Harmful effects of smoking and health benefits of quitting

If only oral and oropharyngeal cancers weren’t enough, you must know that smoking has strongly been associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer, pancreatic cancer, cancer of the uterus and even that of the brain.

Studies have found that almost 85% of the total cases of lung cancer are caused by cigarette smoking. Not surprising since it reduces the levels of antioxidants in the body, which have a protective action against tissue damage.

What links smoking to cancer is the presence of toxic substances present in the cigarette, particularly tar, which has been proven to be carcinogenic. The various particles suspended in tar, giving it a characteristic brown colour, contain a potent carcinogen called benzopyrene, which raises your risk of several types of cancer.

Further, lung cancer is caused due to the deposition of noxious substances in the blood like hydrogen cyanide, hydrocarbons, nitrous oxide and organic acids..

It has been well-established that smoking increases the risk of oral cancer due to its irritant actions. This is often preceded by precancerous lesions like leukoplakia, which is manifested as a white patch on the oral mucosa. If you witness even a slight discolouration of your mucosa, it is important to visit your dentist so as to take precautionary measures.

You must note that leukoplakia is a reversible condition and does not always turn to cancer, provided it is managed on time. Oral cancer, unfortunately, is not reversible and would require surgical resection or radiotherapy. Even after that, its 5-year survival rate which is as low as 50%. Not all worth a smoke, right?

Tobacco has been listed as a carcinogen and a majority of oral cancer cases have been observed in habitual smokers. Not a coincidence, we guess.

Further, the risk of oral cancer increases by up to 15 times when combined with alcohol. Not just cancer of the mouth, smoking also increases the likelihood of several oropharyngeal cancer like that of the pharynx or the oesophagus with more than 93% of their cases being reported due to smoking. So, maybe it’s time to check your habits.

A smoker can be easily identified from their mouth. Dental stains, discolouration of the teeth and darkening of the lips are some common findings. Stains are seen due to the deposition of tar on the teeth, which gives them a brownish look.

But, cigarette smoking affects more than your aesthetics, if that wasn’t already a problem.

With time, smokers will experience loosening of the tooth and receding of the gum line along with the formation of pockets. These pockets contain bacteria and other disease-causing microorganisms, which leads to different oral manifestations like halitosis, bleeding while brushing or oozing of pus from the gums. Just imagine how gross things would be.

Oral halitosis is not merely bad breath, which can be dealt with the help of mouth fresheners, it is a disturbing condition and often poses psychological problems and self-image issues among those affected. Halitosis is worse among smokers due to dehydration caused by the effect of tobacco.

Further, periodontitis will eventually cause loss of the tooth. These are just the mildest side-effects of smoking, there is a lot more ahead.

Smokers are often seen coughing. Ever wondered why?

Smoking significantly increases the risk of COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders, which are a group of lung disorders, causing difficulty in breathing. This will be manifested as more than just a cough in most cases.

Wheezing, shortness of breath, dyspnoea and difficulty in breathing upon exertion and exercise are some of the common symptoms of COPD. If you experience these, it is probably time to quit. Also, don’t forget to book your doctor’s appointment because these symptoms are anything but normal.

In case you were wondering, you must know that 85% of the cases of COPD are caused due to cigarette smoking. This is due to the effect of smoking on the ciliary muscles and mucosa, which interfere with the cleansing mechanism of the respiratory system, causing toxic substance and pollutants to accumulate. So, be prepared for some discomfort if you do not quit.

The bright side is that as and when you quit smoking, cilia are the foremost structures to heal in your body. So, you have a choice to make.

The effects of smoking are not just on your lungs. It also affects cardiac tissues and blood vessels, causing the blood to become thicker. The thickness of blood can be attributed to the release of carbon monoxide upon lighting a cigarette. Smoking also causes the release of oxidising agents, which increases the risk of clot formation and raises blood pressure and heart rate.

This implies that there is an increase in the effort by your heart, causing it to work much harder. These effects occur due to the harmful components present in cigarettes, particularly tar.

Since smoking contributes to clot formation, it causes narrowing down of the arteries leading to atherosclerosis. As your arteries narrow, the amount of blood flowing to the heart is reduced, which can lead to heart attack or coronary heart disease and peripheral artery disease.

It has been found that the risk of coronary heart disease is twice as much among smokers as compared to those who do not smoke.

Further, smoking also reduces blood flow to other major organs, which can lead to their damage. It can, therefore, be determined that smoking increases the risk of damage to each and every organ of your body. One major organ affected by this is your brain as smoking contributes to an increased risk of stroke. By ceasing smoking, you reduce your risk by almost a half within a year. Additionally, you save those affected by passive smoke.

Smoking increases the risk of gastric ulcers and even stomach cancer since it is an irritant to the gastric mucosa. Smoking weakens the oesophagal muscles responsible for controlling gastroesophageal sphincter, which is primarily responsible for passing down food down the oesophagus. It also prevents regurgitation of stomach contents into the oesophagus.

As this sphincter is affected, acid reflux is seen among smokers. Due to repeated reflux, there is also an increased incidence of heartburn and acidity. Over time, acid reflux causes ulcers in the stomach and also increases the risk of gastric cancer due to these ulcerations.

Smokers are more prone to infections and illnesses, particularly those of the respiratory system. Lung infections are most common among smokers due to a lowered immune status and the irritation of trachea caused by cigarette smoke. Lung irritation and damage slowly causes narrowing down of airway passage and leads to the symptoms of breathlessness and wheezing, which gradually progress on to COPD. In addition to this, the chances of other allergies and infections are also increased.

However, the effect is not just limited to a lowered immunity. Studies have found that smoking significantly increases the risk of autoimmunity in the body, which can further lead to skin-related autoimmune disorders and transplant rejection in case the person requires any. So, it is best to stay away from this poor habit.

Smoking increases the levels of free radicals in your body, which are responsible for early signs of ageing due to their aggressive actions. This will be seen as wrinkling of the skin and greying of the hair along with other signs of premature ageing like fine lines, age spots and uneven skin tone.

Its effects on the hair include hair greying, hair fall and hair loss.

Other than this, it is also common to note visual disturbances among smokers, with the precedence of visual problems commonly experienced in old age. But are these effects just in the form of early ageing? Probably not. Some studies suggest that due to an increased risk of macular degeneration, some smokers even have a chance of getting blind by the age they turn 65.

This is true that smoking increases the risk of several diseases and disorders. But it also is associated with a higher rate of mortality. Smoking has been identified as an independent risk factor for premature death among young individuals. This could either be due to lung cancer, COPD, cardiovascular disease or stroke. Even those facing passive smoke aren’t safe. So, all you can do to ensure your longevity and that of your loved ones is quit.