Breathing ailments worse in Nashville, Southeast

November 20, 2000

By Bill Snyder / Staff Writer

It only becomes more apparent in the winter -- doctors' waiting rooms

crowded with sniffling, sneezing and miserable patients.

But all year round, Nashville and the Southeast in general exceed the

national average in the incidence of upper respiratory symptoms, including

sinusitis, according to Vanderbilt University lung specialist Murray.

One factor is humidity, and the resulting profusion of mold, pollen and

other natural substances that can trigger allergies. But another important

factor is smoking, said Murray, professor of medicine and pharmacology.

In 1998, more than 30% of Tennessee men smoked, according to a federal

survey. Only three other states -- South Dakota, Nevada and Michigan -- had

a higher percentage. Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke increase the

risk of asthma, sinusitis and other respiratory symptoms, he said.

It's not known whether smoking increases a person's susceptibility to viral

infections, said Dr. Donna Hummell, associate professor of pediatrics at

Vanderbilt.

But people may take longer to recover from viral infections if their lungs

have been injured by smoke. " A cold, instead of lasting an average of seven

days, might last more than two weeks, " Hummell said.

Most efforts to reduce or prevent tobacco use stress the increased incidence

of cancer and emphysema among long-term smokers. Although less serious,

chronic colds, asthma and sinusitis still can take their toll on smokers --

as well as family members.

" Kids who grow up with (smokers) have a higher incidence of chronic

bronchitis when they grow older, " Murray said.

" The important thing is that if you stop smoking -- no matter what your

age -- it is beneficial, " he said. " People who stop smoking at 65 can

prolong their lives. ... It's important to keep on trying. "

Bill Snyder covers health care for The Tennessean. He can be reached at

(615) 259-8226 or bsnyder@....

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