Smoker's cough

definition

The often long-standing cough that smokers develop after a certain period of tobacco consumption is popularly known as "Smoker's cough" designated. It is not a technical term from conventional medicine.
However, the term "smoker's cough" implies in most cases a certain type of Coughwhich almost exclusively affects long-term smokers. This cough is mostly associated with a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease called the COPD.

In the COPD it is a disease of the lungs, which leads to functional restrictions of the organ and to the destruction of the lung tissue. It affects almost exclusively smokers and leads to one chronic bronchitis or one Emphysema.

In this sense, the smoker's cough does not denote an independent clinical picture, but is rather a colloquial expression for a symptom in the context of COPD in smokers.

Symptoms

The smoker's cough is a cough which especially in the morning is most pronounced after getting up. It is usually accompanied by a brownish, tough expectoration. This is produced by the lining of the lungs through the constant inflammatory stimulus associated with smoking. A Failure to expectorate is rather atypical for a smoker's cough and suggests other causes. If you quit smoking, there is a chance that sputum will decrease over time.
The sputum may contain blood. This indicates an existing COPD. In principle, blood can also have other causes, such as one Lung tumor, and should therefore be clarified by a doctor. The cough usually lasts for months and years and in many cases is the first harbinger of developing COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Therefore, a cough that persists for more than three weeks and is not directly related to an infection should also always be clarified by a doctor. The smoker's cough is usually more pronounced in winter and autumn than in spring and summer. In addition to coughing with sputum, most smokers have a stress-dependent cough Shortness of breath, also Dyspnea called, on.

Expectoration

Smoker's cough is typically accompanied by a sputum. A dry cough is for a smoker's cough rather atypical and suggests another cause of the cough. Sputum is one of the main characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

In the course of the consumption of pollutants caused by tobacco consumption, the lungs are so damaged that they undergo certain restructuring processes. The intact mucous membrane changes and swells (hypertrophy). A chronic inflammation develops, which leads to an increased production of mucus through the lining of the lungs. The natural cleaning function of the lungs is so impaired that the fine cilia, which would normally transport dirt, bacteria and pollutants out of the lungs towards the mouth, can no longer do their job. This creates a tough, brownish mucus, which is coughed up especially in the morning. This can be up to 60 ml per day.

In the case of advanced disease and a long-standing cough, the sputum may also contain blood. This is known as Hemoptysis. Since blood can also be traced back to another lung disease, e.g. lung cancer, this should always be clarified by a doctor quickly. Should an infection occur, the color of the sputum can change so that it can appear greenish or yellowish.

causes

The main cause of smoker's cough is chronic tobacco consumption and nicotine abuse. Pollutants in the environment and an otherwise unhealthy way of life also play a role, but should be viewed as minor risk factors. Chronic tobacco consumption leads to the destruction and remodeling of the lining of the lungs. These pollutants cause chronic inflammation in the lungs, resulting in bronchitis and a Emphysema flows out.
Pulmonary emphysema is a non-reversible (irreversible) Overinflation of the small sections of the lungs, which are essential for the exchange of oxygen and thus for human breathing. In the course of the inflammation, the lining of the lungs swells. The fine cilia, which are responsible for cleaning the lungs, can no longer carry out their task under constant stress and so pollutants and infections accumulate, as the immune defense is also weakened. The chronic inflammation in the lungs (COPD) leads to an unpleasant cough, which is particularly pronounced at night and in the morning after getting up and is associated with sputum.

Treatment / therapy

The smoker's cough is usually a symptom of a chronic lung disease, namely COPD. The therapy is therefore adapted to the clinical picture. The most important step in therapy is first of all Quit smoking. If no chronic lung disease has occurred, the smoker's cough will resolve itself and no therapy is necessary. In the vast majority of cases, however, the smoker's cough has existed for several years and is an expression of COPD.
There are medicinal and physical therapy approaches here. There are, however no curative therapy. Irreversible changes in the lungs therefore remain despite therapy. Medicines that are inhaled are usually used to relieve shortness of breath and coughing. There are mainly so-called Bronchodilators such as beta-2 mimetics (e.g. fenoterol, salmeterol) and Anticholinergics (e.g. ipratropium bromide) in use. These help cough up the mucus and widen the airways.
Glucocorticoids, which have an anti-inflammatory effect, are also used. Physical therapy uses techniques that make breathing easier and promote effective breathing. With the help of so-called PEP devices, these can also be practiced at home and better breathing techniques can be practiced. Ultimately, if COPD is very advanced, there are surgical procedures and, as a last resort, one Lung transplant in question.

