Smoker's cough

In general, the term Smoker's cough Chronic respiratory diseases caused by tobacco use. Smoker's cough, as harmless as the name sounds, is a dangerous disease that slowly and incurably destroys lung tissue.

What is a smoker's cough?

The airways and lungs are permanently damaged by years of tobacco consumption in the form of cigarettes or cigars. All toxins are also deposited in the lungs and released into the blood from there.

The smoker's cough is one of the main symptoms of COPD (chronic obstructive bronchitis). The smoker's cough is characterized by increased secretion formation in the respiratory tract and corresponding cough with expectoration with simultaneous slight onset of shortness of breath.

Regular coughing in the morning after getting up can also be an indication of a developing smoker's cough. If this is not treated, it can, in the worst case, lead to severe chronic respiratory diseases and irreversible damage to the lungs.

causes

As the name suggests, the main cause of smoker's cough is smoking. The airways and lungs are permanently damaged by years of tobacco consumption in the form of cigarettes or cigars. Passive smoking is no less dangerous than active smoking. Smoking the water pipes known as bong or shisha is also harmful, as tobacco is also used here.

Tobacco contains several hundred toxins that get into the lungs along with tobacco smoke. This becomes soiled, the cilia stick together and the lung tissue is permanently damaged and destroyed.

All toxins are also deposited in the lungs and released into the blood from there. As a result, they are distributed throughout the body via the bloodstream. In many cases, the smoker's cough is the cause of other diseases.

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➔ Medicines for smoking cessation

Diseases with this symptom

• COPD
• Smoker's lung

Typical symptoms & signs

• strong and constant cough, especially in the morning
• Sputum, partly bloody or black
• possibly shortness of breath and shortness of breath

Diagnosis & course

Often the smoker's cough is not taken seriously by the sick, as the signs of it creep in and are often hardly noticed at first.

Usually symptoms such as a mild irritating cough that occurs every day, which gradually becomes stronger and, in the advanced stage, is accompanied by expectoration, appear at first. Since the formation of mucus increases steadily and more and more toxins are deposited in the lungs, the respiratory volume decreases in the long run, which leads to shortness of breath. The cough, especially in the morning after getting up, is very pronounced and sometimes painful. Breathing sounds can also be heard in people suffering from smoker's cough.

Since the development of the smoker's cough often takes a few years, the course of this disease can be described as chronic. Without appropriate treatment, the development of smoker's cough or COPD will continue to progress. This leads to frequent airway inflammation and narrowing of the airways. The lung function is restricted, which means that the blood is no longer supplied with sufficient oxygen. This in turn leads to an undersupply of the brain, the heart and the other organs. Heart attacks, strokes and lung cancer can result from smoker's cough.

A doctor should be consulted at the first symptoms that indicate a smoker's cough. Following the anamnesis, this person carries out a so-called lung function test, which can provide information on the extent to which the patient's breathing volume is already impaired. The diagnosis of a smoker's cough or COPD is ultimately made by a pulmonologist, who carries out further lung function tests. In order to be able to detect possible damage to the lungs at an early stage, z. B. X-rays made and a magnetic resonance imaging performed.

Complications

A smoker's cough is characterized by a tough sputum and usually arises as part of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which has numerous complications. This chronic bronchitis increases the susceptibility to infections, which can worsen the symptoms. In the worst case, pneumonia can spread systemically and thus lead to life-threatening sepsis.

Furthermore, the alveoli can over-inflate and pulmonary emphysema can occur. As a result, there is no longer enough oxygen in the body and cyanosis occurs. There is also a risk that the alveoli will burst due to the increased air retention and the lungs will collapse as a result (pneumothorax).

In this case, only one lung is available for gas exchange, and the affected person suffers from shortness of breath. In addition, emphysema increases the pressure in the pulmonary arteries so that the heart has to work harder, which can result in cardiac insufficiency (right heart failure). The risk of having a heart attack is increasing.

The likelihood of a stroke or cardiac arrhythmia has also increased dramatically. The cigarette smoke also destroys the lung tissue, it is scarred and can no longer expand sufficiently, the person concerned can no longer get enough air and suffers from shortness of breath. In addition, the risk of secondary diseases such as diabetes or osteoporosis is increased with COPD.

When should you go to the doctor?

Smoker's cough should always be clarified by a doctor. Cough attacks often conceal a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which should definitely be treated medically. This is especially true for those affected who have had pneumonia in the past, as there is an increased risk of COPD after a viral virus disease.

A typical smoker's cough must also be clarified if it occurs daily or even disturbs the night's sleep. A quick visit to the doctor is recommended if the cough is an excruciating, dry throat irritation, which may even be associated with bloody sputum or chest pain. If a smoker's cough occurs in connection with shortness of breath or severe chest pain, a serious lung disease is suspected. In this case, a visit to a pulmonologist or lung specialist is recommended.

If the smoker's cough is severe and persists longer than usual or is associated with intense symptoms, an emergency doctor should be called in. There may be bleeding from the lungs or acute pneumonia that must be treated immediately.

Doctors & therapists in your area

Treatment & Therapy

An important part of the therapy of smoker's cough is the absolute renunciation of tobacco smoke in any form. This is the only way to prevent further damage. The smoker's cough or COPD is not curable. The symptoms can be treated, but the lungs are permanently damaged and cannot regain their original function.

For the treatment of irritation and inflammation come u. a. Antibiotics used. Supportive oxygen therapies can increase the oxygen supply to the body and thus improve the general condition of the patient. Breathing physiotherapy, in which the patient learns to optimize his posture and use special breathing techniques, can also bring relief. So-called PEP devices are also used. These create an exhalation pressure that should strengthen the airways and make it easier to cough up the secretion.

If these treatments are unsuccessful, surgery is the last resort to try to widen the narrowed airways again.

You can find your medication here

➔ Medicines for smoking cessation

prevention

The best way to prevent a smoker's cough is to quit smoking altogether. Smokers should give up their vice as soon as possible so as not to further damage their lungs. A good measure to keep lungs and airways healthy is getting enough exercise in the fresh air.

You can do that yourself

If you suspect a smoker's cough, a doctor's visit is recommended. In addition, various measures can be taken to alleviate the symptoms acutely and reduce them in the long term. In the short term, the cough can be relieved by temporarily stopping smoking and drinking enough water. Breathing techniques and regular exercise lead to an improvement in symptoms in the long term. Endurance sports are particularly recommended, as they stimulate breathing and help quickly break down the deposits on the lungs.

In addition, cigarette consumption should be stopped or at least reduced in order to allow the lungs to regenerate. Alternatively, you can switch to the electronic cigarette, which can lead to increased smoker's cough, especially in the first few days. Various herbs such as sage, eucalyptus, peppermint or thyme also have a soothing effect, which are best boiled as tea, inhaled or used with compresses.

A smoker's cough in the morning can be relieved by simply coughing up the mucus. A long walk has a similar effect and will cause the debris to subside. If the smoker's cough persists, further measures should first be discussed with a doctor.