Does smoking cause emphysema, or not?

Question

I know I'll get theanswers from kids based on what they have been taught & that's great, but I'm looking for replies from people that know about the subject.

My aunt is an RN, late 50's, and a smoker of 30 years... with no trace of COPD. My grandfather lived to be 85 and smoked since he was 12, no respiratory problems.

My aunt says that medical experts and scientists don't really KNOW what causes emphysema and if you talk to one they will tell you they think it CAN increase your chances of developing the disease, but aren't even sure by what %. I have read her med journals that skate around the subject.

She says people that don't smoke and live in highly industrialized cities get it as often as people that smoke. She says she's treated as many patients with emphysema that didn't smoke as ones that did, many of those not subjected to 2nd hand smoke

Does smoking CAUSE emphysema or not? I know I'll get "if you smoke, you'll die", but I'm hoping for educated input

Tex - Ok, by how much? That's my point. 1/2 of a percent? 75 percent? I'm not trying to make smoking ok. There is just SO MUCH back and forth about emphysema, which you didn't even hear about until Johnny Carson died from it and then it was all over the media - which doesn't make it true.

theonly: NOT true - but I appreciate your input, just not your take on the subject. I used to smoke, but no longer do. I'm in my 30's so not worried about emphysema.

Answer 1

I don't have documented information on the rates of emphysema in smokers vs. nonsmokers, but I have TONS of first-hand experience with transporting people with emphysema.

Smoking can absolutely cause emphysema. Chemicals inhaled when smoking cause breakdown of the alveoli in the lungs, which destroys the elasticity. Emphysema is when the alveoli have lost their elasticity and air becomes trapped in them. Many patients with emphysema are "barrel-chested" which is a result of trapped air, as well as very thin as all of their energy is being used to breathe.

The reason that people who don't smoke can get emphysema can be for numerous reason, the most common being air pollution (same stuff can be found in cigarettes) and second-hand smoke. Emphysema is not hereditary and cannot be contracted with an external cause.

Emphysema itself can absolutely kill you. When your lungs have lost all elasticity you will simply not be able to breathe anymore. Your lungs rely on elasticity to expand and contract, so it makes perfect sense that when they stop expanding and contracting, you will stop breathing.

Another big problem with this disease is that if a surgical procedure is needed during which the patient will need to be placed on a ventilator, it is nearly impossible to wean this patient from the vent following the procedure. It becomes a long and complicated process as their lungs are so comfortable not doing the amount of work they would otherwise do.

I have transported many many people who smoked for 20-70 years and are now living the remainder of their lives walking around with oxygen condensers or vents, or who are lying in a bed waiting for their lungs to finally give out altogether.

Proven or not, I don't understand why anyone would want to take the chance. In my 11 years of experience -- smoking causes emphysema.

Answer 2

Well I can tell you from my health. I'm 56 years old and smoked since I was 14, I have severe COPD (Emphysema) and my Mother died last year of COPD from smoking most of her life, she was 80 but started later in life and didn't smoke as heavy as I did. My Dad had lung cancer and had
1/3 of a lung removed, he died of a heart attack 2 years later. I quite smoking 3 years ago, but can't get around very well any more because of my breathing. Hope this helps. Some people are more lucky than others, why take the chance.
Yes, you can die from Emphysema, COPD is Chronic Emphysema or Bronchitis. (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

Answer 3

Smoking absolutely causes emphysema that is why I quit smoking, I dont want any COPD when I am older.

This is coming from an ex-smoker so I am giving you my opinion, not trying to be all "smoking is bad blah blah".


It raises your chances of getting it by a large percent, although I do not know if there are numbers out there.

Answer 4

First you do not die from emphysema you die from health related diseases like heart failure or lung cancer. Both my parents were smokers and had emphysema and my father died because of heart failure because of the strain the emphysema put on this heart. My mother died of lung cancer, and I am sure the emphysema played a part as well as the smoking. If you ever had to watch both your parents die very painful deaths, and if not smoking might ease that pain it's a small price to pay. The doctor said that smoking doesn't cause emphysema, but if you have a family history of emphysema, it will bring it on sooner and worsen it. I agree with the poster that's said your family wants to smoke and be guilt free. I say smoke if you want, but just realize it's like playing Russian Roulette with your health

Answer 5

actually I think you are looking for a rationalization that will allow you and your aunt (who should know better) to smoke without guilt.
A great many more people that smoke, develop emphysema than those that do not.

Answer 6

There is no exact proof of any evidence but I feel family history , environment, quality of life style, and diet play a big roll. No one can say if you smoke you die.........My ex is a chain smoker since 14 now 66 healthy as a horse...my friend never smoked or drank and has it.. so the decision is yours...good luck

Answer 7

the rate of epmphysema is exponentially higher in smokers than non smokers. Do you really need any more than that?