[Foofighter]

Hi! Ok well I've been smoking a little while now and I'm starting to get sick. Runny nose and real sore throat. I use to be really fit but now I can't run half a lap without wanting to collapse. I'm constantly coughing! It may just be from smoking but I can't be too sure! HELP!

[tickle]

Mmmmm, no not asthma, something much worse, or the starting of CHRONIC UBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE. Have you ever seen the elderly, or even for that matter, younger individuals toting around the oxygen tanks and the little plastic thingys attached to their noses. Well that is the outcome.

If you have a doctor I suggest you get checked out AND STOP SMOKING ~~~!!

This isn't a diagnosis, I can't tell and can't see you but it sounds familiar.

[Foofighter]

What!

[macksmom]

Smoking will cause all of your symptoms. Smoking destroys your lungs. You are more prone to getting sick and having breathing problems and coughing.

You need to stop smoking.

[gbwillner]

Hi! Ok well I've been smoking a little while now and I'm starting to get sick. Runny nose and real sore throat. I use to be really fit but now i can't run half a lap without wanting to collapse. I'm constantly coughing! It may just be from smoking but i can't be too sure! HELP!!

Uh... you have a cold and you're out of shape. How long have you been smoking? You should stop regardless, but don't freak out because of stupid posts.

[macksmom]

Uh.... you have a cold and you're out of shape. How long have you been smoking? You should stop regardless, but don't freak out because of stupid posts.

Lucky for you, I hit the button too quickly... I meant to DISAGREE with you.

Smoking cause all the symptoms the OP is having...

Smoking causes dimished lung capacity, thus the being short of breath during exercising.
The coughing is from the chemicals in the smoke damaging the lining of the lungs which normally filter dirt and waste.
You can get chronic bronchitis.
The chemical can irritate your throat causing a sore throat.

If you are going to give advice, at least give useful advice.

[hammieslove]

My brother smokes and has the same symptoms. QUIT SMOKING AND SEEK medical attention just to be sure.

[macksmom]

Comments on this post
METERRE agrees: I've heard that it causes expandability or elasticity of the lungs to decrease

Yes, that is what decreased lung capacity is... the lungs cannot expand as much, thus cannot hold as much oxygen.

[METERRE]

Not judging, but I have been wanting to ask this question to someone. What do you need to smoke for? Why depend on something like that?

[METERRE]

Comments on this post
METERRE agrees: I've heard that it causes expandability or elasticity of the lungs to decrease

Yes, that is what decreased lung capacity is...the lungs cannot expand as much, thus cannot hold as much oxygen.

Yeah I get you.

[Fr_Chuck]

Yes, asthma does not give you a runny nose or a sore thoat, it will give you shortness of breath and it will cause coughing. And you won't be able to do any physcial activity without getting short of breath. ( the worst the asthma the worst the symptoms. But the smoking can cause many other issues, and if you have asthma cause it to be a lot worst.

[gbwillner]

Lucky for you, I hit the button too quickly....I meant to DISAGREE with you.

Smoking cause all the symptoms the OP is having...

Smoking causes dimished lung capacity, thus the being short of breath during exercising.
The coughing is from the chemicals in the smoke damaging the lining of the lungs which normally filter dirt and waste.
You can get chronic bronchitis.
The chemical can irritate your throat causing a sore throat.

If you are going to give advice, at least give useful advice.

I believe I did give useful advice- don't freak out and stop smoking. The original answer to this quesiton was "no not asthma, something much worse, or the starting of CHRONIC UBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE"... if that is not inteded to cause panic I don't know what the purpose was. The OP did not mention how long they had been smoking for, how old they are. The statement that this person is active and runs (and on the internet)suggests that they are probably a young person unlikely to have COPD.

Fact is, it is much more likely this person just has a cold, allergic rhinitis, or simply pharyngitis.

I know this is an open forum and anyone can say anthing they want, but if this is just some dumb kid who started smoking two weeks ago, you are all doing him/her a disservice by scaring the crap out of them. You might as well tell them that they are having CONGESTIVE HEART FALIURE because they have dyspena on excertion.
/BTW I am a health care professional.

[J_9]

I was going to stay out of this one. But I have to agree with GB here. Without knowing the length of time the OP has been smoking we can't jump to rash diagnoses here.

