There are many reasons not to smoke or to quit smoking. Smokers face a huge number of potential diseases. Smoking affects areas throughout the entire body and it can ravage vital organs to lead to serious illness or even death. The more you smoke the closer you come to falling victim to one of these diseases.
Heart Disease
Smoking is a major cause of atherosclerosis, a buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries, the Cleveland Clinic notes. The buildup restricts the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart. The strain on the heart can lead to angina or chest pain. When an artery becomes completely blocked by the deposits, it can cause a heart attack. Smoking also affects the blood vessels that carry blood to the brain, which can result in stroke.
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. These diseases can affect smokers as young as 40. Long-term smokers have a greater risk of developing severe COPD, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). COPD eventually robs people of their breathing abilities, gets worse over time and becomes fatal.
Lung Cancer
The majority of lung cancer cases are due to smoking, according to Netdoctor.com. Even moderate smokers can be affected. But the more cigarettes you smoke and the longer you smoke, the higher your risk of getting lung cancer.
Other Cancers
Smoking increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, larynx, throat and esophagus. It also contributes to cancers of the bladder, kidney, pancreas, cervix and stomach, the ACS points out.
Erectile Dysfunction
Smoking interferes with the blood flow to the penis and contributes to erection difficulties. Smoking may increase the risk of erectile dysfunction by 50 percent for men in their 30s and 40s, according to Netdoctor.com.
Respiratory Infections
Respiratory infections are more common in children exposed to secondhand smoke, the Cleveland Clinic explains. Pneumonia is one of the serious respiratory infections caused by smoking. Smoking increases the risk of getting sick from respiratory problems.
Peripheral Artery Disease
Atherosclerosis caused by smoking can also interfere with arteries that bring blood to the arms and legs, which can cause painful cramping and in severe cases lead to gangrene and amputation, according to Netdoctor.com.
Diabetes
Smoking increases the risk of developing diabetes and adds complications for people who already have it, the Cleveland Clinic says.
Blindness
People who smoke put themselves at an increased risk of developing macular degeneration, the ACS says. Macular degeneration is an age-related disease that causes progressive damage to the central part of the retina, affecting the vision involved in fine details.
Ulcers
Smoking increases the risk of developing ulcers, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The harmful ingredients in cigarettes contribute to the slow healing sores in the lining of the stomach.
