Nicotine is a chemical substance that is found in tobacco products like cigarettes. Smoking is one of the most common outlets that nicotine has to get into the body. Some short-term effects of nicotine include a rush of energy and a feeling of relaxation. Although this may seem inviting, the long term effects can be a lot worse and even fatal.
Cancer
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world. When inhaled through cigarettes or other tobacco products, nicotine can cause cancer of the lungs. If that's not bad enough, it can also lead to cancer in other areas of the body such as the larynx, mouth, lips, throat, stomach, cervix and pancreas. In addition to that, the lungs can also suffer a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) such as chronic bronchitis or emphysema. These conditions are characterized by repetitive coughing and wheezing.
Constriction
The heart is the most important muscle in the system. It is responsible for pumping blood to the whole body. Nicotine can increase your risk for cardiovascular diseases like strokes, heart attacks, heart disease, peripheral vascular disease and aneurysms. This happens as a result of blood vessels getting constricted. This blood vessel constriction can also cause impotence in men.
Secondhand Smoke
Secondhand smoke also goes by the name "environmental tobacco smoke." This is the smoke that is exhaled from the lungs of a smoker or comes from the smoke of a tobacco product that is burning. The nicotine that this smoke produces is twice that of inhaling a cigarette first hand. The long term effects of secondhand smoke are especially dangerous to children. According to the University of Minnesota, "Children exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to experience increased frequency of asthma, colds, bronchitis, pneumonia, middle ear infections, sinus infections and caries in deciduous teeth."
Pregnancy
There are some risks that nicotine proposes to specific women. According to the American Cancer Society, "Women over 35 years of age who smoke and use birth control pills are at a greater risk for heart attack, stroke and blood clots in the legs." Women from this group are also more prone to have a miscarriage, to give birth to babies who have physical and mental problems or to give birth to babies who are born with a low-birthweight. According to March of Dimes, "Smoking nearly doubles a woman's chance of having a low-birthweight baby."
Eyes
Macular degeneration is a condition that can cause slow, progressive loss of vision--ultimately leading to blindness. According to CNNhealth.com, smokers are 4 times more likely to get macular degeneration than non-smokers.
