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ภาพประกอบ, การ์ตูนยิ้ม, ภาพประกอบ, ภาพประกอบภาพ PNG และ PSD สำหรับดาวน์โหลดฟรี

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Once upon a time, I was a junior publicist and had the West Hollywood Travel + Tourism Board as a client. I fell in love with this urban village community that embraced diversity and was chic to boot. Fast forward 20 years, I am proud to share that I'm still a resident and maintain my original affection.

I am an e-commerce beauty entrepreneur, civic leader and act as the development director for a public health nonprofit. I write, however simply as a resident, a daughter who watched her mother die of Stage 4 Lung Cancer - six weeks after diagnosis, and a woman living with asthma. Like many of you, I work from home due to this global pandemic. I live in a multi-unit apartment building and share walls with my neighbors. This density within my living quarters is something I once loved and craved but now I am very clear about its constant adverse effects on my ability to breathe, and that such conditions can kill me. My neighbors' choices directly affect me now more than ever, and one of those is secondhand smoke inhalation.

I will leave the finer details of scientific study to medical experts, however, I am very aware that secondhand smoke kills. This is a fact with no argument. When my neighbors smoke anything, it directly impacts my air quality - fills my apartment with smoke, and subjects me to enormous health risk.
COVID19 and Smoking
Regarding cigarette usage and COVID, studies show that a person who smokes may be at greater risk for the most dangerous outcomes of COVID-19. Cigarette smoking can suppress the immune system and cause heart and lung diseases.

There is also sufficient evidence on secondhand smoke to infer that components of cigarette smoke impact the immune system (CDC). Other international studies have shown that a history of smoking may be associated with COVID-19 disease progression.

While more research is needed on the impact of smoking, secondhand smoke and coronavirus, it is reasonable to think that any condition that weakens the lungs, such as smoking or vaping, could play a role in making someone more susceptible to complications from any respiratory ailment, including COVID-19.
Cannabis Secondhand Smoke
Simply put, introducing smoke of any type into your lungs compromises your health and even your life. Smoke from marijuana combustion has been shown to contain many of the same toxins, irritants, and carcinogens as tobacco smoke. Smoking marijuana damages the lungs and can cause chronic bronchitis and lead to other respiratory symptoms. It can harm more than just the lungs and respiratory system-it can also affect the immune system and the body's ability to fight disease, especially for those whose immune systems are already weakened from immunosuppressive drugs or diseases. This includes people like me who have weakened lungs from conditions such as asthma, COPD, lung cancer and yes, COVID19.

More research is needed on the secondhand smoke effects of marijuana, but there is concern it could cause further harmful health effects, especially among vulnerable populations, such as children and the elderly in the home.

While there are alternative delivery methods for cannabis, I do not have an alternative air source when one of my neighbors decides to light up anything.

I moved to West Hollywood because it is a community that embraces choice. But when the choices of other people could result in stroke, heart and lung disease, undermining sobriety, or the ability to fight COVID-19 when other options are available, the results can be deadly and their actions irresponsible.

All those who want to avoid the negative consequences of neighbors, visitors and others decision to invade our lungs with their smoking must take action. If you feel anxious or concerned about secondhand smoke and desire to have clean air, safe air in your own home within a multi-unit housing development please call-in, write or join the City Council meeting on Monday. Here is the agenda.
TO PARTICIPATE BY PROVIDING PUBLIC COMMENT BY TELEPHONE
* This option is to provide public comment via phone ONLY.
* Email yquarker@weho.org no later than 4:00 p.m. on August 3rd to be added to the Public Speaker List for the meeting. Include your name, the phone number from which you will be calling, and indicate that you will be speaking on Item 3.C.
* Dial-in at 5:00 PM to stand in queue (the meeting begins at 5:30 p.m.).
o Dial-in Phone Number: (669) 900 - 6833
o Meeting I.D.: 920 8985 8265, then #
* You will be placed on HOLD in the Virtual Meeting Room until it is your turn to
speak. You may be on HOLD for some time. Please remain patient and stay on the
line!
* You will have 2 minutes to speak (about 250 words). If there are a large number of speakers, the City Clerk may limit comments to 1 minute. Please be prepared.

TO PARTICIPATE BY PROVIDING AN E-COMMENT
* Submit an E-Comment using this form as early as Aug. 12, but no later than 4:00 p.m. on Aug. 17. You will be prompted the following questions:

Name (optional)

City of residence (optional)

Address and phone number (optional)

Indicate that you will be speaking on (B) an Agenda Item

Enter agenda item number "3.B."

