Effects of Smoking

Smoking or cigarette smoking is harmful for health, as the cigarette smoke contains a number of toxic substances that adversely affect various parts of the body. Smoking is considered as one of the most important risk factors for heart attacks, stroke and lung diseases like, chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and lung cancer. It is believed that risk for such diseases can be significantly reduced by quitting smoking. Along with active smoking, the passive smoking effects can also be dangerous.

The Perils of Smoking Cigarettes
The cigarette smoke typically contains about 4000 chemicals, out of which the most dangerous chemicals in cigarette are, nicotine, carbon monoxide, arsenic, nitrous oxides, phenols, acetone, acetylene, cyanide, formaldehyde, ammonia, methanol and strychnine. Many of the substances found in cigarette smoke are carcinogenic, which can bind to DNA to cause genetic mutation and cancer. The tar or the suspended particles of the cigarette smoke forms a sticky coating in the lung tissues, which can cause lung diseases and cancer over a period of time.

The ill effects of this addiction is however, not limited to the lungs. Regular smoking can affect other organs of the body as well. The carbon monoxide found in cigarette smoke binds with hemoglobin, which can adversely affect the transportation of oxygen to the various parts of the body including, the brain and the heart. It can increase the risk for atherosclerosis, where fatty deposits build up within the arterial wall and cause narrowing of the arteries. Atherosclerosis is the major risk factor for heart and cardiovascular diseases.

One of the immediate effects is an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, which can strain the heart and the blood vessels. The level of antioxidants in smokers are usually low, which can make the body cells and tissues more prone to the damaging effects of free radicals. The long-term risks of smoking include, impotence in men, infertility in women and early appearance of wrinkles. Smoking can affect your lungs and can lead to health problems like chronic cough, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema and cancer of the lung. Apart from lung cancer, regular smoking can cause cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus and many other organs of the body. Smoking can compromise the normal immune functions as well.

Smoking During Pregnancy
Cigarette smoking can spell trouble for pregnant women and the unborn fetus. The risk for conditions like, ectopic pregnancy, placental problems such as, placental abruption and placental previa, and vaginal bleeding can increase in pregnant women smoking cigarettes. The nicotine found in cigarette smoke can constrict the blood vessels of the umbilical cord, which can reduce the supply of oxygen to the fetus. The risk for miscarriages too can increase due to smoking. Stillbirth, premature birth, low birth weight and cleft lip and cleft palate can be some other possible risks of smoking during pregnancy . On the other hand, babies exposed to secondhand smoke can be at an increased risk of the condition, known as 'sudden infant death syndrome' (SIDS).

Dangers of Smoking Weed
Smoking weed or marijuana is a highly controversial subject, with some people supporting its use claiming that weed is non-addictive, while others highlighting the harmful effects of this drug on the brain and other parts of the body. People who support the use of weed claim that it has several medicinal properties, especially in controlling pain associated with cancer and relieving eye pressure to treat glaucoma. It is also claimed to be effective in killing brain tumor cells. As far as negative effects of weed are concerned, weed is said to alter mind and perception and adversely affect memory. The immediate effects of this habit include, an increase in heart rate and a drop in blood pressure. Smoking marijuana is also believed to raise the risk for respiratory problems and heart attacks.

Though the consequences of smoking are widely known, people find it quite difficult to quit or stop smoking, as they experience a number of nicotine withdrawal symptoms. But, you can always take the help of counseling to cope with these withdrawal symptoms. Quitting smoking can help you lower the risk of a number of diseases and thus lead a healthy life.