There are many similarities between marijuana and cigarette smoking, including the fact that both can lead to emphysema. However, studies have shown that marijuana smoking is actually more likely to cause this lung disease than cigarette smoking.
Emphysema is a serious lung condition that causes shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. It is caused by the damage of the alveoli, the small air sacs in the lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged. This damage is typically caused by inflammation, which is common in both marijuana and cigarette smokers.
Marijuana smokers tend to inhale more deeply and hold their breath for longer periods of time than cigarette smokers, which leads to more exposure of the lungs to the smoke. In addition, the marijuana smoke contains higher levels of tar and other harmful chemicals than cigarette smoke. These factors likely contribute to the increased risk of emphysema in marijuana smokers.
If you smoke marijuana, it is important to be aware of the risks. If you are experiencing any difficulty breathing, it is important to see a doctor right away. Emphysema is a serious lung disease that can be fatal if not treated promptly and properly.
Marijuana smoking is associated with a small but significant increase in the risk of developing emphysema, according to a new study.
The study, published in the journal Thorax, found that marijuana smokers were more than twice as likely as non-smokers to develop the lung disease.
“Our study provides further evidence that marijuana smoking is not harmless,” said lead author Dr. Scott Weichenthal, of McGill University in Montreal, Canada.
“Marijuana smokers should be aware of the potential risks of smoking and should quit if they are able to do so.”
Emphysema is a chronic lung disease that causes shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing. It is a progressive disease, meaning it gets worse over time.
There is no cure for emphysema, but quitting smoking is the best way to prevent the disease from getting worse.
The new study looked at nearly 2,000 adults who participated in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Overall, the study found that the prevalence of emphysema was 7.5 percent among smokers, 2.2 percent among former smokers and 0.4 percent among those who had never smoked.
The study also found that marijuana smoking was associated with a 2.5-fold increased risk of emphysema, after taking into account factors such as age, sex and race.
“Our findings suggest that marijuana smoking may be an important, and under-recognized, risk factor for emphysema,” Weichenthal said.
“Given the increasing legalization of marijuana, further research is needed to understand the potential health risks of marijuana smoking.”
