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Ventilator Complications As a Result of Smoking

Ventilators are necessary for a number of medical problems that range from lung cancer to spinal cord injuries and even just plain old age. Ventilators help medical patients breathe when they are unable to breathe on their own or are having difficulty breathing because of injuries, surgery or other problems. Smoking while using a ventilator can result in numerous complications and problems.

  1. Pneumonia

    • Pneumonia is a common problem that occurs with a ventilator without smoking. When smoking, the chances of getting pneumonia increase dramatically as the body is more susceptible to infections. Medical staff typically will give pneumonia vaccines to any patient using a ventilator, but smoking lowers the immune system and may lead to pneumonia despite the vaccine.

    Respiratory Problems

    • Difficulty breathing as a result of smoking while using a ventilator is a very common. This is the most common problem arising from smoking while on a ventilator. According to "Clinical Anesthesia," smoking causes airway irritation and results in a variety of other complications in the lungs that lead to the respiratory problems.

    Increased Phlegm and Wheezing

    • Beyond basic respiratory problems that arise from smoking while on a ventilator, phlegm increases, which causes wheezing and coughing. According to Respiratory Complications From Spinal Cord Injuries, those who have spinal cord injuries that results in ventilator use should not smoke and should begin a smoking cessation program to prevent the complications.

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