When writing any article about respiratory health, one needs to consider lung cancer at the top of the list. The CDC publishes the following: “Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death and the second most diagnosed cancer in both men and women in the United States. In 2011, 14% of all cancer diagnoses and 27% of all cancer deaths were due to lung cancer.” Cigarette smoke is the most common cause of lung cancer. It either comes from direct or indirect (second hand smoke) cigarette smoke exposure. It is entirely preventable either by not smoking or avoiding second hand smoke (smoke filled areas).
Radon is the second most likely cause of developing lung cancer. This is an odorless gas that comes from the ground into homes. It is unavoidable unless a radon mitigation system is installed in the basement of a high risk home. Some municipalities are requiring radon testing of rental homes. Most home sales will require a radon level testing prior to the approval or acceptance of an agreement of sale. Smokers who are exposed to a high radon environment are at a greater risk of developing lung cancer than the average smoker, as are those who are exposed to other harmful materials such as asbestos or silica powder.
Asthma rates are greater in children who are exposed to second hand smoke or areas that have a lot of pollution, such as motor vehicle fumes. However, asthma is treatable and will improve when the offending fumes are removed.
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema (both fall into the category of COPD) also result from years of smoking or smoke exposure. These are treatable in the early stages of the disease but the conditions are a lifetime gift resulting (most times, from cigarette smoking.
When a smoker stops smoking the existing medical condition may improve or at least not progress to a worse level of respiratory damage.