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Can smoking cause difficulty breathing and mucus cough?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am an 18-year-old, and I have been having a problem breathing for almost two months. I have a voluntary cough that sounds wet, sometimes coughing up mucus. I have also had a very little chest pain that comes and goes but does not bothers me. This started after I smoked cigarettes for the first time almost a year ago. Kindly suggest.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through the history you have given. Since smoking exposure is very less the possibility of acute bronchitis, psychological breathing problem is more likely to occur. I want to know a few more things. Please let me know. 1. How many days did you smoke? And in total, how many cigarettes? 2. What is your height and weight? 3. Do you have any stress? Please reply to me with answers to the above-asked questions so I can better guide you. Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the response. I have had five cigarettes a day. I am 6 ft, and my weight is 170 lbs. I have had a lot of anxiety because of the breathing issues, sometimes it is there but not that bad, and sometimes it flares up and almost makes me panic, which has been going on for the last two months.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. From your history and description, the possibility of psychological breathing issues is more likely. You fear that you have done something wrong, damaged your lungs permanently by smoking, and they will not heal now. Is it so? May I know the clinical findings as suggested by doctor you consulted? I want to see whether you have any abnormal breath sounds like bronchi or wheezing while checking from the stethoscope. Can you send me a consultation note from your doctor? Thank you.

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At September 12, 2022
Reviewed AtJune 20, 2024

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Kaushal Bhavsar
Dr. Kaushal Bhavsar

Pulmonology (Asthma Doctors)

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