Smoking is more risky for asthma patients, as it damages the lungs. A smoker may wheeze, cough and experience shortness of breath. This occurs because smoke can irritate the airways, and make them narrow and swollen. Besides, the airways also become full of sticky mucus. The same things occur when you have an asthma flare-up. This is the reason why smoking causes more frequent asthma flare-ups. For regular smokers, these flare-ups can be worse and harder to contain.
Secondhand Smoke is Also Deadly for Asthma
Even if you are a non-smoker, you might still face smoky situations in parties, restaurants or at home, if somebody in your family smokes. Secondhand smoke can also trigger asthma, so avoid it as much as possible, if you suffer from asthma. Do not hang out with regular smokers, as you are bound to suffer from severe and more frequent asthma symptoms. This may require you to take more medications. And, you may also need to go more frequently to the the doctor to get relief.
Though you cannot modify other individuals’ behavior, you should let them know their smoking is affecting your health. Ask them to stop smoking in your presence. Do not be shy to ask your family members not to smoke inside the house or in the car.
Quitting Smoking can Help Your Asthma
Quitting smoking can be beneficial for your asthma. Smoking can nullify the effects of asthma controller medicine. It could also make you take your rescue medicine more frequently. Smoking can also disturb sleep as it can cause coughing at night. It may affect sports and other physical activity. Moreover, it can give you a bad asthma flare-up any time.
Seek the help of experienced counselors, if you don’t want to go about quitting smoking alone. Enquire about help strategies or medication that can lessen your craving for cigarettes and nicotine.
