A cough may be “dry” or produce phlegm. As a result of a cold, smoking, or an allergy, for example, it is the body’s normal reaction to any foreign body, congestion, or irritation in the lungs or the throat. Coughing might also indicate a more serious respiratory condition in some cases.
THE RISK OF SMOKING
If you smoke, you should be informed of the facts on how smoking affects your body. Tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide are three extremely harmful substances found in tobacco smoke.
Tar
- Tar in tobacco smoke accumulates as a sticky coating that irritates and clogs the lungs as well as other areas of chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and in certain circumstances, causes lung cancer, a potentially fatal condition that is nearly uncommon in non-smokers. Additionally, the poisonous substances in tar are absorbed into the bloodstream and then eliminated in the urine. It is known that having such an irritating chemical in the bladder can increase the risk of developing bladder cancer.
Nicotine
- Because of how it affects the neurological system, the highly addictive substance nicotine raises heart rate and increases the possibility of developing irregular cardiac rhythms.
Carbon monoxide
- By reducing the red blood cells’ capacity to transfer oxygen to the body’s cells, carbon monoxide, which is taken into the bloodstream through tobacco smoke, amplifies the consequences of any circulatory condition. Additionally, it appears that carbon monoxide actively promotes the development of substances that could clog arteries, result in fatal heart attacks, and affect leg circulation. With regard to the last consequence, heavy smokers are more likely to experience the potentially harmful side effects of the pill, which is why many doctors are hesitant to recommend it to patients.
Pregnancy and smoking
Because nicotine and carbon monoxide in your bloodstream cause the blood vessels in the placenta to constrict, less oxygen and fewer nutrients reach your baby, smoking is especially dangerous during pregnancy. Your unborn child’s growth may be severely delayed as a result, and he or she may be born underweight and require time in a special care nursery after the birth.
Reducing the dangers
Some cigarette brands are lower in tar and nicotine than others. However, switching to a brand with less tar does not significantly lower the risks. The majority of heavy smokers just inhale more often and deeply. Quitting smoking is the best strategy to prevent diseases linked to smoking. If you are successful, the likelihood that you will experience the issues listed here will decrease annually.
COUGHING UP BLOOD
Blood may be present in phlegm that is brightly colored or stained with red or rusty brown. Coughing up a little blood may just signify that a small blood vessel in the lungs has broken, but it might also mean that the lungs are congested, that you have an infection like pneumonia or tuberculosis, or that you have a tumor. If you cough up blood once and are otherwise healthy, you shouldn’t be frightened; but, if it occurs more than once or if you experience any of the other symptoms listed, it could be a sign of one of the major issues listed below, so you should visit a doctor right away.
- If your temperature is higher than 38°C (100°F), you may have a chest infection like pneumonia.
- A blood clot in the lung, which is most common if you recently underwent surgery or were bedridden due to a sickness or injury. This is an EMERGENCY.
- Tuberculosis or lung cancer, particularly if you’ve had a cough for several weeks or months.