Harmful Smoking Effects
Go straight to the Tips
Harmful Smoking Effects
Smoking can kill. According to the American Cancer Society, smoking is responsible for 1 out of every 5 deaths throughout the United States. Every year, thousands of people will succumb to the harmful effects of smoking.
Smoking Diseases
Smoking causes a plethora of
smoking diseases
that can cause death. These diseases include cancer, stroke, heart disease, emphysema, and bronchitis.
Smokers Lungs
Smokers lungs
also need to work much harder, but are less effective, due to the negative effects of tar, carbon monoxide, and nicotine. These chemicals fill the lungs with tar, a thick sticky substance. Smokers’ lungs can also be affected by chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Heart Disease Caused by Smoking
heart disease caused by smoking
and strokes are more common in smokers than those who do not smoke. The chemicals in cigarettes cause the body to work harder. This puts a strain on the heart and blood vessels, which can ultimately lead to heart attacks, stroke, or even heart failure.
Smoking Cancer
Smoking does not cause only lung cancer but can cause many different types of
smoking cancer
which can include cancer of the mouth (oral cavity), throat (larynx, pharynx, and esophagus), nose, kidney, cervix, stomach, pancreas, bladder, and even hands – all caused by smoking cigarettes.
Smoking and Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the most common form of smoking cancer and one of the worst harmful smoking effects. It is caused by the tar in the tobacco and is a slow and painful death. Male smokers are 10 times more likely to die from
smoking and lung Cancer
than male non-smokers.
Smoking and Heart Disease
Smoking can cause heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke. Smoking slows blood flow which cuts off oxygen to the extremities (which can even result in amputation). Smoking causes fat deposits to narrow and block blood vessels which can lead to heart attacks and hear failure.
Smoking and heart disease
are closely associated.
Smoking and Pregnancy
Smoking and pregnancy
can have harmful effects on the baby. Such babies are plagued with low birth weight since smoking can slow fetal growth. Slow fetal growth and low birth weight can lead to serious health issues after birth.
Smoking and Breastfeeding
Serious side effects in both mother and baby can occur through
smoking and breastfeeding
. Smoking can prevent adequate levels of milk production. The baby may develop diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and cramps while becoming fussier with erratic sleep patterns.
Infertility and Smoking
Smoking can negatively affect fertility. Smoking can decrease a man’s sperm production and reduce the quality of eggs in a woman. It can affect the entire reproductive system, thus making conception very difficult.
Infertility and smoking
unfortunately go together.
Smoking and Cholesterol
Smoking can lower the levels of HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol) which can increase the tendency for clotting in blood. For this reason,
smoking and cholesterol
can lead to coronary artery disease in people who already have high cholesterol. It can also affect diabetes and high blood pressure.
Do harmful smoking effects never cease?
Second Hand Smoke
Second hand smoke
includes both the smoke that comes from the end of a lit cigarette as well as the smoke exhaled by the smoker. Second-hand smoke can cause smoking related cancers, complications with asthma, and other ailments even in non-smokers since exposure allows harmful chemicals to enter the body.
Asthma and Smoking
Smoking can irritate the moist lining of the respiratory system which can cause an asthma attack. Tobacco smoke damages the cilia, tiny hair like structures, which makes it harder for the body to prevent dust and mucus from accumulating in the airways. A combination of
asthma and smoking
can lead to a severe asthma attack.
Smoking and Wrinkles
Smoking can increase the aging process, even in young people; so smoking can cause wrinkles. Inhaling smoke can narrow the blood vessels in the skin, which decreases blood flow to the area, which is essential to its elasticity.
Smoking wrinkles
are irreversible.
Back from
harmful smoking effects
Next in this series...

|