9 in 10 Lung Diseases Linked to Smoking

Need another reason to stop smoking? According to new data released by the Public Health England (PHE), 9 in 10 lung diseases are attributed to smoking.

Cigarette smoke contains approximately 4,000 different chemicals, many of which are known to cause cancer as well as other lung diseases. Among the biggest threats posed by smoking, however, is the potential for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or what's more commonly referred to as "smoker's cough." An estimated 11 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with COPD, but medical experts believe the true number -- diagnosed and undiagnosed -- to be roughly 24 million.

COPD is actually a catch-all term used to describe a wide variety of smoking-related conditions which affect the respiratory system, such as bronchitis and emphysema. Researchers say that nearly 90% of all COPD deaths are linked directly to smoking.

Unfortunately, there's no known cure for COPD. It's a debilitating condition that becomes progressively worse over time, impairing the individual's ability to breathe. There are, however, ways to slow down its progression, starting with kicking the habit. As noted by Dr Nicholas Hopkinson, the most important thing a person with COPD can do is to stop smoking completely. The human body is incredibly resilient and will begin to heal itself almost immediately after you put down the cigarettes.

"If diagnosed early; changes in lifestyle, treatments such as pulmonary rehabilitation, and prescription medications can slow down the progression of the disease and help patients cope with symptoms like breathlessness and fatigue," said Dr Nicholas Hopkinson. "However, there is no cure for COPD, so the single most important thing you can do to reduce the chances of getting the condition is to stop smoking completely."

Of course, quitting smoking is easier said than done, especially for long-time smokers. The good news is that smoking cessation treatments and techniques are available, some of which include nicotine patches, nicotine gum, electronic cigarettes, hypnotherapy and even acupuncture. Surprisingly, though, the single most effective way to stop smoking is going cold turkey.