Question

What may be a result of direct lung and airway damage from repeated infections or inhalation of toxic agents such as industrial gases and particles, but most often it results from cigarette smoking?

1) Lung cancer
2) Asthma
3) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
4) Pneumonia

Answer 1

Repeated lung and airway damage from smoking or exposure to toxic agents most often results in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), characterized by reduced lung elasticity and chronic inflammation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The respiratory effects of smoking cigarettes can lead to several health issues, but when considering direct lung and airway damage from repeated infections or inhalation of toxic agents, the most likely result is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The harmful substances in cigarette smoke, such as carbon monoxide and cyanide, reduce the elasticity of alveoli and lead to chronic inflammation, contributing to COPD. This disease entails a permanent reduction in lung capacity, causing shortness of breath and a persistent cough, and is largely preventable through the avoidance of smoking and secondhand smoke exposure.