Emphysema is permanent enlargement of airspaces distal to terminal bronchioles. COPD affects 385 million worldwide, causing 3 million deaths annually. Disease predominantly affects middle to late life due to smoking. Equal incidence between sexes now due to increased smoking and environmental factors
Cold turkey quitting requires no outside aid, with only 3-5% success rate. Abrupt quitting with NRTs has 22% success rate after 6 months. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) has 20% success rate
Pack years measure total smoking duration and daily cigarette consumption. Calculated by multiplying number of cigarettes smoked by years smoked. Used by doctors to assess lung cancer and other smoking-related diseases
Allen Carr, former chain smoker, created method for quitting smoking. His book sold 15 million copies in 30 years. 2014 study showed smokers using Carr method were six times more likely to quit
Alveoli are tiny balloon-shaped air sacs at lung bronchioles. One cubic millimeter contains around 170 alveoli. Surfactant fluid lines alveoli to maintain shape and facilitate gas exchange
Nicotine triggers dopamine release in the brain, creating feelings of pleasure. Smoking creates a constant nicotine withdrawal pattern. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms begin within 30 minutes of last cigarette. Smoking becomes associated with various emotions and situations