Indicate whether you (A) Support or (B) Oppose the recommended item

Select "None of the above"

You will be prompted to enter your E-Comment. Please plan for 250 words.

Submit

E-Comments received by 4 p.m. will be forwarded to the City Council and posted on the city's website as part of the official meeting record.

Tags: apartment smoking ban, cannabis, secondhand smoke, tobacco, West Hollywood city council

About Maxine Tatlonghari

Maxine Tatlonghari is a long time West Hollywood Design District resident, entrepreneur, civic leader and development exec with a public health nonprofit. She loves Pilates, languages and rooftop brunches.
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Opinion: Secondhand Smoke, Tobacco or Cannabis, Puts Us All at Risk

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Once upon a time, I was a junior publicist and had the West Hollywood Travel + Tourism Board as a client. I fell in love with this urban village community that embraced diversity and was chic to boot. Fast forward 20 years, I am proud to share that I'm still a resident and maintain my original affection.

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Secondhand smoke affects the respiratory system of non-smokers through mechanisms similar to the effects seen in active smoking. However, since the levels of exposure to secondhand smoke are lower than in active smoking, the effects of secondhand smoke tend to be less severe.

Non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke commonly experience eye, nasal and throat irritation. This group also have elevated nasal ciliary beat frequency (a defence mechanism that transports secretions, particles and other substances out of the nasal passages) comparable to smokers. One hour's exposure to high levels of secondhand smoke, such as that found in bars or restaurants with unrestricted smoking, can produce an acute decline in lung function and airflow restriction. Among non-smokers, secondhand smoke exposure has been associated with a range of chronic and acute respiratory symptoms, such as cough, phlegm and sputum production, wheezing and shortness of breath.

Secondhand smoke may be responsible for causing the onset of asthma in adulthood, increasing symptoms and making the management of asthma more difficult. People with asthma have a small acute decline in lung function following exposure to secondhand smoke. Chronic exposure to secondhand smoke is associated with a small decrement in lung function in the general adult population, but more research is needed to determine if this effect actually reflects a larger decrement in susceptible sub-groups (such as those with asthma).

Adults exposed to secondhand smoke have a higher likelihood of snoring, and are at greater risk of experiencing respiratory complications during surgery involving anaesthesia. Secondhand smoke exposure has been associated with rhinosinusitis, and worsens the symptoms of blocked nose, nasal discharge, headaches and cough. Secondhand smoke may also exacerbate symptoms or progression of disease among adults with poor lung function, or lung disease such as those with asthma and cystic fibrosis.

Research suggests that exposure to secondhand smoke may cause an elevated risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is marked by permanent and progressive damage to the airways and airway sacs of the lung. COPD results in reduced lung function that is largely irreversible. There is some evidence to suggest that exposure to maternal smoking and secondhand smoke as a child may lead to impaired lung growth and development that persists into adulthood, contributing to the development of COPD. Among those with diagnosed COPD, exposure to secondhand smoke may contribute to increased airway wall thickness and poorer health outcomes.

Relevant news and research

For recent news items and research on this topic, click here.

References

1. US Department of Health and Human Services. The health consequences of involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke: A report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, Georgia: US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Coordinating Center for Health Promotion, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2006. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/sgr/sgr_2006/index.htm

2. Zhou H, Wang X, Brighton L, Hazucha M, Jaspers I, et al. Increased nasal epithelial ciliary beat frequency associated with lifestyle tobacco smoke exposure. Inhalation Toxicology, 2009; 21(10):875-81. Available from: http://www.informahealthcare.com/doi/full/10.1080/08958370802555898?cookieSet=1

3. Flouris A, Vardavas C, Metsios G, Tsatsakis A, and Koutedakis Y. Biological evidence for the acute health effects of secondhand smoke exposure. American Journal of Physiology. Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology, 2009; 298(1):L3-12. Available from: http://ajplung.physiology.org/cgi/reprint/00215.2009v1.pdf

4. Franklin K, Gíslason T, Omenaas E, Jõgi R, Jensen E, et al. The influence of active and passive smoking on habitual snoring. American Journal of Critical Care Medicine, 2004; 170:799-803. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15242843

5. Moller A and Tonnesen H. Risk reduction: Perioperative smoking intervention. Best Practice Research and Clinical Anaesthesiology, 2006; 20:237-48. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16850775

6. Shargorodsky J. Secondhand smoke and rhinitis. Current Opinions in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, 2016. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27054622

