Why might it be dangerous to give a heavy smoker a cough suppressant?
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!
901381
JP is right.  Without knowing what is making you cough, it is difficult to prescribe something. Best to go to the doctor. \n\nHaving said that, the most common form of persistent cough is caused by post-nasal drip. Post-nasal drip is mucous that drips onto the back of the tongue, causing the throat tickling and sympathetic coughing.  Less common types of coughing come are bronchial, based on inflammation of the lungs. \n\nTo combat post-nasal drip, it is easiest to just take a ephedra-based antihistimine pill like pseudoephedrine.  If you insist on drinking something, then you can take ma-huang.  However, only take it in the morning because ma-huang contains ephedrine - which will juice you up like a caffeine. \n\nIMHO, best to just pop the pseudofed.  Harmless if it doesn't work. Cheap. Works quickly.
498702
Sounds to me like a simple problem, the solution of which, escapes most people.  During the Winter, the humidity level in the air gets lower.  Indoor heating, of any kind pulls more moisture out of it.  If your hubby's lungs are that fragile, he needs more humidity to help keep the mucus in his bronchial tubes moist and fluid.  Go out and buy a good humidifier and keep it running during the night while you sleep.  You'll find that it will help reduce the coughing in the morning.\n\nThe cigarettes and pot are not helping either.  If he can't quit, at least get him to moderate their use.
372926
pneumonia is caused by a bacteria, so u need to acquire the bacteria in the first place.  smoking will cause damage to the alveoli causing fibrosis and build up of mucus along the cilia lining.  so smoking increases your risk by making you more susceptable to bacterial invasion
198404
No, maybe just people don't want to breathe in 2nd hand smoke. Smokers can go harm their own lungs no problem.
250015
It is not uncommom for smokers to develop a respiratory infection or some inflammation after quiting.  If it gets bad or has been persistent, please see your physician.
868406
Every kind of smoking is dangerous, even second hand or directly inhaling it. If you haven't asked to stop I would try and ask her to stop smoking. To much smoking can cause Bronchitis, bronchitis is a condition, (if you don't already know), when her bronchial tubes(which bring air to the lungs) are inflamed. Severe bronchitis can lead to pneumonia, which is a sharp increase in the amount of fluid in the lungs. If pneumonia isn't treated it can be fatal. If she doesn't listen to you I would try and call a doctor to try and help her stop smoking. I'll pray for you to.\n\n, Good luck, and God bless.
947623
I don't know that there is any evidence of this.  I think the danger is in inhaling the smoke of burning leaves.  \n\nIf there is any danger in your job, I would think that there would be more danger in the chemical additives used then the tobacco itself.
880827
Yes, it would definitely cause some damage to your lungs (not really sure how serious) and it can also stunt your growth. You also need to consider what if you become addicted and end up smoking more than a pack a week and for longer than a year.
424585
Nonsmokers have some serious issues with "control" when they start talking about not smoking outside. Just walk around the smoker huddled next to the ash can, it's really not that difficult. If he's not huddled next to the ash can do that silly fake cough thing, that will show him. Sigh.
79552
It is effective. However, it is only to supress the cough- not cure whatever is causing it. And, it should only be taken at night or when disrupting your day. Coughing is necessary to clear the lungs, and a normal body function.
337685
You won't be in as much danger as someone who smokes on a regular basis but this one item should give you pause:\nSmoking one large cigar can be equivalent to smoking an entire pack of cigarettes.\n\n\nThe rest is just added as more info:\nA National Cancer Institute study concludes that smoking one cigar a day even when not inhaling doubles the risk of developing cancer of the esophagus and oral cavity. Cigars emit 20 times more ammonia and 10 times more cadmium and methylethylnitrosamine (cancer-causing agents) than cigarettes.\n\nCigar smokers are up to 10 times more likely to die from cancer of the larynx, mouth and esophagus as nonsmokers. \n\nCigar smokers have lung cancer at a rate three times higher than nonsmokers. \n\nPersistent coughs and phlegm and an increased risk of peptic ulcers and emphysema are more likely in cigar smokers than in nonsmokers. \n\nSmokers who have left cigarettes for cigars are more likely to inhale them, even without realizing it, and get the same exposure levels as cigarettes. \n\nTar and nicotine concentrations are higher in cigars than cigarettes, which can damage the heart and blood vessels and increase risks of heart attack and stroke.
1026894
try a gravity bong....keep on smoking...you are keeping me in business as a respiratory therapist!! See you soon with a big tube down your throat....fool
640409
Congratulations, am an x smoker too. Since you are not used to the smell and the smoke, you may have developed an allergy as I did. I cough when in a room with a smoker.
828807
There's woman on my job who sounds like a man with a bad cold.  Yet she continues to take smoke breaks all day long and she is always coughing but she's not sick.\n\nI can only imagine what it's doing to the lungs.
1096995
The problem is if you inhale it. That can damage your lungs
1153322
a woman with nasty cough/cigarette breath