Long-Term Effects of Smoke Inhalation - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Introduction

Smoke inhalation is a global concern causing various respiratory and other health issues. In addition, inhaling toxic smoke particles causes irritation in the airway and further leads to respiratory tract obstruction and congestion by blocking the airway with membrane swelling. Long-term effects of smoke inhalation can be very chronic depending upon the amounts of smoke inhaled and, therefore, can be related to multiple diseases.

Smoke inhalation incidents usually occur if a person gets trapped in a smoke or fire accident and ingests harmful smoke particles. This smoke can affect the lung and heart and produces long-term effects on a person's health, which can be life-threatening and fatal in severe cases. Therefore, fire incidents and smoke inhalation should be tackled carefully to avoid serious health complications.

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Smoke Inhalation?

The long-term effects caused by smoke inhalation include:

• Coronary heart disease.

• Heart stroke.

• Heart attack.

• Cerebrovascular diseases.

• Peripheral vascular disease.

• Cancer.

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

• Pneumonia.

• Asthma.

• Bronchitis.

• Impotence in males.

• Infertility in females.

What Are the Symptoms Suggesting Smoke Inhalation?

The symptoms caused by smoke inhalation are as follows:

• Severe cough occurs due to irritation caused by smoke in the mucus membrane of the respiratory tract.

• Shortness of breath is also caused because the blood oxygen level decreases due to an injury to the respiratory tract. Sometimes rapid breathing also occurs due to the increased need for oxygen after damage.

• Headaches, nausea, and vomiting are also caused by the carbon monoxide particles present in the smoke.

• Swelling occurs in the airway tract, which leads to hoarseness in voice caused due to an injury to the vocal cords. Airway blockage can also occur due to fluid collection in the upper airway passage.

• Skin redness can occur due to swelling caused by carbon monoxide in the smoke. It also appears bluish or pale due to the lack of oxygen in the blood. Smoke inhalation also produces skin burns sometimes.

• Smoke effects can cause damage to the cornea of the eyes, irritation, and redness.

• Fainting, confusion and reduced mental alertness are also caused by smoke inhalation.

• Smoke can also cause coma or death in some situations.

• Excessive coughing and irritation of the respiratory tract can cause severe chest pain.

How Is Smoke Inhalation Diagnosed?

Smoke inhalation is diagnosed in the following ways:

• First, chest x-rays to diagnose the infection and lung damage caused by smoke.

• The doctor also advises various blood tests, such as a complete blood test to check platelet count, red blood cell count, and white blood cell count.

• Methemoglobin and carboxyhemoglobin levels are also checked for diagnosing carbon monoxide poisoning.

• The doctor also does AGB or arterial blood gas tests to measure the carbon dioxide and oxygen chemistry and amount in the arterial blood.

• The doctor also does a bronchoscopy to check the damage caused by the smoke in the airway tract and collect samples from the respiratory passage. The bronchoscopy procedure is also used to treat smoke inhalation to remove the debris from the airway tract.

• A pulse oximeter is used to monitor the oxygen saturation in the body.

How Can One Treat Long-Term Smoke Inhalation?

The doctor can treat smoke inhalation in the following ways:

• Oxygen Therapy - It is given to a person through the nose with a tube or mask; in severe cases, a person can be intubated by the doctor to provide airway support. Supportive treatment is also offered depending on the symptoms produced.

• Bronchoscopy - It is done to determine the damage caused by the smoke inhalation to the respiratory tract. Bronchoscopy is usually done to examine the airway tract in case of severe respiratory failure or collapse. The procedure is done with a thin tube with an attached camera inserted into the respiratory tract after giving sedatives and painkillers.

• Hyperbaric Oxygenation (HOBO) - This treatment method is usually considered if a person has carbon monoxide poisoning due to smoke inhalation. In this procedure compressed chamber of oxygen is given to a person. It can also treat the symptoms of the nervous system caused by smoke and is very beneficial for treating cases of prolonged smoke inhalation.

• Medications- A person suffering from long-term effects of smoke inhalation needs inhalers throughout life and is also prescribed other medicines by the doctor. Regular follow-ups are also crucial during recovery and help improve a person's condition with proper medical guidance.

How Can One Prevent Smoke Inhalation?

People can prevent smoke inhalation in the following ways:

• First, people can install smoke detectors in homes, especially in sleep areas and other closed areas, to avoid smoke inhalation events any chance.

• Installed smoke detectors and their batteries should be checked by people regularly for maintenance once a year.

• Always make an escape plan with the family and workplace to combat such situations and prevent smoke inhalation incidents.

• People should also keep fire extinguishers at homes in different areas to neutralize fire incidents.

• Cigarettes and candles should never be left unattended as they can cause mishaps or fire accidents.

• Cooking gas should not be left unattended, and also check the nobs of the gas stove before leaving the area after cooking.

• Care must be taken while handling firewood in households for cooking purposes. It is always better to avoid using firewood for cooking as it can increase indoor air pollution too.

Conclusion

Smoke inhalation is the primary cause of death due to fire incidents as it can damage the respiratory tract, lungs, heart, and other body organs. The symptoms caused by smoke inhalation can even have a long-term impact on the person's health, thus causing life-long diseases and conditions.

The long-term effects of smoke inhalation can be mild initially. They can become chronic health issues, affecting the respiratory system and other body organs. Therefore, a person exposed to smoke directly or indirectly must visit the nearest healthcare provider for medical treatment and reduce further effects on the health. People should follow preventive measures to avoid fire incidents at home to reduce the risk of smoke inhalation.