7. Reh D, Lin S, Clipp S, Irani L, Alberg A, et al. Secondhand tobacco smoke exposure and chronic rhinosinusitis: A population-based case-control study. American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy, 2009; 23(6):562-7. Available from: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/ocean/ajra/2009/00000023/00000006/art00016;jsessionid=2fp3n7eyhmic7.victoria

8. Tammemagi C, Davis R, MS B, Holm A, and Krajenta R. Secondhand smoke as a potential cause of chronic rhinosinusitis: A case-control study. Archives of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, 2010; 136(4):327-34. Available from: http://archotol.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/136/4/327

9. National Health and Medical Research Council. The health effects of passive smoking: A scientific information paper. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service, 1997

10. Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment and California Air Resources Board. Health effects of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke: Final report, approved at the Panel's June 24, 2005 meeting. Sacramento: California Environmental Protection Agency, 2005. Available from: http://www.oehha.ca.gov/air/environmental_tobacco/2005etsfinal.html

11. Perret JL, Walters H, Johns D, Gurrin L, Burgess J, et al. Mother's smoking and complex lung function of offspring in middle age: A cohort study from childhood. Respirology, 2016. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26969872

12. Putcha N, Barr RG, Han MK, Woodruff PG, Bleecker ER, et al. Understanding the impact of second-hand smoke exposure on clinical outcomes in participants with COPD in the spiromics cohort. Thorax, 2016. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26962015

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Effects of secondhand smoke on the respiratory system in adults - Tobacco in Australia

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Secondhand smoke affects the respiratory system of non-smokers through mechanisms similar to the effects seen in active smoking. However, since the levels of exposure to secondhand smoke are lower than in active smoking, the effects of secondhand smoke tend to be less severe. Non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke commonly experience eye, nasal and throat irritation.

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COVID-19 is a respiratory disease, one that especially reaches into your respiratory tract, which includes your lungs.

COVID-19 can cause a range of breathing problems, from mild to critical. Older adults and people who have other health conditions like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes may have more serious symptoms.

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The effects of tobacco smoke on the respiratory system include:

irritation of the trachea (windpipe) and larynx (voice box)

reduced lung function and breathlessness due to swelling and narrowing of the lung airways and excess mucus in the lung passages

impairment of the lungs’ clearance system, leading to the build-up of poisonous substances, which results in lung irritation and damage

increased risk of lung infection and symptoms such as coughing and wheezing

permanent damage to the air sacs of the lungs.

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Highly damaging components of tobacco smoke include:

tar – is the word for the solid particles suspended in tobacco smoke. The particles contain chemicals, including cancer-causing substances (carcinogens). Tar is sticky and brown, and stains teeth, fingernails and lung tissue

carbon monoxide – is a poisonous gas. It is odourless and colourless and, in large doses, quickly causes death because it takes the place of oxygen in the blood. In people who smoke, the carbon monoxide in their blood makes it harder for oxygen to get to their organs and muscles

oxidizing chemicals – are highly reactive chemicals that can damage the heart muscles and blood vessels of people who smoke. They react with cholesterol, leading to the build-up of fatty material on artery walls. Their actions lead to heart disease, stroke and blood vessel disease

metals – tobacco smoke contains several metals that cause cancer, including arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead and nickel

radioactive compounds – tobacco smoke contains radioactive compounds that are known to be carcinogenic.

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SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is part of the coronavirus family.

When the virus gets in your body, it comes into contact with the mucous membranes that line your nose, mouth, and eyes. The virus enters a healthy cell and uses the cell to make new virus parts. It multiplies, and the new viruses infect nearby cells.

Think of your respiratory tract as an upside-down tree. The trunk is your trachea, or windpipe. It splits into smaller and smaller branches in your lungs. At the end of each branch are tiny air sacs called alveoli. This is where oxygen goes into your blood and carbon dioxide comes out.

The new coronavirus can infect the upper or lower part of your respiratory tract. It travels down your airways. The lining can become irritated and inflamed. In some cases, the infection can reach all the way down into your alveoli.

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COVID-19 (Coronavirus) & Your Lungs

COVID-19 is a respiratory virus and disease. It is spread by small droplets from coughs and sneezes and from touching infected surfaces. As of posting date, we know that at least 80 percent of people who are infected with the virus will have anywhere from no symptoms to mild to moderate flu-like symptoms, including a fever and cough. The remaining 20 percent may develop more severe cases of coronavirus may develop pneumonia or severe acute respiratory syndrome.

How Does COVID-19 Affect the Lungs?

