This article discusses the dangers of nicotine & tobacco, including the risks of cancer, heart disease, and other diseases. It also discusses the effects of smoking on the body and how to quit smoking.
The Risks of Nicotine & Tobacco
As much as you might enjoy tobacco, it’s no secret that nicotine & tobacco-based products are the leading cause behind a host of health issues affecting almost every part of your body. The smoke you inhale derived from tobacco is laden with dangerous substances like nicotine, lead, arsenic, etc., that are absorbed into your body quicker than you would think. And this puts you at risk of developing severe health complications – some even fatal.
The Harmful Effects of Tobacco & Nicotine
If you have been thinking about how to quit nicotine or tobacco, maybe learning about the associated health issues might provide you with the impetus you need. Here are some common effects tobacco and nicotine have on your body. Preventing tobacco use is important to ensure public health. Tobacco cigarettes cause many diseases, and smoking cigarettes increases the risk of developing a variety of illnesses, including cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tobacco use remains a high priority in the United States and is the leading cause of preventable deaths. The Office of the Surgeon General has stated that continued tobacco use causes many diseases, and it remains a fact that quitting smoking reduces this risk.
Tobacco use in any form affects the respiratory system, increasing the risk of lung, larynx and throat cancers. Cigarette smoking can also cause colorectal, bladder and pancreatic cancers. Cigar smoking has been linked to many different types of cancers such as those of the kidneys, skin, liver and reproductive system. Furthermore, tobacco use has been linked to an increased risk for eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
It can also worsen existing lung diseases, and increase the likelihood of developing lung infections, asthma, and respiratory infections including pneumonia and tuberculosis. Tobacco use is associated with an increased risk for oral diseases such as tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer. Many e-cigarette users are current or former smokers who are looking to reduce their consumption of tobacco products.
Lung Diseases
Tobacco cigarette smoke affects your lungs the most. This is because the harmful substances you inhale are deposited within the lungs and airways over time, causing irreparable damage to your respiratory system. Unfortunately, the effects aren’t noticeable instantly, so by the time you realize that there is something wrong with your respiratory system, the damage may already be irreversible.
Smoker’s cough is the most common sign that your lungs and airways are affected by the chemicals present in cigarette smoke, although not all smokers may experience this. It’s your body’s way of trying to remove all those toxins from the respiratory tract. Unfortunately, the buildup of these toxic substances can lead to numerous respiratory ailments, including bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, emphysema, and so on.
Heart Ailments
Tobacco & Nicotine smoking is a major cause of heart ailments too. The toxins present in the tobacco smoke can damage the blood vessels, increasing your risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes. People who use tobacco often suffer from hypertension, and have higher cholesterol levels, all of which can interfere with heart health.
Health issues like coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, arrhythmia, peripheral arterial disease, and abdominal aortic aneurysm are also common in individuals exposed to tobacco smoke on a daily basis.
Pregnancy Issues
Smoking tobacco during pregnancy can lead to numerous complications for both the mother and the unborn child. Some of the most common issues include premature birth, poor development of the baby, congenital disabilities, low birth weight, weakened lungs, and so on.
Babies exposed to tobacco smoke are at a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The same is true for babies whose mother smoked tobacco or was exposed to smoke tobacco during the duration of pregnancy. In addition, exposure to toxic smoke may also increase the chances of miscarriage or stillbirth to a considerable extent.
Cancer
Tobacco & Nicotine Smokers are usually at a higher risk of developing cancer. This is because the toxic substances in tobacco smoke can damage or weaken the cells of your body, aiding in cancer growth. While smoking tobacco is the major cause of lung cancer globally, it can also lead to the growth of cancerous cells anywhere in the body.
It can cause cancer in the mouth, throat, larynx, lungs, pancreas, stomach, kidney, liver, rectum, colon, and other parts of the body. So if you haven’t yet been thinking about how do I quit tobacco or nicotine, maybe it’s time you should!
Nicotine Addiction
Tobacco poses another major danger – addiction. The nicotine present in tobacco-based cigarettes is highly addictive, making people dependent on it. As a result, tobacco smokers won’t be able to stop using tobacco products without going through severe withdrawal symptoms.
Although harmful to the body, nicotine stimulates feelings of contentment and pleasure in smokers, causing them to become dependent on tobacco-based cigarettes. It’s not incurable, though – medications, NRT’s & healthier alternatives to ease the withdrawals help. Switching to nicotine-free cigarettes might also be a good idea to control cravings.
In Conclusion
KHOOR is here to help provide education, information & resources for those looking to drop the nicotine & tobacco.
How can I read more?
To learn more about KHOOR click any of the buttons on this page or click here. More links and information about Khoor’s product is through a QR code printed on the side of every product and found on the back of every carton. Simply check the side of the pack or carton, scan the QR code with your phone and you will be sent to a directory of information.
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