Putting Down the Pack Reduces Asthma
Reported December 14, 2009
(Ivanhoe Newswire) — Smoking impairs the lungs, but new research suggests quitting may reverse some of the damage.
In a new study measuring the effects of smoking on the lungs of asthmatics, smokers had more mucous-producing goblet cells in their epithelium and more overall mucus protein than asthmatics who had never smoked.
“This may be the underlying cause of the fact that smoking asthma patients experience more asthma symptoms, such as shortness of breath and phlegm production, compared to non-smoking asthma patients,” Martine Broekema, Ph.D., lead author of the study, was quoted as saying.
Researchers found no association between length of time after quitting and condition of the epithelial lining, nor any apparent association between the amount of past smoke exposure and the condition of the lining.
“Furthermore, our data suggest that smoking cessation can reverse the thickening of the lining of the airways,” Dr. Broekema said.
Researchers studied 147 patients — 66 non-smokers, 46 ex-smokers and 35 current smokers — for asthma severity and the level of smoke-related symptoms. Dr. Broekema says the study shows measurable health benefits for patients who put down their last cigarette.
SOURCE: The American Thoracic Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, December 15, 2009