Coronavirus can affect the upper respiratory system (nose, sinuses and throat) with flu-like symptoms, the lower respiratory system (airways and lungs) by causing cough with or without mucous and difficulty breathing. When COVID-19 is severe it can bring on pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Upper Respiratory Infection

Common symptoms of respiratory infections in the nose, sinuses and throat include nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, achy muscles and headache. Coronavirus upper respiratory infection symptoms also may include cough, diarrhea, fever, shortness of breath, loss of smell and /or taste and tiredness.

Lower Respiratory Infection

Common symptoms of COVID-19 respiratory infections in the airways and lungs may include severe cough that produces mucous, shortness of breath, chest tightness and wheezing when you exhale.

When Coronavirus is Severe

If COVID-19 goes deep into the lungs, it can cause pneumonia. Pneumonia is a concern for older people because they have reduced lung capacity, require longer recover time and have age-weakened immune systems.

Pneumonia that is caused by coronavirus may be more severe, affect many parts of the lungs, and cause shock, organ damage, abnormal blood clotting, acute respiratory distress syndrome and deteriorating health.

How Pneumonia Affects the Lungs

When healthy lungs inhale, the lungs and their 480 million tiny air sacs (alveoli) fill with oxygen. These little air sacs get rid of carbon dioxide when you exhale and pass oxygen into the blood vessels.

Pneumonia causes the air sacs to become infected and inflamed. This causes fluid and inflammatory cells to build up in the lungs and prevents oxygen from getting through, causing severe breathing difficulties and lack of oxygen in the blood.

Severe cases of COVID-19-related pneumonia are treated in the hospital.

Risk Factors for Developing Pneumonia from COVID-19

Diabetes

Hypertension

Chronic heart

Chronic lung disease

Immune suppressed conditions

Being elderly (increasing age)

Obesity

Symptoms of Severe Pneumonia Caused by Coronavirus

Fever

Fatigue

Cough (with and without mucous)

Loss of appetite

Muscle aches

Significant shortness of breath

Chest pain (especially under the breastbone)

Rapid breathing

Sweats

Headache

Weakness

COVID-19 Pneumonia & Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is life threatening. It is an injury to the lungs caused by infection or trauma. ARDS causes fluid to leak into the lungs. This makes is extreme difficult to breathe and causes a significant lack of oxygen getting into the bloodstream. The lack of oxygen harms the brain, organs and body tissues.

Most people who develop ARDS are already inpatients in the hospital. Treatment includes oxygen therapy to ensure the blood and body have enough oxygen to function properly. This may include being placed on a mechanical ventilator to deliver oxygen support. Pain control and sedation are often used to prevent agitation and shortness of breath. Fluids are managed to prevent build up in the lungs. In extreme circumstances, an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine may be used to oxygenate the blood outside the body while the body fights the infection and repairs itself.

Post critical illness syndrome (PCIS) frequently follows critical illness from COVID-19. This can result in weakness, anxiety, post traumatic distress syndrome and chronic shortness of breath. Pulmonary rehabilitation is used as part of a treatment plan for PCIS to help ARDS patients recover strength.
This information has been reviewed and approved by Kenneth E. Lyn-Kew, MD (September 2020)

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COVID-19 is a respiratory virus and disease. It is spread by small droplets from coughs and sneezes and from touching infected surfaces. As of posting date, we know that at least 80 percent of people who are infected with the virus will have anywhere from no symptoms to mild to moderate flu-like symptoms, including a fever and cough.

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How Coronavirus (COVID-19) Invades the Lungs

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NIDA. (2018, June 25). Marijuana. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana

​Research Reports

This series of reports simplifies the science of research findings for the educated lay public, legislators, educational groups, and practitioners. The series reports on research findings of national interest.

Lesson Plan and Activity Finder

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What are marijuana's effects on lung health?

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Like tobacco smoke, marijuana smoke is an irritant to the throat and lungs and can cause a heavy cough during use. It also contains levels of volatile chemicals and tar that are similar to tobacco smoke, raising concerns about risk for cancer and lung disease.68

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Before You Light Up Look Down Poster (1)

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negative smoking - Negative Effects of Smoking Tobacco on Physical Fitness

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Asthma is a chronic disease involving the airways in the lungs. These airways, or bronchial tubes, allow air to come in and out of the lungs. If you have asthma your airways are always inflamed. They become even more swollen and the muscles around the airways can tighten when something triggers your symptoms.

