Lung Problems Caused by Cigarettes

Cigarettes made from tobacco can do a lot of damage to the body. They can cause high blood pressure, blood clots and gum disease, and they can also lower the body's immunity. But perhaps, the most damage they cause is found in the lungs. The lungs are the location that the smoke initially flows into and out of, which can lead to a number of potentially serious problems.

Cancer

• Cigarettes leave behind a coating of tar and toxins on the inside of the lungs. This can lead to lung cancer.

Emphysema

• Emphysema is a condition in which the bronchioles in the lungs are destroyed and air cannot reach the bloodstream properly. The smoke from tobacco contains oxidants that destroy the elasticity of the cell fibers, causing emphysema.

Breathing

• Breathing can become very labored from using cigarettes. Even getting up and walking across a room can cause shortness of breath.

Asthma

• Secondhand smoke can also cause lung problems for other people. Children who breathe their parents' secondhand cigarette smoke can develop asthma.

Bronchitis

• Cigarettes can cause chronic bronchitis, which can, in turn, cause excess production of mucous in the lungs and continual hacking.