Tobacco is the cause of several preventable diseases
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s guidelines on the harms of tobacco use, “Tobacco is the single largest cause of preventable deaths and illnesses worldwide….CONTINUE READING
It kills half of its users prematurely, mostly in their most reproductive age.
Tobacco use is a major risk factor for cancer, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), diabetes, and chronic lung disease, stroke, infertility, blindness, tuberculosis (TB), oral cavities, etc.”
Heart diseases Smoking causes damage to the heart. It increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. According to a Harvard Health publishing article, “This is important because heart disease, not lung cancer, as many people believe, is the biggest health risk brought on by smoking”. Smoking leads to deposition of plaque on blood vessels this starves heart muscles for oxygen finally leading to heart attack.
Cause harm to your lungs
Smoking damages your airways and the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs, which can lead to lung disease. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are two lung diseases brought on by smoking. Lung cancer is primarily caused by cigarette smoking. Smoking tobacco can start an asthma attack or aggravate an existing attack.
Fertility problem
Smoking has led to a rise in the problem of infertility among men and women. It makes it harder for women to become pregnant and even affects the newborn baby’s health. For men, it affects their sperm count.
Harms your oral health
Smoking affects the health of your teeth and gums and can cause tooth loss. It harms oral health by causing bad breath, stained teeth, gum disease, delayed healing after dental procedures, and a higher risk of oral cancer. It reduces saliva production, promoting bacterial growth.
Eye problems
Smoking can increase your risk of cataracts and cause age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is damage to an area in your eye located near the retina, the part of the eye needed for central vision. The toxic chemicals in tobacco smoke damage delicate eye tissues, leading to vision deterioration and potential blindness. Quitting smoking can help mitigate these risks and preserve long-term eye health.
Can cause diabetes
Smoking increases the risk of diabetes. It induces inflammation, insulin resistance, and stress, disrupting glucose metabolism. Nicotine impairs insulin sensitivity, elevating blood sugar levels. Tobacco toxins lead to reduced insulin production. Smoking promotes abdominal fat deposition, worsening insulin resistance. Moreover, it escalates cardiovascular risk, exacerbating diabetes. It can even lead to type 2 diabetes.
Harms your stomach
Gut health is also affected by smoking. It can induce acid reflux. It happens due to the nicotine present in cigarettes
, which reduces the protective coating of the stomach, leading to an increase in the amount of acid the organ produces. Smoking impairs the function of the muscles that control the opening between the stomach and esophagus, due to which the acid in your stomach goes right into your esophagus, causing discomfort. It reduces the body’s ability to absorb micronutrients like vitamins C and E. Shortages of these can quickly leave you feeling weak and depressed….CONTINUE READING