What Are the Health Effects of Smoking on the Body?

What Are the Health Effects of Smoking on the Body?
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Luckily for people who feel they are hopelessly addicted to nicotine, there are many different resources available to help them along the path to become a non smoker. There are even certain medications available now, such as Chantix, that can eliminate the urge to smoke completely, and so help people quit and avoid the negative health effects of smoking. For those who don’t want to take medicine, there are gums and lozenges that provide the nicotine so one can kick the smoking habit.

Lung Infections

A person who smokes will have a harder time getting rid of harmful mucous in the lungs, which can provide a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. This can cause lung infections to occur, such as bronchitis or pneumonia. The American Cancer Society wants everyone to know that although the cigarette pack may say “light”, these cigarettes are just as dangerous as all the others. The best way to avoid these infections is to quit smoking altogether.

Lung Diseases

Smoking can cause lung diseases to occur, such as emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The reason for this is that the lungs are unable to function properly, and the bronchial tubes and lung tissues become inflamed and swollen. While the lungs are normally able to heal themselves, cigarette smoke prevents this from happening, allowing for chronic problems and eventual lung disease to occur.

Wrinkles

The Mayo Clinic explains that the reason for wrinkles and skin problems in people who smoke is because the blood flow to the outer layer of skin is slowed. Nicotine causes blood vessels to shrink, which prevents oxygen from getting to the skin like it should. This causes a dull appearance to the skin and eventually deep wrinkles will set in. These wrinkles will show up on a person much earlier than normal.

Lung Cancer

Cigarette smoke is full of chemicals that are being inhaled into the lungs on a regular basis. The lungs can’t handle that much abuse and lung cancer can develop. The main chemical that causes lung cancer is a carcinogen called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. This chemical causes damage to the genes and causes the production of abnormal cells. These abnormal cells are cancer cells.

Blood Clots

Nicotine causes the red blood cells to become sticky. These sticky blood cells will have more of a tendency to stick together inside the veins and the arteries, which are called blood clots. These clots most commonly form in the legs and the thighs, and can sometimes break loose to cause serious health problems. If the clot travels to the brain, the person can suffer a stroke. If the clot travels to the heart, a person can suffer a heart attack.

REFERENCES:

The American Cancer Society: Tobacco and Smoking Questions - https://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_10_2x_Questions_About_Smoking_Tobacco_and_Health.asp

The Mayo Clinic: Quit Smoking - https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/smoking/AN00644

National Cancer Institute: Quitting Smoking - https://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Tobacco/cessation