be temporarily paralyzed or even destroyed. Normally, mucus helps carry germs and dirt out of your lungs. Damage done to the cilia increases your risk of getting respiratory infections. Bronchial tubes—airways that connect your windpipe to your lungs—may become inflamed and irritated. Extra mucus is produced, and the combination of swelling and mucus clogs the airways. If the problem becomes constant, it may lead to a smoker's cough and chronic bronchitis. Bronchioles—smaller airways that branch off the bronchial tubes—may be affected, too. Changes in the small airways and lung tissues may lead to shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness. Alveoli—small, stretchy air sacs at the ends of the bronchioles—may also be damaged. The crucial exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs there. Smoking may gradually make the air sacs larger, fewer in number, and less elastic. Eventually, it becomes harder for them to move oxygen into your body and carbon dioxide out. The result is emphysema. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) is a general term for lung conditions that get worse over time and make breathing more difficult. The two main conditions comprising the disorder are chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Most people with COPD have both. Smoking is the number one cause of COPD. It's responsible for as many as 8 out of 10 COPD-related deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The closeness of the connection is apparent when you look at this list of common COPD symptoms: If you're a smoker with COPD, quitting smoking is the most important thing you can do for your health. Soon after you quit, cilia may start to regrow and regain their functionality. However, some other damage, such as long-term injury to the air sacs, is irreversible. Talk to your doctor about other treatment options, which include:
You know that smoking isn't good for you. But what exactly happens inside your lungs when you take a drag on a cigarette?
The COPD connection
Understanding the effects of smoking helps you see where these symptoms come from. It also helps explain why you may be prone to getting more frequent and severe respiratory infections.
Managing the symptoms
Once you have COPD, it's with you for life. But treatment can ease your symptoms, slow worsening of your disease, and help you stay more active.
Disclaimer This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor and is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. Philips disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.