Ex-Smokers, Light Smokers Not Exempt from Lung Damage.

[2greys]

People who smoke fewer than five cigarettes a day cause long-term damage to their lungs, according to a new study led by researchers at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.

“Many people assume that smoking a few cigarettes a day isn’t so bad,” says study leader Elizabeth Oelsner, MD, a Herbert Irving Assistant Professor of Medicine at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. “But it turns out that the difference in loss of lung function between someone who smokes five cigarettes a day versus two packs a day is relatively small.”

cuimc.columbia.edu/news/ex-...

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When I was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis 10 years ago or so I didn't smoke, but I had been a light smoker (1 or 2 a day) for 15 years. I was told I'd be classed as someone who had never smoked. I know Bronchiectasis isn't considered to be a cause of smoking but I also have a tiny element of Bronchitis too. But I'm still disturbed by this report 2greys. Thank you for sharing it.

[Suzannejames]

Hello 2 greys. I find quite a few little information that you put on this site a bit disappointing. Especially for the likes of myself and I think quite a few others like myself. I stopped smoking 6 years ago and through being stressed with my husband having a nasty accident a year ago I went back to smoking. I've been getting it down week by week trying to stop gradually. But after reading your last report it's made me wonder is it worth even 5 per day will do the same damage as 2 pets a day. I'm awake most nights until around 3 or 4 even all night at times as I also have Lupus witch leaves me with rheumatoid arthritis which as I stated all night. So thanks for that little bit of encouragement. I see some remarks that you make when my health unlocked emails come through I don't even open them. Are you a doctor or something as you seem to be supplying a lot of medical information. I've noticed that particular doctor on utube and is exactly how red socks described her. So my point is that I'm sorry I opened this last email and I can imagine I'm not on my own. Sorry everyone I couldn't keep quiet on this latest one. Luv you all as per usual. Suzanne xxxx

[2greys]

No I am not a doctor, I am an engineer. My posts, are entirely made from research articles that I search for on the Web. I am sorry that you don't like some of them, the real world is not all cotton wool and roses much as we would all like it to be. The simply answer would be to ignore my posts if you find them distressing.

I am sorry your husband had a nasty accident and you felt you had to start smoking again, but that does not distract the unfettered truth that smoking is very bad for you. You should seek help to quit for good, for both you and your husband's sake. Imagine just what it would do to both you if there was a diagnosis of lung cancer with one of you, believe me, the mental anguish caused to the whole family is extreme, perverse and lasts for years even after treatment, as there is no guarantee that the cancer will not return.

Smoking has robbed me of so much of my old life and all my comorbities are caused by smoking. Click on my icon and read my profile and see just what smoking has done to me. I hope that it will open your eyes and you do not think "It will never happen to me" because it so easily could.

[Suzannejames]

Hello again 2 greys. I have variouse illnesses my self including emphasemia Lupus Sjorgens syndrome also Rheumatid Arthritis plus Polymialgia Rheumatica and stomach ulcers. Neither my husband of 53 years nor myslf touch alkohol. MY mother died of Altseimers disease and my father passed away suddenly with a twisted bowel. Not any of these smoked orn drank alkohol. But I did lose my very close sister at the age of 65 with cancer 6 years ago. Im 71 years of age and worked all my life as a commercial artist. WE have two grown up sons and my youngest was diagnosed with parkinsons at the age of 35. incidentally his son was diagnosed with the dreaded Chrones disease at the age of 11 yrs and had to have his whole bowels removed on his 18th birthday. ( non reversible ). and got on with his life.Hes now at uni studying forensics and law. Our grandaughter suffers very badly with her nerves and stress and she,s just recieved her degrees at University of Cardiff as a criminologist and neucleor science. No one in my family have sat back and dwelled on the fact WHAT IF. weve all dealt with it at a daily pace. So I do know what illnesses can attack or change your life, there allways something out there that we should not be doing. NOn of us has said it shouldnt be happening to me. We all just get on with it each day as it comes. So in answer to your point that were not wrapped up in cotton wool came as a bit of a shock to me, after all my family have endured over the years and I hope from the bottom of my heart nothing else is going to hit usor anyone else that I know. Respectfully yours Suzanne xx

[2greys]

Sorry if there is any confusion. Like it or not my original post was all about smoking tobacco, whether it is 5 a day or a pack per day. The simple fact is that one cigarette paralyses the cillia for one hour! That means that the mucous that cleans the lungs is not working as efficiently as it should and that can encourage the formation of bacteria which will easily destroy the the function of the alveoli which does the actual gas exchange of co2 for o2. I have been on the top of lung disease for quite a few years now. I also have had many in depth conversations with the head of the respiratory department of the UHS and volunteered for research studies.

All I want is for you to quit smoking to avoid the possible consequences of it. I will not argue further, the science is there, if only you would listen and believe.

[Suzannejames]

Hello again 5greys. I'm working hard on reducing my ciggies wk by wk. I've been hospital ised 3times with pneumonia. Blue lights ambulance. Had to have 5pints of blood at one time. I was so ill I couldn't get out of bed for 3 weeks. And still bcant go very far. If my husband takes me out,he's also my carer. I have to go in my wheelchair, so no disrespect to you or anyone on this blog, I truly know how bad my lungs are. The strange thing is that when I had all those pneumonia episodes I hadn't smoked a cigarette for 3 years. Strange, don't you think. I really don't want to seem like a nasty woman to anyone. I'm just pointing out to you that I know what the score is with me. If I have an exasperation it kicks the Lupus off and if I have a Lupus flare up it kicks the copd off. My kindest regards to you 2 greys. Suzanne.

[2greys]

Snap, I gave up 3 1/2 years ago and hospitalised with pneumonia just a few weeks ago, so not so very strange.