Home remedies for smoker's cough

First of all it should be said that it is essential is this Quit smokingto induce lung recovery. If you continue smoking, neither medical therapies nor home remedies will help. The damage to the lungs then increases.

With mild symptoms without chronic lung disease, you can Home remedies for coughs help alleviate the discomfort. These include herbs such as eucalyptus, marshmallow root, sage, peppermint, ribwort, thyme and chamomile blossom, but also honey. These remedies can be boiled and drunk as tea, inhaled as an infusion or, for example, placed on the neck with compresses. Many doctors recommend it accompanying conventional medical therapy Soothing infusions, compresses or teas that can make breathing easier and clear the airways.

However, it is important to have a doctor assess the severity of the smoker's cough and the disease so as not to run the risk of treating a severe lung disease too late. In addition to medical therapy or in the case of very mild symptoms without structural lung damage, home remedies can help to improve the symptoms. However, if there is no improvement after 3 days at the latest, a doctor should be consulted.

Relieve smoker's cough

The smoker's cough can be relieved through various exercises, home remedies and medical therapies. In the following, the main focus will be on how to relieve the smoker's cough a little yourself. However, these exercises and home remedies cannot replace adequate therapy if it is necessary. A Reduction in the number of cigarettes, preferably a Stop smoking, alleviate the discomfort best. Every cigarette less can make a difference.

It is also recommended Endurance sports to make, as this promotes breathing. There are also special breathing exercises that can make breathing easier. Instructions are best obtained from a physiotherapist or pulmonologist.

Inhalations and soothing herbal teas, e.g. peppermint or eucalyptus tea, can help clear the airways and make breathing easier (see section on home remedies).

Smoker's cough in the morning

Smoker's cough occurs especially in the morning on what is caused by tobacco consumption throughout the day. During the day, the lungs cannot “clean up” because they are stressed and burdened by the persistent cigarette smoke. At night there are cleaning processes that, to put it simply, are noticeable in the morning by coughing up the mucus. The length of time you lie down also has its share, as the mucus does not sink down while standing, as it does during the day. However, the cough also occurs at other times of the day.

Smoker's cough in the evening

The smoker's cough can also manifest itself in the evening. In principle, it is more pronounced in the morning, but smokers actually clear their throat throughout the day and cough more often. If the smoker's cough is very pronounced, the symptoms also accumulate in the evening.

Dry smoker's cough

Dry cough is for smokers rather atypical and mostly speaks for other diseases. The smoker's cough can be dry at the beginning of its manifestation, but sputum appears after a short time. A long-term dry cough is absolutely atypical and can be related to other diseases.

Instructions for lung cancer

Lung cancer is a very common disease that particularly affects smokers, as cigarettes contain a large number of carcinogenic substances. There may be indications of an existing cancer in a smoker's cough. These include, among other things Blood in the sputum or a bloody cough as well as a unwanted weight loss. Furthermore, fever and night sweats as well as enormous fatigue or exhaustion can be indications of lung cancer. Nevertheless, a cough that has persisted for longer than three weeks should always be checked, even without the symptoms mentioned, as this cough can also be an indication of cancer.

Duration

The smoker's cough is a chronic occurrence. It usually lasts for several years. If it is mild and has only lasted a few weeks for a short time, there is a good chance that the cough will regress if smoking is immediately given up. However, if tobacco continues to be used and smoking has become chronic, it is likely that the cough will last a lifetime.

After quitting smoking

Quitting smoking is the most effective and best way to stop the smoker's cough. The motto is: The sooner the better! If a smoker's cough has only recently emerged, the chances are good that the symptoms will regress by quitting smoking. With a long-term cough and long-term and intensive tobacco consumption, however, the symptoms can persist. Depends on, how much lung tissue and how badly this damaged has been. Nevertheless, it is worth stopping at any time, as symptoms improve and the risk of cancer is also significantly reduced.