Smoking

Im trying to think of away to word this right? I used to smoke from the age of 11 to the age of about 27 than i decided to stop my question is when I did smoke I got asthma when I was 17 (not saying its cigs 99% my family have asthma) and my asthma was mild I carried on smoking but seen the light and new I had to stop in the time ive stopped my asthma turned brittle (again not saying its because have stopped) but what I would lke to know is say I had never smoked would my asthma have turned brittle or say if I carried on smoking would my asthma be even worse than it is now.(not that I would dream of starting again) I often wonder this just dont know how to word it correct thanks guys

xx

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Hi Kerry-anne,

First of all, many congraulations on giving up smoking! It is one of the most positive things you could do for your lungs and indeed your general health. I know it's not easy and I'm full of admiration for anyone who manages to do it.

The evidence suggests that smoking, enivornmental smoke (passive smoking), and maternal smoking in pregnancy all increase the risk of developing asthma. In addition to this, in someone with known asthma, smoking increases symptoms and number of asthma attacks. Parents who smoke are more likely to have children with asthma, and among asthmatic children, those who are exposed to environmental smoke are more likely to have severe symptoms. Of course, the relationship is complex - not everyone who is exposed to smoke will develop asthma, and many people who are not exposed to smoke will develop asthma - but it is well established.

There are many other factors involved in the development of asthma, including genetics (you say that most of your family has asthma), so it may well be that you would have had asthma, and even brittle asthma, whether or not you had smoked. I'm afraid it's impossible really to answer your 'what if' questions with any accuracy. I know it's frustrating to think that perhaps your condition could have been prevented, and we all want answers as to why we have to go through some of the things we experience. I would say that it's likely that your asthma would be much worse if you still smoked, and of course you would also be vulnerable to developing COPD, lung cancer and many other conditions.

The most important thing is that you have already done the best thing for your lung health and your health overall. Quitting smoking is a tremendous achievement and one that I am sure you will always be glad of.

Take care

Em H