People who smoke often
develop a cough. This cough is caused by the body clearing out the chemicals
that enter the airways and lungs through tobacco use.
If
the cough is persistent, lasting for more than 3 weeks, it is known as smoker's
cough. While the cough may begin as a dry cough, it can eventually produce
phlegm. Other symptoms include a sore throat and chest pain.
Several
home remedies may help manage the symptoms of smoker's cough.
Contents
of this article:
- How many smokers have smoker's cough?
- Symptoms
- Causes of smoker's cough
- Treatments and home remedies?
- Complications
- Outlook
Fast facts on smoker's cough:
- Not all smokers have smoker's cough.
- Smoking causes a smoker's cough.
- It can lead to a variety of other conditions, such as bronchitis.
- The most effective treatment for smoker's cough is to quit smoking.
How many smokers have smoker's cough?
Smoker's
cough is a common complaint among people who smoke.
A
study on young military personnel found that over 40 percent of participants
who smoked daily and 27 percent who smoked occasionally experienced chronic
cough and phlegm production.
As
the study participants were aged 18-21, and smoker's cough is more prevalent
among long-term smokers, it is likely that the true percentage of smokers
affected by smoker's cough is higher than this.
Not
all smokers develop smoker's cough, but it is more likely among those
persistent long-term users of tobacco.
Symptoms
Shortness of breath and chest pain may be symptoms that occur alongside a smoker's cough.
In
the early stages of smoker's cough, the cough tend to be dry. In later stages,
the cough produces phlegm that may be:
- colorless
- blood-tinged
- yellow-green
- white
Other
symptoms that occur along with the cough include:
- a crackling sound when breathing
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- sore throat
- wheezing
Smoker's
cough tends to be worse first thing in the morning and gradually improves as
the day goes on. Symptoms of smoker's cough get progressively worse over time,
unless the person quits smoking.
Smoker's cough vs. other types of cough
Smoker's
cough may be distinguished from other types of cough by symptoms such as phlegm
production, crackling sounds in the chest, and wheezing.
However,
it is difficult to differentiate the cough associated with lung conditions,
such as cancer or COPD, from a smoker's cough. This fact highlights the
importance of regular medical check-ups, particularly for smokers.
Causes of smoker's cough
According
to the American Cancer Society, of the thousands of chemicals in tobacco, at
least 70 of them are known to cause cancer.
Upon
entering the body, many of these chemicals interfere with the function of the
cilia, the tiny hair-like structures that help filter toxins from the airways. Research
indicates that formaldehyde and other chemicals slow the movement of the cilia
and even reduce their length, allowing more toxins to enter the lungs.
This
process caused by smoking leads to inflammation. As a result, the body attempts
to remove the substances through coughing. Smoker's cough may be worse upon
waking because the cilia were unaffected by tobacco smoke during sleep and so
were more able to catch and expel the chemicals.
Treatments and home remedies?
There
are some things a person can do to relieve smoker's cough, as well as some
treatments to ease the symptoms.
Quitting smoking
Undoubtedly,
the most effective treatment for smoker's cough is to quit smoking. However,
initially the cough may persist or increase after quitting - usually for up to
3 months but in some cases for much longer - as the body clears out the
build-up of toxins from the airways.
Other treatments and remedies
Quitting smoking is the best treatment for smoker's cough.
The
following tips may help soothe the irritation and other symptoms associated
with smoker's cough:
- stay hydrated
- gargle
- honey with warm water or tea
- suck lozenges
- practice deep breathing exercises
- use steam
- try a humidifier
- exercise
- eat healthily
- elevate the head at night
Coughing
helps to remove toxins from the lungs so suppressing the cough is not usually
helpful. Always consult a doctor before taking cough suppressants for smoker's
cough.
Complications
There
are many complications associated with smoking and smoker's cough, with many
issues arising from damage to the cilia. The likelihood of developing one or
more complications depends on how frequently someone smokes, the severity of
their cough, and their overall health status.
Complications
include:
- increased risk of bacterial and viral respiratory infections
- damage to the throat
- changes to the voice, such as hoarseness
- long-term cough and irritation
Damage
to the cilia may lead to a build-up of chemicals in the lungs and airways,
which can play a role in the development of:
Bronchitis
Bronchitis
is an inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes - the tubes connecting
the lungs to the nose and mouth. Symptoms include breathing difficulties due to
a reduced capacity to carry air, and phlegm in the airways.
If
bronchitis persists for 3 months or more, or is recurrent for at least 2 years,
it's known as chronic bronchitis. In 2015, 9.3 million people in the United
States were diagnosed with chronic bronchitis. Smoking is the most common cause
of this condition.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
COPD
is a progressive disease characterized by difficulty breathing. The term COPD
includes both emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Symptoms include cough, phlegm,
wheezing, and tightness in the chest.
According
to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, COPD - which is primarily
caused by smoking - is the third leading cause of death in the U.S.
Emphysema
A
form of COPD caused by damage to the alveoli - the air sacs in the lungs. As a
result, the body struggles to get the oxygen it requires. Symptoms include
breathing difficulties and chronic cough.
Incontinence
In
women, smoker's cough may trigger stress urinary incontinence. Some research
suggests that women who smoke heavily are much more likely to experience a
sudden and strong need to urinate than non-smoking women.
Lung cancer
Lung
cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in America, and smoking cigarettes
is the number one cause of lung cancer. According to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), up to 90 percent of lung cancers in the United
States are linked to smoking with even occasional smoking increasing cancer
risk.
Pneumonia
Tobacco
use increases susceptibility to bacterial lung infections such as pneumonia.
Symptoms of pneumonia include cough, fever, and difficulty breathing.
Some
people, particularly those with underlying health problems, require
hospitalization for pneumonia. Emphysema and certain other conditions can be
exacerbated by this infection.
Social and emotional impact
Aside
from physical effects, having a chronic smoker's cough can impact emotional and
social functioning.
For
example, constant coughing can interfere with sleep and disturb others. It may
interfere with socializing, and may be disruptive to family, friends, and
colleagues.
Outlook
Smoker's
cough will most likely persist as long as the person smokes. While certain home
remedies are available to reduce the symptoms of smoker's cough, they won't
resolve the condition.
Even
after quitting, the cough may persist for several months.
When to see a doctor
It's
important to see a doctor if:
- A cough persists for more than 2-3 weeks. Chronic coughs are one of the most common symptoms of lung cancer.
- Symptoms interfere with everyday life. Symptoms can include
- trouble sleeping
- persistent pain in the throat or chest
- extreme weight loss
- headaches
- yellow-green phlegm
Seek
immediate medical treatment for:
- bladder incontinence
- coughing up blood
- fainting after coughing
- pain in the ribs
It's
also advisable to speak with a doctor for information on quitting smoking and
when considering the use of cough suppressants for smoker's cough.
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