Hidden damage caused by smoking
Cigarette smoke often does damage to the body before the smoker even knows about it. And when symptoms do arise, smokers often mistake them for other conditions or health problems that aren’t related to smoking.
For example, symptoms of smoking-related lung diseases such as a cough, shortness of breath and wheezing, can easily be mistaken for asthma, pneumonia or a nasty bug that the smoker is unable to shake. Many smokers will simply put the symptoms down to ‘smoker’s cough’, which is caused by the body attempting to clear out the chemicals that enter the lungs via cigarette smoke. Smoker’s cough shouldn’t be ignored. While it is usually caused by the airways trying to clear smoke particles, a persistent cough can be an early sign of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This includes debilitating illnesses such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
The best way to prevent the damage hidden away inside the body that is caused by smoking is to quit smoking.
Once you stop smoking:
- you will reduce your chances of cancer and heart disease
- your fitness will improve
- you will increase your chances of living longer and spending quality time with your family and friends
- you won’t be exposing your family to dangerous second-hand smoke.
For options to quit smoking, visit the Quit your way page.