Wrinkles on the faces of smokers indicate a high risk of lung disease. Smoking is still known to cause premature aging.
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| Smoking causes premature aging. (Photo: Reuters) |
A new study has found that middle-aged smokers with more wrinkles on their faces have a fivefold higher risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
The World Health Organization predicts that by 2020, COPD will be the third leading cause of death globally. However, not all smokers are affected by COPD.
The study examined 149 middle-aged smokers, of whom 68 had COPD. While only 25% of the entire group exhibited numerous wrinkles, those with COPD had a fivefold higher risk of being in the wrinkled group.
COPD begins with severe coughing accompanied by mucus. It gradually leads to fatigue and shortness of breath due to lung damage.
Due to the gradual progression of the disease, scientists believe that facial wrinkles are an early sign of the condition before it is formally diagnosed.
M.T
