You are all aware of the clichéd phrase ‘
Smoking is injurious to health’ but despite several warnings you continue smoking. You probably eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly, but this will mean little if you smoke regularly.
Smoking is the most difficult habit to get rid off since tobacco contains nicotine. Tobacco addiction affects the heart, the lungs and the blood vessels. As a result smokers are prone to stroke, heart disease, and lung cancer. In America alone, smoking is one of the major causes of death. So the sooner you
stop smoking, the better.
Once you start smoking, it is hard to stop. As we all know, there are apparently no physical cause to start
smoking. High doses of nicotine and other chemicals can harm your body instead of doing any good.
Poisoning due to tobacco is a gradual process. Over a period of time
smoking leads to diseases like cancer, heart disease and emphysema. Each time you light that cigarette it snatches 5 to 20 minutes of your life. There are other risk factors as well. Smoking affects the cardiovascular system of the body. The HDL cholesterol or the good cholesterol is reduced in adolescents due to
smoking. The largest blood vessel, the aorta is damaged due to smoking which increases the chances of blood clot. Smoking also increases the activity of the sympathetic nervous system which in turn adds additional pressure to the heart and blood vessels.
Smoking causes more harm to women who can lose about 14.5 years of life. The dangers of cardiovascular disease increases in women as it affect the hormones responsible for deficiency of estrogen.
Smoking also causes fertility problems and women who take birth control pills have a higher risk of developing heart disease, if they smoke.
Effects of smoking
Smoking should be avoided not only because it can affect your lung and heart but also for a host of other reasons as well.
Forms of cancer: Smoking not only causes lung cancer but can also cause cancer of the throat, esophagus and mouth. It can also cause cervical cancer.
Unhealthy skin:
Smoking prevents oxygen and nutrients from flowing into the skin resulting in unhealthy and pale skin.
Osteoporosis: Women smokers are prone to osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Bad breath: Smokers often develop a condition called halitosis or bad breath.
Slow healing time: Sports injuries like damages to the tendon and ligament take time to heal.
Risk of illness: Research shows that smokers are more prone to cold, flu, pneumonia and bronchitis.
In order to avoid all these problems, the best way is to remain
smoke free. You have to remain committed and determined to stay healthy and lead a disease-free life.
