Smoking is an unhealthy habit that kills an estimated 50 million adults each year in the U.S, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Some people smoke for stress relief while others smoke as a social activity. Whatever the reason, smoking cigarettes can cause extensive damage to your internal organs and can even put you at risk for developing a host of potentially deadly diseases.
Respiratory Disease
Your lungs are extremely sensitive organs. Repeatedly inhaling toxic cigarette smoke damages fragile lung tissue, causing airway constriction, coughing and shortness of breath. Smoking cigarettes greatly increases your chances of developing dangerous respiratory diseases like bronchitis, emphysema and pneumonia. These on-going illnesses cause chronic breathing difficulties that can worsen over time.
Cardiovascular Disease
The harmful chemicals contained in cigarettes can cause severe damage to your heart and blood vessels that can lead to cardiovascular problems like poor circulation, heart disease, peripheral vascular disease and abdominal aortic aneurysms. According to the CDC, people who smoke cigarettes are twice as likely to die from a heart attack as those who do not smoke. The CDC also states that smoking cigarettes more than doubles your risk of having a stroke.
Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, more than 60 of the 4,000 chemicals found in cigarettes are known carcinogens. Smoking cigarettes significantly increases your risk of developing cancer. Cigarette smoking can cause you to develop cancer of the lungs, stomach, cervix, larynx, kidney, uterus, bladder, mouth or esophagus. The American Cancer Society reports that tobacco use accounts for about 30% of all cancer deaths in the U. S.
Other Health Problems
Women who smoke increase their risk of experiencing infertility. According to the CDC, smoking while you are pregnant can put your unborn baby at risk for SIDS, stillbirth, preterm delivery and a low birth weight. Not only is smoking bad for your health, it can also affect your physical appearance. The American Cancer Society states that smoking cigarettes can cause you to develop premature wrinkles, dental problems, bad breath and yellow fingernails.
Prevention/Solution
Since smoking causes an enormous amount of damage to the body, the best thing you can do for your body if you are a smoker is to quit. According to the American Cancer Society, smoking cessation drastically reduces your risk of developing cancer or lung disease and of having a heart attack or stroke. The first step toward regaining your health is to make the decision to quit. If you want to stop smoking, talk to your doctor about trying a nicotine replacement patch, gum or lozenge.
