The Effect of Smoking on Asthma Prevalence and Control

Introduction. Determinants of asthma and its clinical course include the interaction between various intrinsic and extrinsic factors, of which exposure to harmful tobacco particles is one of the most important preventable causes of increased morbidity and mortality related to asthma. However, it is surprising that the prevalence of cigarette smoking among patients with asthma is equivalent to prevalence among the general population. Smoking as a Risk Factor for Development of Asthma. Exposure to tobacco smoke stimulates the immune response that can co-occur with asthma, lead to the development of bronchial hyperactivity and chronic inflammation of the respiratory tract, thus favoring the onset of asthma during childhood, as well as adulthood. Asthma Control in Relation to Smoking Habits. Continuous exposure to noxious particles of tobacco smoke, dysfunction of small airways as well as an altered inflammatory response result in irreversible changes. The worsening symptoms and signs of illness can easily remain unnoticed since they develop gradually, so the patients are often unaware of the severity of illness. The Prevalence of Asthma Symptoms Among Smokers. Compared to non-smokers, smokers have more prevalent and severe symptoms at all stages of disease, which is usually related to body weight and overall duration of smoking. Cigarette Smoking as a Risk Factor for Asthma Exacerbation. Current and former smokers are almost twice as likely to have asthma exacerbations and frequent relapses over a short period of time which increases the risk of requiring intensive care treatment The Effect of Smoking on Lung Function. Reduced airway sensitivity to the application of standardized inhalation therapy and the need for additional medications to achieve disease control can lead to irreversible changes and the development of fixed bronchial obstruction.