Asthma is a permanent, chronic lung disease. According to the Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, it affects over 22 million people in the U.S. Nearly six million are children. The exact cause of asthma is not known, but it is currently believed to be a combination of genetics and environmental exposure to airborne allergens and irritants, like dust mites, mold, and second hand smoke. To keep asthma under control, asthmatics need to avoid all allergens, irritants, and potential triggers.
Asthma Symptoms Need to be Treated Quickly
The airways that carry oxygen in and out of the lungs can react strongly to substances in the air. When a person with asthma breathes in those substances, the airway becomes inflamed and the muscles around the airway tighten, causing the opening to narrow. Cells inside the airway then begin making more mucus than normal, further narrowing the tube. This chain reaction results in asthma symptoms.
The most common asthma symptoms are:
- wheezing
- chronic cough
- chest tightness
- shortness of breath.
Since a severe asthma attack often requires emergency medical care and can cause death if not acted upon immediately and appropriately, it is vital to treat asthmatic symptoms as soon as noticed with an emergency rescue inhaler prescribed by a physician. However, not everyone who suffers symptoms has asthma, so it is important to see a physician for a physical exam and lung function test as soon as possible.
How Second Hand Smoke Affects Asthma
Second hand smoke, also known as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), is the exhaled smoke from cigarette smoking as well as the smoke coming from the end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar. It contains more than 4,000 chemicals and compounds, including several known carcinogens. Cigarette smoke damages the tiny hair-like structures in the airway called cilia.
Cilia catch dust and mucus and remove them from the airways. When damaged, cilia can no longer do their job so dust and mucus accumulate, further irritating and narrowing inflamed bronchial passages. For an asthma patient this means more colds, and more episodes of bronchitis and pneumonia. Most importantly, second hand smoke reduces the effectiveness of asthma medication, making it harder to keep symptoms under control.
Protection From Second Hand Smoke
The smoke coming from the end of a cigarette is more damaging than what a smoker inhales. It contains tar, cyanide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, nickel, and lead, as well as nicotine. These dangerous particles linger in the air for hours. When breathed in, they can find their way into the bloodstream. Smoke residue clings to a smoker’s skin, clothes, and hair, but it also gets on furniture and carpeting. It poses risks for asthmatics, as well.
Protection from second hand smoke requires taking an active stand.
- Do not allow smoking in the home.
- Do not allow smoking in the car.
- Keep a safe distance from those who are smoking.
- Try to patronize only smoke-free facilities.
No Safe Amount of Second Hand Smoke
Asthma is a permanent, chronic lung disease that needs to be taken seriously. There is no safe amount of second hand smoke. Any exposure will make asthma more severe. Plus, smoke gets all over everything. An air conditioner or an open window will not clean the air, neither will an air filter. If a person with asthma comes in contact with second hand smoke, or smoke residue, safety measures like changing clothes or washing the skin and hair need to be taken immediately.
To keep asthma under control, and avoid a potentially dangerous situation, environmental issues need to be dealt with quickly and appropriately. All potential irritants and triggers must be avoided if possible. There are many damaging effects from second hand smoke. If asthma treatment is to be effective, and not compromised, an active course of protection needs to become a permanent part of the asthmatic’s life.
References
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, “What is Asthma?” (accessed April 16, 2010)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Secondhand Smoke,” (accessed April 20, 2010)
WebMD, WebMD.com, “Smoking and Asthma,” (accessed April 20, 2010)
Mayo Clinic, mayoclinic.com, “What’s in Secondhand Smoke,” (accessed April 20, 2010)
Oregon Asthma Resource Bank, patient education handout, “Asthma and Secondhand Smoke,” (accessed April 20, 2010)
National Cancer Institute, “Secondhand Smoke: Questions and Answers,” (accessed April 20, 2010)
Vickie Ewell - Vickie has worked with autistic individuals for 9 years. She has celiac disease and specializes in gfcf living.
Join the Conversation