In these days, it is common to find smokers everywhere we go. Smoking has became a part of lifestyle especially to the new generations. It is clearly stated based on research that the rate of smokers has increased rapidly in the past few years.
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Smoking cigarettes affects lung health because a person breathes in not only nicotine but also a variety of additional chemicals.
Cigarettes are responsible for a substantial increase in the risk of developing lung cancer. This risk is 25 times greater for men and 25.7 times greater for women.
The CDC report that roughly 9 out of 10 lung cancer deaths is linked to smoking.
Smoking cigarettes also presents a greater risk of developing and dying from chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). In fact, the American Lung Association report that smoking causes 80% of COPD deaths.
Cigarettes are also linked to developing emphysema and chronic bronchitis. They can also trigger or exacerbate an asthma attack.
Smoking cigarettes can damage the heart, blood vessels, and blood cells. The chemicals and tar in cigarettes can increase a person's risk of atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque in the blood vessels. This buildup limits blood flow and can lead to dangerous blockages.
Smoking also increases the risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD), which occurs when the arteries to the arms and legs start to narrow, restricting blood flow.
Research shows a direct link between smoking and developing PAD. Even those who used to smoke face a higher risk than people who never smoked.
Having PAD increases the risk of experiencing:
- blood clots
- angina, or chest pain
- a stroke
- a heart attack
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In males, the more cigarettes a person smokes and the longer
they smoke for, the higher the risk of erectile dysfunction. Smoking can also affect the quality of the sperm
and therefore reduce fertility.
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According to the CDC, smoking can affect pregnancy and the developing fetus in several ways, including:
- increasing the risk of ectopic pregnancy
- reducing the baby's birth weight
- increasing the risk of preterm delivery
- damaging the fetus's lungs, brain, and central nervous system
- increasing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome
- contributing to congenital abnormalities, such as cleft lip or cleft palate
The CDC report that people who smoke regularly have a 30-40% higher risk
of developing type 2 diabetes than those who do not.
Smoking can also make it more difficult for people with diabetes to manage their condition.
Smoking cigarettes can cause eye problems, including a greater risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
Other vision problems related to smoking include:
- dry eyes
- glaucoma
- diabetic retinopathy
People who smoke have double the risk of gum disease.
This risk increases with the number of cigarettes a person smokes. Symptoms of gum disease include:
- swollen and tender gums
- bleeding when brushing
- loose teeth
- sensitive teeth
Smoking tobacco can limit a person's ability to taste and smell things properly. It can also stain the teeth yellow or brown.
Smoking tobacco can affect a person's skin and hair. A person who smokes may experience prematurely aged, wrinkled skin. They also have a higher risk of skin cancer, "especially on the lips."
Smoking can cause the hair and skin to smell of tobacco. It can also contribute to hair loss and balding.
In addition to the well-documented link with lung cancer, smoking cigarettes can also contribute to other forms of cancer.
The American Cancer Society report that cigarette smoking causes 20-30% of pancreatic cancers.
People who smoke are also three times as likely to develop bladder cancer than people who do not.
Smoking cigarettes can also doube a person's risk of stomach cancer. Tobacco is especially linked to stomach cancers that occur near the esophagus.
Cigarettes can also increase the risk of:
- mouth cancer
- laryngeal cancer
- throat cancer
- esophageal cancer
- kidney cancer
- cervical cancer
- liver cancer
- colon cancer
- acute myeloid leukemia
Thus, everyone should be well aware of the consequences caused by smoking. They should have thoughts of their loved ones in their mind before harming themselves. Once a person stops smoking, the benefits start accumulating. These include clearer skin, improved oral health, more stable hormones, a stronger immune system, and a reduced risk of many types of cancers.
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QUIT SMOKING GUYS !!!
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