While all of the answers are correct. We must understand COPD and how it works. Asthma is now under the umbrella of COPD, along with emphysema. While smoking may cause these diseases, it does not always. Chances are greater, yes, but not in 100% of smokers.

You know, some people who have never even been exposed to smoke or carcinogens can get these diseases too.

Now, if the OP were a 4 pack a day smoker for 10+ years, not physically fit/active, and in his 50s or 60s, I would have to go with COPD.

I don't know where the OP lives, but in my area we have been having some pretty decent weather changes that bring on colds, allergic rhinitis, etc.

So, rather than us attempting to come up with a definitive diagnosis, the OP should make an appointment with his/her health care provider.

[J_9]

tickle agrees: super considerate answer/Second hand smoke is almost as bad; so you say, well its not going directly into my lungs, BUT YOU ARE INHALING BAD AIR

This is exactly true. Second hand smoke can be as bad, or worse depending on whose studies you read, on people. I know of people who have never been exposed to smoke, either first hand or second hand that still have COPD. It can be a matter of genetics also.

Now, to answer the OP accurately we need to know his smoking habits.

I still tend to agree with GB, at this point in time, that there is something other than asthma or COPD going on.

[macksmom]

While I do agree with both J9 and GB as far as the first initial post of COPD (that was a little brash), and while the symptoms do not really suggest asthma, I still think the OP was linking the question to smoking, as they put that in the question... instead of just saying "hey these are my symptoms, what do you think".

And while it is good to get checked out by a doctor, I am almost certain the doctor will say the same thing... STOP SMOKING and most of these symptoms should disipate.

[J_9]

I have to agree with you Macksmom.

BUT, I still agree with the OP. The OP stated the symptoms and made mention of smoking. This is very important in obtaining any history.

I think many people overreacted when they saw the fact that the OP smoked.

[vmc]

Hi! Ok well I've been smoking a little while now and I'm starting to get sick. Runny nose and real sore throat. I use to be really fit but now i can't run half a lap without wanting to collapse. I'm constantly coughing! It may just be from smoking but i can't be too sure! HELP!!

Runny nose, sore throat, coughing, smoking, out of shape.
Well, as has been said, smoking causes a LOT of damage. How long have you smoked? COPD usually happens with chronic smokers after years of damage.
Coughing can cause a sore throat.
Runny nose - could be a cold, could be developing allergies. Tis the season; do you have pets. Allergies can start at any time in our life. If it lasts longer than a week it could be allergies or a symptom of something larger.
Allergies can also cause drainage in the back of your throat. Which leads you to cough. Which can lead to a sore throat. Hmmm.
Could be GERD - do you cough more when you lie down?
How long have you been out of shape? Is it just because you haven't been exercising? For how long? Feeling like you are going to collapse - from being out of breath because you can't get air in or out? Or because you are tired and your muscles are not used to it?
My guess, since this is all I know about you, is that it might be either allergies or GERD.
GERD is GastroEsophogealRefluxDisease.
Do this:
1. Make an appointment with a physician.
2. While you are waiting try two experiments
a. Buy some generic Zantac and take as directed on the box. If you cough more at night, take it 1/2 hour before going to bed. You can also use prilosec, but start with zantac. Generics are fine. Drink at least 4 glasses of water throughout the day. Use saline nasal spray anytime during the day.
b. buy an antihistamine, like loratadine, etc. take as directed. (get the once daily, no drowsy kind) Benadryl and chlorpheniramine are the drowsiest. Drink at least 4 glasses of water throughout the day and supplement with saline nasal spray.
Saline nasal spray is a generic name for Ocean nasal spray, etc
Try these two experiments for at least a week, but not at the same time. Whichever one works will shed light on what's going on and will help your doctor make a diagnosis. Smoking dries you out (amongst other things), shrinks your capillaries (blood vessels) so that toxins cannot be eliminated and the good stuff (nutrients,oxygen) can't get to where its needed. It also is an important factor in GERD and Allergies.
Most of us know what we need to do: eat right, sleep properly, exercise and don't smoke but hopefully this will help you get off to a better start while you make smart lifelong changes. Good luck!