Does smoking weed cause lung cancer?

Lung cancer is one of the deadly diseases. When cells grow and multiply in your lungs at an abnormal rate, this causes tumors. Smoking tobacco is a known cause (and a major reason) for getting lung cancers. In fact, lung cancers are the second most prevalent form of cancer in US. Cannabis is also known as weed, pot or as marijuana. Weed is a street-name of marijuana. It is a psychoactive substance. But does smoking weed cause lung cancer? It is important to know more.

Cigarette smoking – including use of cigars – causes 90 % of lung cancers. Passive smoking also leads to lung cancer. When you inhale hazardous smoke, you are exposed to several unhealthy chemicals. If you have a family history of lung cancers, you are at higher risk of getting it.

Tests used to diagnose lung cancers include biopsy, sputum cytology, and imaging tests. These determine the stage of your cancers and extent the condition has spread. Of these, biopsy is done on samples of tissues or swollen lymphoid nodes. Imaging tests commonly ordered include magnetic resonance imaging scan, computer tomography scan and / or a PET scan.

Does smoking weed cause lung cancer?

There is no clear evidence of smoking weed and incidence of lung cancers. However, smoking weed is harmful to your lungs; it causes damage to your lungs, an increase in heart rate and a spike in blood pressure level.

Most people may not notice signs until cancers progress to critical stage(s). Lung cancers can multiply faster and can spread with relative ease. A few signs of lung cancers are shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, decrease in appetite, feeling exhausted, sudden loss of body-weight, fatigue, hoarseness of voice, pain in chest region, nausea, etc.

A few people have also experienced jaundice, painful bones, dizziness, coughing-up blood, swelling of lymphoid nodes, pain in abdomen, bronchitis and / or pneumonia.

Treatment for lung cancer

Lung cancer treatment depends on what stage your cancer is in. Cancerous cells in lungs can be removed through surgery. Surgical interventions include segmental resection, pneumonectomy, etc. In some cases, radiation therapy is used; here, cancer cells are destroyed by exposing them to powerful rays.

Chemotherapy involves the use of medicines to treat lung cancers. Oncologists may recommend palliative treatment for lung cancers – this is done at any stage. It relieves pains, restores appetite levels and help reduce nausea. As a precautionary measure, you are advised to quit smoking.

Side effects of smoking weed

Smoking weed can irritate your lungs. When unfiltered smoke enters your lungs, it increases risks of lung cancers. Smoking week may damage your respiratory system. This habit can adversely impact both physical and psychological functions.

Short-term side effects include drying of mouth, signs of dehydration such as parching of skin, thirstiness, etc. an increase in pulse rate, anxieties, sleeping disorders, etc. Long-term use of weed has can impact male fertility. In case of women, you run the risks of miscarriage. Beware: a very long-term use of weed can affect your arteries.

Side effects of Smoking weed regularly and more often can cause depression, weird thought / nightmares, lapses in memory, being restless, mental conditions like schizophrenia as well as psychosis. Vaping or edibles are known to affect your throat and lungs.