Know About the Health Risks Associated With Smoking

Many people today are smoking despite being fully aware of its devastating effects. Despite several warnings on cigarette packs, many people are still smoking. As per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 20.6 percent of all adults (about 46.6 million people) were smokers in 2009. Another report from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) states that approximately 1,100 people under 18 years of age initiate smoking everyday.

The above mentioned alarming statistics show that millions of people are currently smoking and thousands of new people are getting addicted to it. Therefore, it is very important for them to know about the health risks associated with smoking. First and the foremost thing they should remember is that each and every part in the body gets affected by smoking.

Smoking effects our body from head to toe
According to CDC, 5 million people die all over the world because of smoking-related diseases. On an average, smokers die 13 to 14 years earlier when compared with nonsmokers. There is no part in the body which is not affected by smoking. Smoking effects all parts and organs of our body from head to toe.

Hair
For an effective hair growth, hair follicles require oxygen and nutrients from blood. The chemical Nicotine, which is present in cigarette constricts blood vessels which results in decreased blood supply to hair follicle. Smoking produces carbon monoxide, this in turn inhibits the oxygen carrying capacity of blood.

Brain and mental effects
Arteries connect brain to heart and lungs, these arteries carry Nicotine and other chemicals to brain when a person is smoking. Nicotine, on reaching the brain, controls and changes receptor cells responsible for regulating well-being, memory and mood. This in turn will change the chemistry of brain. Severe mood changes, irritability and anxiety may result because of withdrawal of Nicotine. Smoking may also lead to brain stroke.

Eyes and nose
Smoking damages retina which results in Macular degeneration (loss of vision or blindness). It also results in cataracts (clouding of the lens inside the eye). Smoking also results in autoimmune disease called Graves' ophthalmopathy (protrusion of eyes and swelling of eye muscles). Smoking causes cancer of the nose, nasal sinus and the cavity behind the nose. Smoking also affects the ability to smell.

Thyroid
Smokers are more likely to suffer from thyroid enlargement because of the chemicals present in the smoke. Smoking results in Grave's disease (over activation of thyroid) which is an autoimmune disease and thyroid disease.

Skin and teeth
Due to smoking, the skin becomes very lackluster and discolored. The toxins get trapped in the body and this results in yellowing and grayish hue on the skin. Smoking may also lead to skin cancer, premature wrinkles and sagging. Smoking produces brown or blackish staining on the teeth. It results in yellowish teeth and bad breath. Smoking may also lead to oral cancer.

Mouth and throat
Smoking is the major cause of cancer in throat, mouth, lips, larynx, and esophagus. It also leads to reduced sense of taste and sore throat.

Hands
There will be very poor circulation of blood in hands because of smoking and hence smokers hands will be generally cold. Smoking also leads to tar stained fingers and it may also lead to peripheral vascular disease.

Respiration and lungs
Smokers suffer from continuous cold and flu like symptoms. They will also suffer from asthma, pneumonia, cough and sputum, shortness of breath, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis and emphysema and also complicate tuberculosis. Ultimately, smoking leads to lung cancer.

Heart
Nicotine, which is present in cigarette is very harmful for the heart. It harms, blocks and weakens arteries of the heart. This may lead to heart failure or heart attack because of decreased oxygen supply to the coronary arteries of the heart.

Liver
Numerous toxins present in the cigarette smoke will result in diseases such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, liver cancer and liver fibrosis. These chemicals also create oxidative stress over the liver which leads to damage of liver cells.

Abdomen
Smoking results in stomach and duodenal ulcers as the toxins present in the smoke irritate the stomach. It also results in aortic aneurysm because of enlargement of the large artery which supplies blood to the abdomen. Smoking may also cause cancer of stomach, pancreas and colon.

Kidneys and bladder
Smoking increases blood pressure which causes damage to the kidney cells. It also results in kidney and bladder cancer.

Spine
Spine consists of some pads or discs which prevent vertebrae from friction. Smoking results in condition called as Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD). Researches have also suggested that there is an increased risk of exacerbating pre-existing DDD about 3 to 4 times because of smoking.

Legs and feet
Smoking leads to decreased bone density which results in osteoporosis. It makes the bones very fragile and easy to have fractures. It also leads to gangrene (death of body tissue) and peripheral vascular disease.

Immune system
Smoking suppresses immune cells which results in decreased immunity. Smokers will be prone to many infections and diseases due to lack of immunity.

Above mentioned are only a few of the health risks associated with smoking. Still there are many more effects of smoking. Smoking results in several dreadful diseases. So if you are still smoking, think about it again. The early you quit, the better it is for your health.

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