The smoking of tobacco via cigarettes or other means poses many serious health risks. Although the most well known is an increased incidence of lung cancer, tobacco smoking is a health hazard for many reasons. These include increased risk of pulmonary and cardiovascular disease, as well as heightened odds for developing lung infections. Smoking also poses a health threat to the mouth and throat and is a danger for pregnant women.
Pulmonary Diseases
One of the most serious consequences of the inhalation of tobacco smoke is the damage that is done to the lungs. Tobacco smoke contains many substances, including carbon monoxide and cyanide, which damage the lung tissue. This causes the lung tissue to become less elastic and makes breathing more difficult. As a result, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, also known as COPD, and emphysema can result, which are both serious and potentially life-changing conditions.
Cardiovascular effects
Another significant health risk from smoking is the effect on the heart and the rest of the cardiovascular system. Tobacco smoke not only increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke, but it also increases the likelihood of developing peripheral vascular disease and atherosclerosis. Tobacco contains several compounds that cause the blood vessels to narrow, which can greatly increase the risk of a stroke or heart attack. Tobacco smoke also can change the way cells divide in cardiac tissue and, as a result, can affect the shape of the heart.
Lung Cancer
Possibly the best known health complication, 1 in 10 people who have smoked at some point in their lives will develop lung cancer. Cigarette smoke contains at least 19 compounds that are classified as carcinogens. Lung cancer is the most commonly thought-of cancer linked to tobacco smoke, but oral cancer, including that of the mouth and larynx, is also a significant risk. In addition, tobacco smoke has been linked to an increased risk of developing several other forms of cancer.
Tobacco Smoke and Pregnancy
Several studies have shown that tobacco smoke can lead to a significant increase in the chance of a miscarriage for women who smoke. Compounds in tobacco smoke can cause serious health problems for an unborn fetus. These risks are significant even for secondhand smoke. In addition, exposure to secondhand smoke has been linked to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
Infection
Smoking tobacco puts you at a significantly higher risk for infections. Smoking more than 20 cigarettes a day, for example, has been linked to a 200 to 400% increase in the likelihood of getting tuberculosis, as well as increasing your chances of contracting other lung infections, such as pneumonia or bronchitis. This is not only because of the tissue damage that occurs as a result of tobacco smoke inhalation, but also because tobacco smoke paralyzes the cilia, which help expel debris and mucus from the lungs. Smoking tobacco has been shown to weaken the immune system.
Tags: been linked, tobacco smoke, compounds that, damage that, heart attack