I do medical transcriptioning for a living and just typed out a dictation about a patient who came in with a cough and sore throat that they've had for a few days.

I type this same situation out about 10 times a day...the difference is that those who DON'T smoke are rarely given anything for their symptoms (maybe 1/10 times they are)and are told to wait it out, but those who DO smoke are almost automatically given a prescription of some sort "due to their history of smoking". AND these patients more than likely suffer from COPD, emphysema, etc, and are already seeing the doctor once or twice a month for that.

WTF?

I get what smoking does to a body and you won't necessarily get these symptoms simply because you smoke...but why are those who willingly inhale shyt into their lungs and increase their chances of developing a lung disease of some degree getting more medication at more times than someone who chooses not to smoke?

"You here, who are choosing to not smoke and lead a healthier life...go home and wait it out and rub Vicks on your feet and neck while your smoking neighbor wearing an oxygen tank and gets an antibiotic/steroid that will make them feel better in a day or two. You, on the other hand, must suffer.

Seems fair to me.

Smoking = Die

smoking is stupd

As a kid, I had sinus, but I kind of grew out of it. Then came Wrestlemania at the Silverdome, filled with smokers at the top, and I got all stopped up. And they were ejected too! And not too late after that, I got to high school. And we were made to go to those Catholic candle lit masses! I have not lived a normal life since! Different smoke, but the Silverdome smoke triggered it!

I agree with the sentiment here. I've seen 16 year olds smoking a pack a day. Its insane. While smoking is bad for the person that lights up and wastes $5-10 a day by contributing to a variety of illnesses, it can seriously affect the lives around you.

Babies that are born to parents that smoke are more likely to have multiple ear infections. Its almost a guarantee if the parents smoke the kid will get tubes in his ears.

Its an addiction though, most people want to quit but rarely can without some type of help and serious motivation. And sometimes its just easier to keep doing what your doing.

What made me post my rant was because both of my kids had colds a year or so ago which didn't get better so I of course took them to the doctor.

I was told to wait it out...it just has to do its thing...blah, blah, blah.

In both cases, they didn't get better and one developed bronchitis and the other pneumonia. They weren't given anything because they were assumed to be healthy and I was asked that question "are they in a smoking household?"

Developing lung problems when you can't help it is one thing but when people are intentionally harming themselves AND seemingly getting special treatment for it...it just bugs me.

Talk about making health care costs rise!

They are also considered high risk in surgery. Especially post operatively, they have too much secretions in their airway that they could aspirate and they have poor air exchange that it takes a while to have a stable oxygen level.

They also have poor circulation because their vessels have been affected and their blood doesn't carry oxygen the way normal people do. That's why it takes longer for them to heal or they get infections.

So in some way, their treatment cost more.

Ask Patrick Swayze what he feels about smoking now. Nvm he's dead.

And lets bash fat people too.

Oprah's a lard ***.

I can't afford to smoke...and it isn't all that pleasant. I just don't understand it.

I would rather spend my money on some Captain.