How might smoking affect tidal volume?

Answer 1

In a person with emphysema, there is a significant loss of intrinsic elastic recoil in the lung tissue. This loss of elastic recoil occurs as the disease destroys the walls of the alveoli. Airway resistance is also increased as the lung tissue in general becomes more flimsy and exerts less mechanical tethering on the surrounding airways. Thus the lung becomes overly compliant and expands easily. Conversely, a great effort is required to exhale as the lungs can no longer passively recoil and deflate. A noticeable and exhausting muscular effort is required for each exhalation. Thus a person with emphysema exhales slowly. Thus decreasing the tidal volume.

Answer 2

Smoking can lead to inflammation and narrowing of the airways, decreasing air flow and causing the lungs to work harder to take in oxygen. This can result in a decrease in tidal volume, which is the amount of air that moves in and out of the lungs during normal breathing. Additionally, smoking can also damage lung tissue and reduce the overall lung function, further impacting tidal volume.