Health Risks of Smoking

smoke coming from a cigarette

 

As more and more people are aware of the importance of smoke-free environment, health campaigns that call for the ban of smoking seem to be growing in number. The good news is that it does not only happen on a global scale, but it also occurs in domestic and public domains. Public places, such as hospitals and offices, are the evidence that people understand the dangers that the smoke brings. Similar cases happen in private houses where more and more residents are going smoke-free.

Speaking about the health effects of cigarettes means also talking about diseases that smoke from cigarette causes. Lung cancer is one example while diabetes is a more complex illness that partially comes from the toxins in the cigarette. At this point, trying to find cigarette’s plus points will be useless. Some people perceive them as a manly choice, but it does not change the fact that it is one of the most dangerous silent killers. Thus, this article highlights the dangers of smoking for health.

Lung Disorders

Lungs are the first organs that are affected by the smoke, making it a vulnerable part of the body that needs protection. One effective way of protecting the lungs is to stay away from cigarettes and its smoke. However, heavy smokers seem to ignore this fact and prefer to spend packs of cigarettes daily. Lung disorders happen as a result of years of exposure to smoke, and it includes lung cancer, tuberculosis, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Passive smokers also face the same dangers since they also inhale the smoke.

Cardiovascular Damage

Smoking can increase the risks of heart attack and stroke. It is the first fact that people need to know about cardiovascular damage caused by cigarettes. Unfortunately, the impacts do not stop there as it can lead to other conditions, such as high blood pressure and weaker physical ability. The toxins found in cigarettes can also turn blood into a clot, increasing the levels of cholesterol in the blood. It also adversely affects blood vessel and its function to circulate blood from the heart to all body parts. Unfortunately, parts that are quite far from the heart, such as veins in hands and legs, are also prone to an issue called a peripheral vascular disease that causes unbearable pain.