Dangerous Effects of Smoking Conventional Cigarettes on Human Body
Visit http://www.ecigzone.tk
Tobacco is considered as the greatest cause of preventable deaths in the United States and throughout the world. According to the American Heart Association and the National Health Interview Survey, more than 24 million men and more than 21 million women in the United States are conventional smokers. Tobacco smoking causes many diseases affecting major organs of the body including heart, brain, and lungs.
Effects:
Nicotine is the most active and important chemical component that causes
dangerous effects in human body. It is a major risk factor for heart
attacks; lung and mouth cancers and chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD). Here, we will discuss about some of the dangerous
effects of smoking on human body.
Oral cancer:
It was revealed by the National Institutes of Health that a variety of
cancers including cancers of oral cavity, esophagus, larynx, and lungs
are caused by cigar smoking. It was observed that around 90% of the
patients with oral cancer are traditional smokers. Laryngeal cancer is
caused about 20 to 30 times more in traditional smokers than e-cigarette
smokers. Smoking tobacco causes inflammation around the teeth which is
termed as periodontitis. Adherent white plaques and patches occur on the
membranes of oral cavity and is called as leukoplakia.
Effect on heart rate and blood pressure:
Increase in rate of heartbeat and a sharp rise in blood pressure are the
immediate effects of traditional smoking on heart and blood
circulation. The heart rate increases by about 30 times during the first
10 minutes of smoking tobacco. Nicotine causes the blood vessels to get
narrowed resulting in rise of blood pressure. The oxygen carrying
capacity of the blood is decreased by carbon monoxide which increases
heart rate. Long term effects of traditional smoking include increase in
levels of fibrinogen and cholesterol in blood increasing risk of heart
attacks. Coronary heart disease (CHD), Peripheral vascular disease
(PVD), aneurysm, artherosclerosis, and others are caused by the heart
and circulation attacks.
Effect on lungs:
More than 80% lung cancer cases are accounted by tobacco. Inability of
cilia to remove the tar content of tobacco cigarette smoke leads to lung
and laryngeal cancer. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is
caused by conventional smoking and is characterized by shortness of
breath; persistent cough with sputum; and damage to lungs including
emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Effect on liver:
Numerous toxins are present in the conventional cigarettes that lead to
chronic inflammation and scarring of liver. This may increase the risk
of diseases such as liver cancer, liver fibrosis, and Hepatitis B and C.
Chemicals such as N-Nitrosodiethylamine, N-Nitrosopyrrolidine, and
arsenic present in cigarettes are responsible for cause of liver tumors.
The ability of liver to detoxify dangerous substances gets diminished
by smoking tobacco.
Effect on brain dysfunction:
Nicotine reaches the brain within 10 seconds after inhalation. Carotid
artery is the main artery that supplies blood to the brain. Fatty
substances are built up in the carotid artery due to traditional
cigarette smoking. This decreases the supply of blood to the brain cells
and results in stroke called as cerebral thrombosis. The risk of this
stroke in conventional smokers is about 1.5 times to that of e-cigarette
smokers. Thickening and clotting of blood in brain may also be caused
due to smoking tobacco.
Effect on digestive system:
Harmful effects of smoking tobacco can be seen on all parts of the
digestive system. The decrease in strength of lower esophageal valve
allows the acids of stomach to reflux into esophagus. This situation is
termed as heartburn. The movement of bile salts from intestine to
stomach is also promoted by smoking tobacco. Conventional smoking
increases the rate of formation of peptic ulcers.
Effect of skin and hair:
Collagen, a protein in skin, keeps the skin elastic. As nicotine affects
collagen, elasticity of the skin is reduced. The tiny capillaries which
nourish the skin are also constricted by nicotine, leading to formation
of wrinkles. Healing process also gets affected by smoking and longer
time is taken to heal a wound. The immune system is suppressed by the
nicotine which leads to increase in susceptibility of viral infections
of skin.
Premature thinning and graying of hair is seen in traditional smokers. The chances of people becoming bald are twice in traditional smokers than in e-cigarette smokers. Premature graying of hair is also 3 to 6 times common in conventional smokers.
Effect on bone and muscle:
Healing of fractures is delayed by smoking tobacco. Blood flow to all
tissues is restricted by nicotine. Mostly it is restricted in newly
forming tissues, which are involved in bone repair. The chemicals of
tobacco are responsible for inhibition of development of new muscle and
bone tissue cells. The risk of osteoporosis is increased by traditional
smoking. Significantly lower bone densities are seen among women tobacco
smokers and are more likely to suffer fractures. The risk of
osteoporosis among women is 50% more in tobacco smokers than e-cigarette
smokers.
Effect on respiratory system:
Entry of chemicals of tobacco into mouth and trachea causes irritation
and chemical burns. It causes sore throat and pain. Cancer causing
properties of certain chemicals may cause burns on trachea resulting in
throat cancer. Many fatal diseases are caused by traditional smoking
including cancers of mouth, nasopharynx, larynx and lung. Increased risk
of asthma, cough, bronchitis and pneumonia are seen in children who are
exposed to passive smoking.
Psychological effects:
The feeling of euphoria and calmness are considered as the root cause
for addiction to tobacco cigarettes. Nicotine triggers the release of
dopamine in brain giving pleasure reaction. The psychological effects of
smoking tobacco are dependent on the physical effect of nicotine on
brain. When a person quits traditional smoking, the psychological desire
for tobacco cigarettes can last for many years, whereas the physical
desire can be overcome within 2 weeks.
Conventional smoking causes many dangerous effects on human body. American Cancer Society estimated that 168,000 Americans died of cancer due to tobacco smoking. Yearly smoking causes 1 in 5 deaths in America. Hence, it is necessary to take serious steps for eradication of traditional smoking habits. Many educational programs have to be conducted to make people aware of the harmful effects of conventional smoking on human body.
Visit http://www.ecigzone.tk
Comments