No Smoking Day: The addiction of smoking cigarettes is not only harmful for health, but it is also the main cause of many serious diseases. The risk of fatal diseases like cancer, heart disease, lung diseases and diabetes increases manifold in smokers. It has been proved in many researches that smoking cigarettes damages almost every part of the body. Despite this, people are not able to get rid of this addiction, which is having a bad effect on their health.
Smoking increases the risk of cancer
Smoking is the biggest cause of lung cancer . Smoking cigarettes is responsible for about 80% of lung cancer and deaths caused by it . Apart from this, it also increases the risk of mouth, throat, intestine, bladder, kidney, pancreas, stomach, ovary and leukemia (blood cancer) manifold.
Smokers are also more likely to develop colorectal (intestinal cancer) and liver cancer . The nicotine, tar and other toxic chemicals present in it damage the cells of the body, causing cancer cells to develop.
risk of heart disease and stroke
Smoking cigarettes seriously affects the heart and blood vessels . It increases blood pressure and causes plaque to build up in the arteries , which can impede blood circulation. This condition is called atherosclerosis , which can lead to heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease .
Smoking cigarettes thickens the blood, which increases the likelihood of blood clots . It can also cause problems like angina and heart failure .
Lung diseases: aggravates COPD and asthma
Smoking cigarettes is a major cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) . This disease gives rise to problems like emphysema and chronic bronchitis .
- Smoking is extremely dangerous for asthma patients because it can make the symptoms more severe.
- Long-term smoking can cause permanent damage to the lungs , called pulmonary fibrosis .
The relationship between diabetes and smoking
There is a higher risk of type 2 diabetes in those who smoke cigarettes . It increases insulin resistance in the body, due to which the blood sugar level becomes uncontrolled.
- Smoking increases the risk of heart disease, kidney disease, and nervous system complications .
- This can lead to poor blood flow to the veins of the legs and feet , increasing the risk of gangrene and limb amputation .
Smoking weakens the immune system
Smoking cigarettes weakens the immune system , making the body more susceptible to infections.
- This increases the risk of diseases like pneumonia, bronchitis and tuberculosis .
- Smoking can cause serious complications for pregnant women . It can lead to low birth weight babies and premature delivery .
Rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases
Smoking increases the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis . It is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the body’s immune system
Other serious diseases caused by smoking
- Eye problems: Smoking can cause diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration , which can lead to poor vision.
- Effect on Fertility: Smoking cigarettes can cause infertility in both men and women.
- Teeth and gum disease: Smoking can cause serious gum disease, tooth loss, and bad breath .
- Hearing loss: Smoking cigarettes for a long time can affect your hearing.
Why is it important to quit smoking?
Quitting smoking brings many positive health changes:
- Within 20 minutes: Blood pressure and heart rate return to normal.
- In 12 hours: Carbon monoxide levels in the blood return to normal.
- In 2-12 weeks: Blood circulation improves.
- In 1 year: The risk of heart disease is reduced by 50%.
- In 5-10 years: The risk of stroke and lung cancer is significantly reduced.
Smoking is extremely dangerous for health and can cause serious diseases like cancer, heart disease, lung diseases and diabetes . If you smoke, quitting can be the best decision for your health. If you are having difficulty quitting, seek help by consulting a doctor and resorting to methods like nicotine replacement therapy.
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