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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is an umbrella term that encompasses several respiratory illnesses that cause breathlessness, or the inability to exhale normally. People usually experience symptoms, including shortness of breath, and normally cough up sputum (mucus from the lungs), especially in the morning. COPD can be tricky for some people to identify, because symptoms are often mistaken for the gradual aging process and body deterioration. In fact, COPD can develop over the course of several years without any signs of shortness of breath. For that reason, Dr. Meyer says COPD often goes undetected for far too long. He says the disease usually begins while people are in their 30s or 40s and then peaks during their 50s, 60s and 70s.

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an umbrella term for a number of lung diseases that prevent proper breathing.

Three of the most common COPD conditions are emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic asthma that isn't fully reversible. These conditions can occur separately or together.

The main symptoms of COPD are breathlessness, chronic cough and sputum (mucus or phlegm) production. Cigarette smokers and ex-smokers are most at risk of COPD.

There is no cure for COPD, and the damaged airways don't regenerate. However, there are things you can do to slow progress of the disease, improve your symptoms, stay out of hospital and live longer.

Symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Symptoms of COPD include:

breathlessness after exertion

in severe cases, breathlessness on minimal exertion or even at rest

wheezing

coughing

coughing up sputum (mucus or phlegm)

fatigue

cyanosis - a blue tinge to the skin caused by insufficient oxygen

increased susceptibility to chest infections.

The structure of the lungs

The lungs are spongy lobes inside the chest, protected by the ribcage. Inhaled air is directed down the trachea (windpipe) into two tubes (bronchi) that each service a lung. The bronchi divide into smaller tubes called bronchioles, and further still into tiny air sacs called alveoli.

Each alveolus has a fine mesh of capillaries where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place. Oxygen molecules dissolve and migrate across a thin film of moisture from the air sac to the bloodstream. Oxygenated blood is sent to the heart and then pumped around the body.

At the same time, carbon dioxide in the blood crosses from the capillaries to the air sacs using the same film of moisture. The carbon dioxide is then breathed out.

How COPD affects lung function

People with emphysema have damaged alveoli and bronchi. The weakened and ruptured air sacs are unable to efficiently move oxygen from the air to the blood. As the disease progresses and damages more air sacs, you may eventually feel breathless even when you are resting.

Bronchitis means inflammation of the bronchi. The lungs normally produce a small amount of fluid to keep healthy, but chronic bronchitis causes an overproduction of fluid. This leads to frequent and productive coughing (producing mucus or phlegm).

Typically, COPD develops so slowly that you don't realise your ability to breathe is gradually becoming impaired. The damage done to the lungs can be considerable before the symptoms are severe enough to notice.

Complications of COPD

If you have COPD you are at increased risk of a number of complications, including:

chest infections - a common cold can easily lead to a severe infection

pneumonia - a lung infection that targets the alveoli and bronchioles

collapsed lung - the lung may develop an air pocket. If the air pocket bursts during a coughing fit, the lung will deflate

heart problems - the heart has to work extremely hard to pump blood through the damaged lungs

osteoporosis - where bones become thin and break more easily. Steroid use in people with COPD is thought to contribute to osteoporosis

anxiety and depression - breathlessness or the fear of breathlessness can often lead to feelings of anxiety and depression

oedema (fluid retention) - problems with blood circulation can cause fluid to pool, particularly in the feet and ankles

hypoxaemia - caused by lack of oxygen to the brain. Symptoms include cognitive difficulties such as confusion, memory lapses and depression

risks of sedentary lifestyle - as symptoms of COPD progress, many people adjust their lifestyle to avoid symptoms. For example, they reduce their physical activity to avoid breathlessness. As they reduce their physical activity, they become less fit and even more breathless on exertion. This downward spiral of inactivity means they are prone to a range of potentially serious health problems, such as obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Causes and risk factors of COPD

Some of the causes and risk factors of COPD include:

cigarette smoking - the most significant risk factor. Around 20 to 25 per cent of smokers will develop COPD. Ex-smokers remain at risk and should be aware of symptoms of breathlessness

long-term exposure to lung irritants - such as chemical vapours or dust from grain or wood. Severe air pollution can make COPD worse in smokers

genes - a genetic disorder known as alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency can trigger emphysema, even if no other risk factors are present.

Diagnosis of COPD

The diagnosis of COPD is based on a breathing test called spirometry. This can be done in a general practice surgery, specialised laboratory or by a specialist. Other tests that may also be carried out include:

physical examination

medical history

gas transfer and lung volume tests

blood tests

sputum analysis

chest x-ray

computed tomography (CT) scan.

Treatment for COPD

There is no cure for COPD, and the damaged lung tissue doesn't repair itself. However, there are things you can do to slow the progression of the disease, improve your symptoms, stay out of hospital and live longer.

