Smoking Health Effects

The smoking health effects are serious, complicated, long lasting and more often than not, fatal. In the US if you add up all the deaths from HIV/AIDs, illegal drugs, alcohol abuse, car crashes, suicides and murder you would still not equal the deaths caused by smoking health effects. According to the Center for Disease Control in the US, the risks of smoking are pervasive and cause health risks in nearly every system in the body.

Smokers die. They die at alarming rates. 90% of the lung cancer fatalities for men, 80% of the same in women are the direct result of cigarette health effects.
For both men and women, 90% of chronic obstructive lung disease is a direct result of smoking health effects.

Smokers get chronic preventable illnesses at a significantly higher rate than non smokers. The smoking effects on health include a 2-4 time greater chance of stroke. Heart disease, heart attack and hardening of the arteries are 2-4 times more likely. Coronary heart disease, according to the Center for Disease Control is the leading cause of death in the US. By reducing circulation and narrowing blood vessels, along with thickening blood, smokers are at greater risk for heart disease, peripheral vascular disease (PAD) which blocks the large arteries in arms and legs causing pain, tissue loss and in some cases gangrene.

Death by lung obstructive diseases such as emphysema increases by 12-13 times in smokers than non-smokers. The risk of developing lung cancer increases by 23 times in men and 13 times in women. Emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic airway obstruction and lung cancer are all part of the cigarette health effects.

Smoking effects causes Cancer. Not just lung cancer but also acute myeloid leukemia, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, cancer of the larynx and/or pharynx, cervical cancer, stomach or esophageal cancer, mouth and oral cavity cancer, and cancer of the uterus.

Smoking effects causes problems with the Reproductive System. Infertility, stillbirths, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), preterm delivery and miscarriages as well as low birth weight are all more likely for smokers. Sperm level and mobility are effect by smoking. Erectile dysfunction is more common in men that smoke. In women it may increase the likelihood of infertility.

Smoking has additional health risks for women. Lower bone density is more likely in postmenopausal women who smoke. Increased hip fractures are more likely for women who smoke. It can alter menstrual flow patterns including increasing pain, irregularity and speeding the onset of menopause. It also increases eye problems including the risk for cataracts and age based macular degeneration.

Smoking will affect your children. From birth with low birth rate if mothers smoke, to increased levels of sudden infant death syndrome, reduced lung function and an increased chance of intrauterine retardation. Second hand smoke in children of parents who smoke can increase many respiratory related diseases.
Lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis, pneumonia and other chronic obstructive lung conditions increase significantly in children exposed to second hand smoke. The number and severity of asthma attacks are higher in children with asthma that are exposed to second hand smoke. Middle ear infections are also higher in children exposed to smoking effects.

Smoking health effects are serious, complex and long lasting. In many cases smoking is a direct link to death and disease. Smoking effects can be a problem for the people around you as much as for you. Talk to your medical professional about creating an integrated quitting program to reduce the negative problems of withdrawal and the harmful effects of cigarettes.
Consider all the options; in some areas electronic cigarettes are available without nicotine delivery systems to provide the sensation of smoking without the side effects. The electronic cigarettes are not always available, check with your local medical professional to determine if electronic cigarettes offer a safe, effective solution to aid in your stop smoking plan. If you need the feel of a cigarette in your hand to survive the cessation process, the electronic cigarette or a similar substitute may help. There are ways to combine a number of options to make for the best solutions for your individual needs. Consider a plan that includes nicotine replacement medication from your physician, activities to keep you engaged, electronic cigarettes to resolve pairing conflicts (habitual situations where smoking cravings are increased) and other support networks to help you with the withdrawal symptoms. Do the appropriate research, before you develop your cessation plan, check on the safety of every element.
If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke find resources in your area to help you quit. Every state offers telephone resources and support for smokers wanting to quit. Smoking affects the quality of your life and the lives of the people you love.