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To: Cogito Ergo Sum who wrote (191620)	9/9/2022 6:01:28 PM
From: Rarebird	1 Recommendation Recommended By Pogeu Mahone Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 219505

Do you even know what Cogito ergo sum means? If you did, I doubt you would be using it as your handle.

To: Cogito Ergo Sum who wrote (191620)	9/9/2022 9:07:40 PM
From: Pogeu Mahone	Respond to of 219505

Black Lung Swan You got more health tips? Butts the Health guru smoked for over 20 years giving health advice. "Looks healthy to me":0) Golda Meir Big Swinging Dick Too ,I like it... Ms Baby Boomer woo hoo ========================== WTF are you talking about.. I am 66 .. LEAN.. STRONG .. and drive a fcuking far out cycle :) Oh and cool, Pickup LOL Ms Baby Boomer made me think about a cool 'Stang .. we need more women like her :)!!

To: Cogito Ergo Sum who wrote (191620)

9/9/2022 9:45:10 PM

From: Pogeu Mahone

Respond to of 219505

Black Lung Diseased Swan claims

What are the differences between a smoker's lungs and healthy lungs?

Differences

Why smoking affects the lungs.

Smoking is one of the biggest threats to lung function. It changes the structure and function of the lungs, making breathing difficult and increasing the risk of numerous medical conditions.

The lungs are part of the respiratory system, which takes oxygen in from the air and removes carbon dioxide. Although several factors may compromise lung function, including genetic diseases, infections, and environmental exposures, smoking remains one of the most dangerous.

In this article, we discuss the functional and structural differences between a smoker’s lungs and healthy lungs. We also provide some tips on quitting smoking and improving lung function.

Smokers’ lungs vs. healthy lungs

Share on PinterestIllustration by Diego Sabogal
Smoking can change the physical appearance of the lungs. Diagnostic tests, such as a CAT scan and chest X-ray, may identify some of the changes. The chart below summarizes some common physical changes.

Healthy lungs	Smoker’s lungs
Pink	Gray or black
Normal size	Hyperinflated
No inflammation	Patches of inflammation
Dome-shaped diaphragm	Diaphragm muscle loss

Smoking not only causes physical changes but also alters the function of the lungs. The amount of time that it takes for the changes to develop varies among individuals.

The changes cause several symptoms that interfere with normal breathing. In general, the differences between a smoker’s lungs and healthy lungs include the following:

Increased mucus productionSmoking may cause the lungs to produce more mucusTrusted Source.

This increased mucus production can happen for a few reasons, but it primarily occurs because smoking cigarettes damages the epithelial cells that line the airway. Inflammatory cells develop due to the damage, and this promotes goblet cell production, leading to increased mucus.

Although it can vary in consistency and quantity, the lungs of many smokers produce moderate-to-large amounts of thick mucus.

CoughingIt is commonTrusted Source for smokers to cough frequently or even develop a chronic cough. Often, smokers’ lungs sustain damage to the cilia. Cilia are small hairs in the airway that help keep dirt and other irritants out of the lungs.

Usually, smoking damages the cilia by either paralyzing or destroying them, which allows irritants to get into the airways. This may lead to a long-term cough.

Low oxygen levelsSmoking may leadTrusted Source to thickening and scarring of the capillary walls in the lungs. The capillaries are small blood vessels, which allow oxygen to pass through and subsequently travel to the tissues in the body. Damage to the capillaries may interfere with proper gaseous exchange, resulting in low oxygen levels.

WheezingTypically, a smoker’s lungs have more inflammationTrusted Source than healthy lungs. The chemicals in cigarettes may damage the tissues in the lungs, which leads to inflammation. Lung inflammation narrows the airways, often causing chest tightness and wheezing.

Shortness of breathThe combination of the changes that smoking causes in the lungs may lead to shortness of breath.

Several of these changes, including damage to the cells that line the airways, destroyed cilia, and increased mucus, make breathing difficult. As a result, breathlessness may occur with even mild physical exertion.

Learn more about lung function here.

Why smoking changes the lungs
Cigarette smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicalsTrusted Source, including:

nicotineammoniacarbon monoxideacetaldehydeSome of the chemicals above are carcinogens, which means that they may cause cancer in humans. In addition, the chemicals may damage the lungs in other ways, such as leading to scarring or inflammation and damaging cells and blood vessels.

Over time, smoking may change the lungs enough to causeTrusted Source respiratory conditions, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. In addition to smoking, extensive exposure to secondhand smoke can change the lungs and lead to certain respiratory conditions.