Effects of Smoking
Tar
COPD
Chronic Bronchitis
-stimulate goblet cells & mucous glands to secrete more mucous
-cleaning action inhibited
-accumulation of mucus
smoker's cough
pneumonia
chest pains
drowsiness
difficulty breathing
Emphysema
It is a condition in which bronchioles collapse, leaving large spaces where surface area for gaseous exchange used to be
Phagocytes line the airways
Protein digesting enzyme known as elastase is released
Destroys elastin in the walls of the alveoli (allowing phagocytes to enter and remove bacteria)
Large spaces appear where alveoli have burst
Reduces surface area for gas exchange
Number of capillaries decreases
Less oxygen absorbed to blood
Effects on emphysema
Lung function deteriorates
wheezing occurs and breathlessness becomes progressively worse
People with severe emphysema often need a continuous supply of oxygen through a face mask.
Emphysema treatment
Medications as inhalants
Bronchodilators are medications that relax the bronchiolar muscles and improve airflow.
Oral treatments
Oral steroid like prednisone is prescribed to people in addition to using an inhaler.
Oxygen supplementation
Surgery and rehabilitation
Some people with emphysema may qualify for surgery to reduce lung volume, which helps to decrease symptoms.
Alternative therapies
Chinese herbs like ginkgo biloba which helps strengthen the lungs
Sulfur has been identified as an aid in reducing inflammation and mucus.
Long term outlook
Quitting smoking
Lung Cancer
react with DNA in epithelial cells to produce mutation & leads to development of tumour
spread through bronchiole epithelium & enter lymphatic tissue in lungs
Carbon Monoxide
Mode of action
1. Diffuses into RBC
2. Combines with haemoglobin to form carboxyhaemoglobin
3. Oxygen cannot bind to receptors on cells that contain carboxyhaemoglobin
4. CO is faster at binding with Hb than oxygen and exits the body slower
Effects
Decreases quantity of oxygen transported in the blood
Puts a strain on heart muscle
Damage lining of the arteries
Build up of fatty tissue
Reduction of blood flow
Injure fetus upon exposure
Symptoms
Mimics influenza
headache
dizziness
rapid heart rate
mental confusion
vomiting
nausea
fatigue
Diseases
Coronary heart disease/ atherosclerosis
plaque builds up in arterties
hinders blood flow
causes high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes
Stroke
Nicotine
cardiovascular disease
cause blood clotting
heart attack
stroke
aneurysm
reduce diameter of arterioles
heart rate and blood pressure
in oxygen supply
reproductive system
prohibits proper blood circulation causing impotence
increase infertility and miscarriage
babies have low birth weights/ born prematurely/ increase risk of lung problems
nervous system
addictive
affects neurotransmitters in the brain
release adrenaline