Treatment may include:

bronchodilator medication - to open the airways. This medication is best administered by a puffer

corticosteroids - medication to reduce inflammation and swelling of lung tissue. This is usually given by a puffer to minimise the risk of side effects

expectorants - medication to loosen the phlegm and make it easier to cough up

oxygen therapy - is prescribed for many people with chronic lung disease who have low blood oxygen levels. The body can tolerate low levels of oxygen for short periods of time, but low levels of oxygen for long periods of time can cause problems in your vital organs. Home oxygen therapy helps return your blood oxygen levels to normal, reducing the damage to your vital organs. Oxygen therapy is usually prescribed to prolong life and it may also improve quality of life. While the use of oxygen may relieve shortness of breath, in many cases, it does not

treatment for chest infections - such as antibiotics to treat existing infections, and pneumonia and flu vaccinations to reduce the risk of infections in the future

pulmonary rehabilitation - these programs consist of an individual assessment followed by supervised exercise training and education. Programs usually run for about eight weeks and at the end of the program, there is normally re-assessment and referral to an ongoing maintenance exercise program such as Lungs in Action (where available)

surgery - a technique called lung volume reduction surgery is a possible option for a small number of people with COPD. Affected portions of diseased lung tissue are surgically removed, which allows the healthier tissue to better expand and contract. Another possible technique involves insertion of endobronchial valves to achieve lung volume reduction

ongoing monitoring - a person with COPD needs regular medical check-ups.

Lifestyle factors for COPD

If you have COPD it can help to make a number of important lifestyle changes, including:

quitting smoking - techniques can include 'cold turkey', counselling, nicotine replacement therapy and medications that work on brain receptors. Evidence shows that counselling, together with medical therapy, is most effective

being as physically active as possible. If possible, attend pulmonary rehabilitation

following a COPD action plan

eating a healthy diet

making adjustments to your lifestyle and home environment to ensure plenty of rest

keeping adequately hydrated to help keep the mucus in your lungs runny and easier to cough up

avoiding smoky or dusty environments

joining a support group - call Lung Foundation Australia (Tel. 1800 654 301) for information on a support group close to you.

Where to get help

Content Partner

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by: Lung Foundation Australia

Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health & Human Services shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.

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Lung conditions - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an umbrella term for a number of lung diseases that prevent proper breathing. Three of the most common COPD conditions are emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic asthma that isn't fully reversible. These conditions can occur separately or together.

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The flu can make you miserable for a number of reasons, including fever, body aches, and a dry cough. The virus that causes the flu can infect the epithelial cells in your lungs and start reproducing itself within your lung tissue. That leads to more inflammation as immune cells in the area try to fight back to get rid of the virus. The flu may also harm your lungs because it makes you more likely to get another infection, such as pneumonia.

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Allergies to triggers like pollen, dust, and pets don't usually affect the lungs. But allergies and asthma often go hand-in-hand. If you have both conditions, being exposed to an allergen like pollen can trigger an asthma attack.

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Anxiety is your body’s natural fear response. This is known as the the fight-or-flight response. Your body reacts in physical and mental ways to prepare you to either fight or run from the situation.

Shortness of breath is one of those responses. You may feel like you can’t catch your breath, tightness in your chest, or like you’re suffocating or hungry for air.

Studies have shown a strong association between anxiety and respiratory symptoms, including shortness of breath.

Other symptoms that can occur during this response and as a result of anxiety include:

faster breathing (hyperventilation)

chest tightness

breathlessness or a feeling of suffocation

feeling like you have a lump in your throat

muscle tension

heart palpitations (feels like a stronger, faster heartbeat)

feeling faint, dizzy, or unsteady

nausea or stomach discomfort

restlessness, irritability, or feeling on edge

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Difficulty Breathing – Anxiety and Panic Symptoms Explained!

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Shortness of breath and other physical symptoms happen in the fight-or-flight response to protect you. With anxiety, you may not be running for your life. But your body still responds as if you are.

You experience chest tightening, shortness of breath, and faster breathing because your body is trying to get more oxygen to your muscles, preparing you to run. Your heart rate increases and you may feel hot as more blood pumps to your muscles, preparing you to fight.

All of these symptoms are normal body responses designed to save your life.

Of course, you probably aren’t often running or fighting for your life — from wild bear attacks or men with chain saws. But your body still reacts to your trip to the crowded grocery store, your work presentation, and other anxiety-provoking events as if you were.

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Being a couch potato. Not exercising. A sedentary or inactive lifestyle. You have probably heard of all of these phrases, and they mean the same thing: a lifestyle with a lot of sitting and lying down, with very little to no exercise.

