Tobacco and our health problems
Dr. A. Faizul Huq Chowdhury
Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body. Theres no one way to quit smoking that works for everyone. To quit, you must be ready both emotionally and mentally. You must also want to quit smoking for yourself, and not to please your friends or family. It helps to plan ahead. This guide may help get your started.
Smoking also increases your risk of some cancers, particularly lung cancer. It is the major cause of respiratory problems, including emphysema. If you smoke, you are more likely to suffer a stroke or experience clots in the blood vessels (peripheral arterial disease).
Higher risk of osteoporosis (bone loss). Smoking is also linked to difficulty getting pregnant and problems during pregnancy such as having a premature baby.
Tobacco-related health problems
Cancer, including cancers of the larynx (voice box) , oral cavity, throat , esophagus , lung.
Chronic bronchitis
Emphysema
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Smokers cough
Heart disease
Stroke
Miscarriage, premature delivery, infant death, low birth weight or sudden infant death syndrome.
Smoking, heart disease and stroke
Smoking Heart Disease
Cigarette and tobacco smoke, high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, obesity and diabetes are the six major, independent risk factors for coronary heart disease that you can change, treat or modify.
The nicotine present in cigarettes causes:
Decreased oxygen to the heart.
Increased blood pressure and heart rate.
Increase in blood clotting.
Damage to cells that line coronary arteries and other blood vessels.
Smoking Stroke Risk
Smoking affects your metabolism and the chemistry of your blood vessels in several ways, all of which put you at increased risk for stroke:
The chemicals in cigarettes damage the walls of the arteries, resulting in a buildup of fatty plaque that can harden and narrow the arteries, restricting blood flow to your brain.
Smoking irritates the lungs and blood vessels, causing irritation inside the body (an inflammatory response) that increases the number of white blood cells and other predictors of increased risk for heart attack, stroke, and sudden death.
Smoking makes the blood more likely to clot. These clots can travel in your bloodstream until they finally become stuck in one of the blood vessels in your brain, cutting off blood flow and triggering a stroke.
Smokers tend to have high levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides - two types of blood fat that increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Smoking and Respiratory Disease
Smoking causes lung cancer.
Smoking causes lung diseases (e.g., emphysema, bronchitis, chronic airway obstruction) by damaging the airways and alveoli ( small air sacs) of the lungs.
Smoking causes abdominal aortic aneurysm ( a swelling or weakening of the main artery of the body, where it runs through the abdomen).
Smoking causes the following cancers:
Acute myeloid leukemia
Bladder cancer
Cancer of the cervix
Cancer of the esophagus
Kidney cancer
Cancer of the larynx (voice box)
Lung cancer
Cancer of the oral cavity (mouth)
Pancreatic cancer
Cancer of the pharynx (throat)
Stomach cancer
Smoking and Other Health Effects
Now that you know how smoking can be harmful to your health and the health of those around you, here are some ways quitting can be helpful. If you quit smoking, you will:
Prolong your life.
Reduce your risk of disease (including heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure, lung cancer, throat cancer, emphysema, ulcers, gum disease, and other conditions).
Feel healthier. After quitting, you wont cough as much, youll have fewer sore throats, and you will increase your stamina.
Look better. Quitting can help you prevent face wrinkles, get rid of stained teeth, and improve your skin.
Improve your sense of taste and smell.
And Save money. (Reprint)
Contact: [email protected]
