Tuesday 20 August 2013

Talk health:Dangers of smoking

It should be noted that cigarettes affect not only the lungs, but also most of the vital organs of the body including the brain and the heart. There is hardly any system in the human body which is not affected by smoking.Some of the dangers includes;


Cardiovascular Diseases
Cigarette smoking is one of the major risk factors for hypertension and fatal heart attacks. The chemicals in the smoke develop atherosclerosis and lower supply of oxygen to the heart leading to cardiovascular diseases. However, there's still a glimmer of hope given that the damage already caused due to the smoke can be reversed.
Once you quit smoking successfully, the risk of developing a heart disease or stroke is the same as you never smoked. This is not to say that you should wait longer to quit the habit until you are completely smoke-dried.

Stroke and Gangrene
The effect of smoking in causing stroke and brain hemorrhage is due to deposition of plaque in blood vessels. This causes narrowing of blood vessels and reduced blood circulation that may lead to stroke and paralysis. Smoking may also cause gangrene due to clogged arteries.

Lung DisordersThe toxins in smoke can cause lung disorders like emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis, and significant reduction in lung functioning. This is because the alveolar sacs in the bronchioles that are functional in oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange are damaged.

Smoker's cough is a common symptom that develops as the defense system tries to expel the chemicals accumulated in the air passage and lungs. Gradually, the respiratory system becomes more prone to infections due to lowered immunity.


Infertility
Smoking impacts women's health by causing infertility, miscarriages, complicated pregnancies and early menopause. Smoking during pregnancy and breastfeeding can have hazardous effects on the baby in early childhood and also as they grow up. Smoking is also known to cause sperm abnormalities leading to infertility in men.


Basic facts
  • About 33% of male adult population (global) smokes.
  •  Time cut down from one's lifespan is approximately equal to the time indulged in smoking.
  •  Every minute, seven people die of tobacco use.
  • 49 known carcinogenic compounds and 4000 other toxins are contained in a single cigarette.
  •  More than 90% of lung cancer deaths are due to cigarette smoking.

BE WARNED

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