Physical inactivity may increase the risks of certain cancers.

Physical inactivity may contribute to anxiety and depression.

Physical inactivity has been shown to be a risk factor for certain cardiovascular diseases.

People who engage in more physical activity are less likely to develop coronary heart disease.

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Smoking Cannabis and Respiratory Tract Infections with Dr. Hirota

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Witness smoking's toll on the respiratory system as ciliated cells die and the mucous membrane breaks down Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

[Music in]

NARRATOR: One thing our mucous membranes and macrophages aren't capable of handling is the volume of heavily polluted air inhaled by a smoker.

Because the smoke bypasses the nasal cavity, the burden of catching all the particles rests entirely on the mucous membrane, from the throat on down, which then becomes irritated and inflamed.

As this pollution reaches the alveoli the macrophages multiply in an attempt to handle the workload, but as long as the smoker continues, it's a losing battle. Eventually, the mucous membranes begin to break down. The ciliated cells start to die and are replaced by smooth cells.

Without the beating cilia to give it direction, the particle laden mucus accumulates into globs. Gravity pulls these globs deeper into the lungs, clogging and restricting air flow, triggering . . .

. . . smoker's cough, a smoke induced bronchitis which attempts to drive the mucus globs up and out of the airways.

With continued smoking, the mucus begins plugging up the smallest airways, the bronchioles. Air that has been drawn in cannot go out--alveoli are cut off and the lungs cannot fully exhale.

This is emphysema. As a result of this condition the alveolar walls begin to break down. The respiratory membrane is being permanently destroyed.

[Music out]

As the patient loses the ability to exhale, the amount of air that can be inhaled decreases, and the breaths become shorter and more rapid.

In the final stages the patient must wear an oxygen mask. There is so little usable respiratory membrane remaining that it must be assisted by [music in] artificially enriching the oxygen intake.

The destroyed respiratory membrane couldn't be restored now even if the patient stopped smoking. In this advanced stage the emphysema patient is so weakened and susceptible to other diseases that a mild cold could be fatal.

The earlier one gives up smoking, the better [music out]. When smoking stops, the destruction stops--and the repair begins. The macrophages are no longer overwhelmed by the workload. Smoker's cough goes away.

[Music in]

Years of heavy smoking require years of repair. Even then, the respiratory system will never be as good as it would have been if it had never been subjected to smoke in the first place.

That's why it's best never to start.

Our respiratory system is the gateway between our living cells and the oxygen that surrounds us. If we damage it in any way, we are limiting our ability to interact with, and be a part of, the world in which we live.

[Music out]

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Witness smoking's toll on the respiratory system as ciliated cells die and the mucous membrane breaks down

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Music in] NARRATOR: One thing our mucous membranes and macrophages aren't capable of handling is the volume of heavily polluted air inhaled by a smoker. Because the smoke bypasses the nasal cavity, the burden of catching all the particles rests entirely on the mucous membrane, from the throat on down, which then becomes irritated and inflamed.

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How do cigarettes affect the body? - Krishna Sudhir

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The heart and the lungs are intimately connected. Far from being independent organs, they toil together to ensure that all the cells in your body receive the oxygen they need to survive. For most of us breathing is spontaneous and effortless, but sometimes it can become a challenge. Lung and respiratory system complications like infections, allergies, asthma and bronchitis can all lead to difficulties breathing, but sometimes breathlessness could be an indication that there’s a problem with your heart...

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Heart disease affects the respiratory system by causing irregularities in the way fluid is carried away from the lungs. Looking after your heart health is extremely important for your whole body, especially your lungs. Find out more.
Heart disease and the respiratory system

So how does coronary heart disease affect the respiratory system? The heart and the lungs are intimately connected. Far from being independent organs, they toil together to ensure that all the cells in your body receive the oxygen they need to survive. For most of us breathing is spontaneous and effortless, but sometimes it can become a challenge. Lung and respiratory system complications like infections, allergies, asthma and bronchitis can all lead to difficulties breathing, but sometimes breathlessness could be an indication that there's a problem with your heart.

How heart disease affects the respiratory system

The heart pumps blood around the body but first it pumps it to the lungs to ensure that the red blood cells are topped up with essential oxygen. It's an incredible process:

1. You breathe in air from the world around you. In the lungs, the oxygen passes into the bloodstream and attaches to a protein called haemoglobin in the red blood cells.

2. This oxygenated blood returns to the heart where it is then pumped through the blood vessels around the organs and tissues of the body.

