Can a chest x-ray reveal if someone is a smoker?

Question

My buddy has been smoking for years. His x-ray seemed to show that his lungs were normal.. How is this possible?! I wouldv expected someone who has been smoking that long to have bad x-ray results. Now this makes him more passive of the bad efects of smoking.

Answer 1

If a person has been smoking a long time you will see changes on a CXR, but usually unless it is severe, its not picked up.  I bet if he had a Pulmonary Function Test he would see that the function of his lungs is well below normal.

Answer 2

x-rays only show the structure of the organs not the interior tissues. Tell your "buddy" he's a moron.