Diseases Caused by Smoking
Diseases Caused by Smoking
There's no denying the fact that smoking can make a person susceptible to serious medical conditions. This write-up will provide you with information on some of the serious health problems and fatal diseases caused by smoking.
"Smokers never become old, because they die younger."
This saying reveals a harsh fact about the hazardous effects of smoking. There are millions of people who are addicted to cigarette smoking throughout the world. Why do people start smoking? Well, there are several different reasons for smoking. Some people start smoking in their teens just for the sake of the thrill and sometimes, it's peer pressure. Eventually, they become addicted to the nicotine present in cigarettes. Some people smoke to get relief from stress. People with low self-esteem become more addicted to smoking. Whatever the reason, once a person gets addicted to smoking, he/she has to face a number of serious health problems. Let's take a look at what are some of the health complications that an average smoker is exposed to.
Diseases Caused Due to Smoking
There are several harmful health effects of cigarette smoking. A person addicted to smoking may suffer from a number of serious and fatal diseases. Smokers are more likely to suffer from respiratory infections and several minor complaints such as coughand cold. Smokers may suffer from some dreadful diseases such as cancer, heart, cardiovascular and lung diseases. Also caused, are respiratory problems and several other problems related to the kidneys, liver and pancreas.
Cancer: Smokers are at a higher risk of getting cancer than non-smokers. Carcinogens, such as tar, present in tobacco smoke causes cancer of the lungs, mouth, throat and gullet. About 90% of lung cancer cases are due to smoking. Smokers can also develop other types of cancers such as bladder cancer, pancreatic cancer, cancer of kidneys and esophagus cancer. Female smokers are at a greater risk of cervical cancer.
Cardiovascular Diseases: These are diseases of the heart, blood vessels of the heart and other blood vessels. It is a major cause of death due to smoking. Nicotine present in tobacco increases the cholesterol levels in the blood. Cholesterol and other fats get deposited in the arteries, which causes hardening of the arteries. The arteries become narrow, rigid or blocked. Due to atherosclerosis (narrowing of arteries), blood clots are formed and this increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Common cardiovascular diseases found in smokers are coronary thrombosis, cerebral thrombosis, coronary heart diseases, blockage in the legs (peripheral vascular disease) and cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): It is a group of health conditions, which blocks airflow and causes difficulty in breathing. It causes health problems such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Emphysema is breathlessness caused by damage to the alveoli (air sacs). Chronic bronchitis causes frequent coughing with a lot of mucus. Smoking is responsible for about 80% of COPD cases. Smoking increases the rate of decline in lung function to three times its usual rate. Breathlessness starts due to regression of lung functions.
Other Conditions Caused by Smoking
There's no denying the fact that smoking can make a person susceptible to serious medical conditions. This write-up will provide you with information on some of the serious health problems and fatal diseases caused by smoking.
"Smokers never become old, because they die younger."
This saying reveals a harsh fact about the hazardous effects of smoking. There are millions of people who are addicted to cigarette smoking throughout the world. Why do people start smoking? Well, there are several different reasons for smoking. Some people start smoking in their teens just for the sake of the thrill and sometimes, it's peer pressure. Eventually, they become addicted to the nicotine present in cigarettes. Some people smoke to get relief from stress. People with low self-esteem become more addicted to smoking. Whatever the reason, once a person gets addicted to smoking, he/she has to face a number of serious health problems. Let's take a look at what are some of the health complications that an average smoker is exposed to.
Diseases Caused Due to Smoking
There are several harmful health effects of cigarette smoking. A person addicted to smoking may suffer from a number of serious and fatal diseases. Smokers are more likely to suffer from respiratory infections and several minor complaints such as coughand cold. Smokers may suffer from some dreadful diseases such as cancer, heart, cardiovascular and lung diseases. Also caused, are respiratory problems and several other problems related to the kidneys, liver and pancreas.
Cancer: Smokers are at a higher risk of getting cancer than non-smokers. Carcinogens, such as tar, present in tobacco smoke causes cancer of the lungs, mouth, throat and gullet. About 90% of lung cancer cases are due to smoking. Smokers can also develop other types of cancers such as bladder cancer, pancreatic cancer, cancer of kidneys and esophagus cancer. Female smokers are at a greater risk of cervical cancer.
Cardiovascular Diseases: These are diseases of the heart, blood vessels of the heart and other blood vessels. It is a major cause of death due to smoking. Nicotine present in tobacco increases the cholesterol levels in the blood. Cholesterol and other fats get deposited in the arteries, which causes hardening of the arteries. The arteries become narrow, rigid or blocked. Due to atherosclerosis (narrowing of arteries), blood clots are formed and this increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Common cardiovascular diseases found in smokers are coronary thrombosis, cerebral thrombosis, coronary heart diseases, blockage in the legs (peripheral vascular disease) and cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): It is a group of health conditions, which blocks airflow and causes difficulty in breathing. It causes health problems such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Emphysema is breathlessness caused by damage to the alveoli (air sacs). Chronic bronchitis causes frequent coughing with a lot of mucus. Smoking is responsible for about 80% of COPD cases. Smoking increases the rate of decline in lung function to three times its usual rate. Breathlessness starts due to regression of lung functions.
Other Conditions Caused by Smoking
- The chemicals present in tobacco damage the lining of the blood vessels and affect the levels of fats in the bloodstream. It increases the risk of atheroma, which is the main cause of heart diseases, strokes and aneurysms.
- Smoking affects oral health. It can stain teeth and gums. Smoking can give rise to various health problems of the gums and teeth, such as swollen gums, loose teeth, and bad breath.
- Smoking causes an acidic taste in the mouth. It can increase the risk of developing mouth ulcers.
- Smoking can give rise to various sexual problems. People addicted to smoking are more likely to face fertility problems and sexual performance issues.
- Smoking increases the risk of high blood pressure which is a risk factor for stroke and heart attacks.
- Smoking worsens asthma by increasing the inflammation of the airways.
- Smoking can cause early aging. Due to smoking, the blood supply to the skin is reduced. There is a decrease in the level of vitamin A. Hence, smokers have paler skin and more wrinkles.
- Heavy smoking causes macular degeneration which results in gradual loss of eyesight. Smokers are also at a higher risk of cataract.
- Some other conditions caused by smoking are chest infections, diabetic retinopathy, tuberculosis, multiple sclerosis and Crohn's disease.
- There are even passive effects of smoking, which can be quite dangerous to the people who come in contact with the smoke. If babies and kids come in contact with smokers, they become more prone to asthma and infections of the ear, nose and chest. They are at an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