3. The cells use the oxygen and release carbon dioxide, which is transported in the blood back to the heart.

4. The heart pumps this deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

5. The carbon dioxide passes through the thin walls to be released when you breathe out, ready for the whole process to start again.

How the heart can affect breathing

This is a delicate and finely balanced system, so when something goes wrong it can have enormous effects. If the heart is diseased or damaged and can't pump efficiently it can significantly affect the lungs, meaning that breathing can be impaired.
If you would like to learn more about heart disease; the history, causes, and the various treatments, see Heart Disease: A Deeper Dive
Heart failure

Coronary artery disease, heart attack, high blood pressure, irregular rhythms and valve abnormalities can all take their toll on your heart, affecting its ability to pump properly. The organ can become more and more weak, until it is unable to effectively send blood around the body. The blood tends to back-up in the body and fluid passes into the tissues, this leads to swelling. This congestion is the reason heart failure is often called congestive cardiac failure . In the early stages, the breathlessness may only be noticeable when you're exercising. Later, when the heart isn't working well you may feel tired, weak and short of breath, even at rest.

Pulmonary oedema

Pulmonary oedema simply means fluid on the lungs. When liquid collects in the air spaces the ability of the lungs to oxygenate blood is affected . It can be a scary and unpleasant condition leaving you gasping for breath. Pulmonary oedema can be caused by lung disease, but when heart failure is more serious, the pressure of blood in the lungs builds-up, pushing fluid into the air sacs. This is how heart failure can lead to respiratory failure. People with pulmonary oedema will feel breathless, weak and unwell. You may cough up pink, frothy stuff and notice that the shortness of breath is often worse at night when you're lying down. The effects of gravity mean that excess fluid from puffy ankles or legs comes back into the system making it more difficult for the heart to cope. Lying flat, the fluid in the lungs can make you feel as if you're drowning. Sleeping propped up with pillows can help, but if you're suffering with any of these symptoms it's important to get emergency medical support.

Heart attack

A heart attack happens when one of the main arteries carrying blood to the heart, become blocked. This means the muscle will be starved of the oxygen it needs to survive. This causes pain but can also lead to feeling short of breath. Without rapid treatment, part of the heart muscle can die, making the heart less effective at pumping blood and increasing the risk of breathlessness and heart failure.

Heart rate irregularities

Your heart's regular pattern of beats is controlled by the body's electrical circuit. Short-circuits, heart attacks, health problems, alcohol and caffeine can all affect this process leading to a rapid or irregular beat. When the heart beats too fast, usually more than 100 beats per minute, it's called tachycardia.

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If the heart rate is too fast, it can be difficult for the muscle to pump the blood effectively, leading to breathlessness and sometimes fainting and collapse.

It's essential to get immediate medical attention if you have trouble breathing, especially if you've got palpitations, chest pain or breathlessness that's worse lying down.

If a loved one is suffering with their breathing and especially if they are grey, clammy and distressed, call 999 and gently reassure and support them until they get the treatment they need. If you or someone you know is facing a diagnosis of heart disease, hometouch can help. Our carers are on hand to provide a friendly face and a helping hand right through to more advanced care. They're available for a few hours a day to full time live-in care. Whatever the requirements, we can help you to find the care and companionship you or your loved one needs to help them to live safely and happily in their own home.

Find out more about heart disease:

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How heart disease affects the respiratory system | hometouch

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Heart disease affects the respiratory system by causing irregularities in the way fluid is carried away from the lungs. Looking after your heart health is extremely important for your whole body, especially your lungs. Find out more. So how does coronary heart disease affect the respiratory system?

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Breathing in air pollutants can irritate your airways and may cause shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, asthma episodes and chest pain. Exposure to air pollution puts you at risk for lung cancer, heart attacks, stroke and in extreme cases, premature death.

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Lung cancer can start anywhere in the lungs and may affect any part of the respiratory system. This can cause breathing or heart problems, such as: Pleural effusion, which is the buildup of fluid between the outer lining of the lungs and the chest wall.

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The bar chart shows that when mothers smoke, the birthweight of their babies is reduced.

Suggest two pieces of additional information that would need to be collected before drawing firm conclusions about the effect of mothers smoking on the birthweight of babies.

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Smoking - Non-communicable diseases in humans - Eduqas - GCSE Biology (Single Science) Revision - Eduqas - BBC Bitesize

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The bar chart shows that when mothers smoke, the birthweight of their babies is reduced. Suggest two pieces of additional information that would need to be collected before drawing firm conclusions about the effect of mothers smoking on the birthweight of babies.