Why are nonsmokers lung volumes larger than smokers lung volumes?
344856
Because the smokers lungs fill with tar and there isn't as much room for air. They also become less efficient at absorbing oxygen.
780534
In normal breathing, air is drawn in through the bronchial passages and down into the increasingly fine network of tubing in the lungs called the alveoli, which are many thousands of tiny sacs surrounded by capillaries. These absorb the oxygen and transfer it into the blood. When toxins such as smoke are breathed into the lungs, the particles are trapped by the hairs and cannot be exhaled, leading to a localised inflammatory response. Chemicals released during the inflammatory response (trypsin, elastase, etc.) begin to break down the walls of alveoli (alveolar septum). This leads to fewer but larger alveoli, with a decreased surface area and a decreased ability to take up oxygen and lose carbon dioxide. The activity of another molecule called alpha 1-antitrypsin normally neutralizes the destructive action of one of these damaging molecules.\n\nAfter a prolonged period, hyperventilation becomes inadequate to maintain high enough oxygen levels in the blood, and the body compensates by vasoconstricting appropriate vessels. This leads to pulmonary hypertension. This leads to enlargement and increased strain on the right side of the heart, which in turn leads to peripheral edema (swelling of the peripherals) as blood gets backed up in the systemic circulation, causing fluid to leave the circulatory system and accumulate in the tissues.\n\nEmphysema occurs in a higher proportion in patient with decreased alpha 1-antitrypsin (A1AT) levels (alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency, A1AD). In A1AD, inflammatory enzymes (such as elastase) are able to destroy the alveolar tissue (the elastin fibre, for example). Most A1AD patients do not develop clinically significant emphysema, but smoking and severely decreased A1AT levels (10-15%) can cause emphysema at a young age. In all, A1AD causes about 2% of all emphysema. However, smokers with A1AD are in the highest risk category for emphysema.
185144
The larger something is, the greater the volume is compared to surfac area.  Volume grows as a cube of the radius, while surface area grows as the square of the radius.  So, if a cell gets twice as large in diameter, the surface area grows by 4-fold, while the volume grows by 8-fold.  This is why small animals are so much more vulnerable to cold, because they have greater relative surface area through which to lose heat, while large animals have the opposite problem-not enough surface area to get rid of the heat generated in the large volume.
380703
We drive our cars; they add more gases to the air and make extra pollution. What about factories and machines that do the same?\nThese all just more danger added to the smoking danger, non smokers have the effect of the pollution only but smokers have the both of pollution and smoking.\n\nThe environment and biological inheritance effect smokers more than anyone else because smokers already effected by smoking habits which is a bad habit. It is Better for smoker to quit smoking  and better for us to do our best to keep our environment with no pollution or at least less pollution
691888
I think almost all cigarettes do this. They create small tears in the lungs to absorb the chemicals faster.
1126400
Tobacco smoke causes inflammation of the alveoli of the lungs,so surface area for gas exchange may be decreased.This is called emphysema
388349
The right lung has three lobes (superior, middle, and inferior from top to bottom), and the left only has two (superior and inferior).  \n\nA side note: this difference has been attributed to the fact that the heart resides a bit more in the left chest than the right, and three lobes plus the heart would be a bit too snug for the lungs or heart to function properly.
1081639
No specific cross reaction between smoking and lortab usage.  \n\nI think you mean sarcoid.  If his sarcoid progresses and it affects the lung, smoking will hasten the demise of his lungs.  If one disease is affecting his lungs, smoking will only progress his lung disease and in fact will accelerate it.
878264
ever notice that hardcore non-smokers never complain about industrial smokestacks, car exhaust fumes, diesel fumes, or cow farts!  not the smoke from a stove or fireplace.  not the local chicken processing plant or the paper mill??  just about the rights of a smoker.  we're in training by our government & a few "i think i'm perfect" people.  kinda' like Pavlov's dog.
305270
Studies have shown that one "average" sized joint packs the same amount of toxins as an entire pack of cigarettes.  You can actually get lung disease faster (much faster) by smoking weed than by smoking cigarettes.\n\nWeed does actually cause lung cancer, asthma and emphysema as well as COPD.\n\nFor a rush, just stop smoking for a few days then do it again.  Whew!\n\nDo people honestly think pot is grown without the use of chemicals and pesticides???  DUH!  Unless you're paying absolute TOP DOLLAR, you're getting chemicals.  And if you are paying top dollar, all that resin is going in your lungs...or stomach.
828985
Maybe it is because a smoker collects all of the toxins/smoke/etc. in their lungs and the cough is the body's reaction to expel everything via phlegm.  If you give the heavy smoker the cough suppressant, it may depress the cough reflex, they could build up phlegm, and maybe be prone to an infection?  Just a guess, not medical knowledge!
401322
There is increased resistance associated with the left ventricle due to the larger volume of blood and capillary beds in the whole body vs. just the lungs for the right ventricle.
940310
Hello Sue\n\nIm not a doctor but I do have some experience in this area. I was a smoker for 50 years but stopped cold turkey after a heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery 14 months ago.\n\nIt is my theory that smoking robs the heart and artories of oxygen and that allows plaque buildup, it also hampers your breathing and causes laziness so smokers are less apt to exersize then non smokers are.\n\nAfter 14 smoke free months my risk of heart attack is now half that of a smoker and thats a good thing.\nBy the way I was smoking 2 packs a day so it wasnt easy.\n\nLeon
309059
No. Band members, especially low, brass do. I am a tuba player, and have a lung capacity of 6 liters. The best lung capacity increasing exercises are designed for brass players. Look into the work of Arnold Jacobs, He wrote a lot on the subject.
282015
Your lungs contain almost 1500 miles of airways and over 300 million alveoli. \nEvery minute you breathe in 13 pints of air.
886231
well, your lungs because when you walk,runplay basketball, play tennis or even golf. smoking effects your lungs and slows you down in any physical activity
431858
Different practices affect respiration in different ways.  It all depends on your body's need for oxygen.  Sports will sometimes, not that often, increase your total lung capacity, but more than that it works in your blood to allow you to store more oxygen in the blood.  Smoking and diseases can reduce your lung's ability to stretch open, such as asthma. Other diseases can make it harder to take oxygen out of your lungs and put it in your bloodstream.