Since smoking has gained popularity and more and more people have turned to smoking as a way to relax themselves, findings in various studies have supported the fact that smoking can cause a lot of damage. Smoking damage is done not just towards the smoker but to people around him/her as well. The latter form of smoking is called passive or secondhand smoking. This covers the simple exposure to smoke from cigarettes or tobacco products. Whether you smoke or not, are you aware of any smoking damage?
Smoking damage is done to the respiratory system. Emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are caused by exposure to substances commonly found in smoke, such as cyanide and carbon monoxide. A smoker has increased risk of acquiring tuberculosis by consuming at least 20 cigarettes a day. Lung cancer has also been linked to smoking. Around 87% of cases in the United States have been attributed to smoking. Secondhand smoke also increases a nonsmoker’s risk of acquiring lung cancer by 20 to 30%.
Another site of smoking damage is the cardiovascular system. Nicotine has the ability of narrowing blood vessels which leads to blockage. Because of this fact, a smoker is 5 times more at risk of suffering a heart attack. And secondhand smokers have an increased risk by 25 to 30%. Smoking can also lead to other disease such as atherosclerosis, peripheral vascular disease, and stroke.
Smoking damage can also be found in the gastrointestinal system. Diseases that are caused by smoking include cancers of the oral cavity, esophageal cancer, laryngeal cancer, periodontitis, leukoplakia, halitosis or bad breath, and many more.
Smoking damage to the immune system leads to increased risk of catching infections like common colds, invasive pneumococcal disease, chronic bronchitis, and other pulmonary and respiratory infections.
A pregnant woman who smokes also incurs damage to her reproductive system through increased risk of a miscarriage. Smoking damage is also done in her fetus because smoking deprives oxygen from the fetus. Infants born by a smoking mother are usually low birth weight and small for gestational age. These two diseases can lead to jaundice, breathing difficulties, and others.
Smoking damage leads to death! Quit smoking now!
