Effects of smoking on our health and the Ways to quit smoking

Effects of smoking on our health and the Ways to quit smoking

Source: smoking and health

Are you a chain smoker? Did your smoking journey commenced due to peer pressure or did you consider it as cool? Approximately, 90% of people begin this physical addiction and psychological habit during their teenage life. Close parental monitoring becomes crucial during adolescence. Teenage smokers hurt their physical fitness affecting their regular performance, strength, and endurance. Are you experiencing discoloration of teeth, bad breath, and cold limbs with sudden behavioral changes in your children? Keep a watchful eye, as these are some early symptoms of being a regular smoker. If you or any of your close ones are a chain smoker and you want them to quit it, then this article will succor you with every necessary detail.

Smoking is an unhealthy practice in which the plant material is burnt and the resulting fumes are inhaled and absorbed into the bloodstream. Burning tobacco is usually sheathed in cigars and cigarettes. According to several studies, smoking 1-4 cigarettes each day increases the risk of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) resulting in death by heart attacks.  Annually, more than 10 million people in India lose their lives due to tobacco. On burning, cigarettes generate around 7000 chemicals, out of which more than 70 of them are associated with cancer. Cessation of smoking is difficult as it is highly addictive due to the substance called, nicotine which releases a chemical in the brain named, dopamine, which provokes the brain to repeat its actions.

Smoking and Health

Certain poisons like, nicotine and cyanide are present in cigarettes which can become life-threatening when consumed in high doses. When these poisons are first introduced to our body, it causes pain, vomiting, or burning sensations in the throat and lungs. Smoking has a negative impact on the sexual health of both men and women.

Long-term effects of smoking are:

  • Cancer
  • Stroke
  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • Lung damage
  • Ulcers
  • Diabetes
  • Osteoporosis
  • Gum disease
  • Eye disease

Teen smokers undergo problems like:

  • Bad breath
  • Foul-smelling hair and clothes
  • Declining sports performance
  • Prolonged healing process
  • Prone to illness

Quitting Smoking Timeline

There are instant profits of cessation of smoking. The body starts to recover the moment one quits to smoke. The recovery pattern:

1 hour later

Blood circulation begins to improve and the heart rate returns to normal.

12 hours later

Cigarette smoke contains carbon monoxide which is fatal in larger amounts and prevents the entry of oxygen inside the lungs. Carbon monoxide can lead to suffocation due to the deficiency of oxygen. After 12 hours, the body becomes free of the carbon monoxide gases from the cigarette, increasing the oxygen level of the body.

After a day

The increased risk of several heart diseases reduces a day after quitting smoking. The oxygen level in the body becomes normal, increasing the ease to perform the physical exercises.

After 2 days

Regular smoking affects the sense of taste and smell. After 2 days, the healing of the nerves responsible for the sense of taste and smell begins.

After 3 days

As the nicotine levels are reduced in the body, the person starts experiencing irritation, moodiness, acute headache, and cravings as the body normalizes.

1 month later

Several affected organs like the lungs and the heart begins to heal. Lung capacity improves, reducing cough. Cardiovascular activities like running and jumping get improved.

3 months later

Blood circulation continuously improves for the next several months.

1 year later

The lungs are almost healed. The frequency of lung infection reduces drastically. The risk of coronary heart diseases reduces to half.

5 years later

The poisonous substances of cigarettes result in the narrowing of arteries and blood vessels. After 5 years, these begin to widen, reducing the risk of strokes.

10 years later

The risk of developing lung cancer and dying reduces to half. Similarly, chances of mouth and throat cancer have decreased to the same level.

20 years later

The chances of developing heart diseases and types of cancer is no more.

Benefits of Quitting Smoking

  1. Better circulation
  2. Improved sense of taste and smell
  3. Increased energy
  4. Boosting of the immune system
  5. Normal teeth and mouth
  6. Reduced chances of cancer
  7. Improved sex life

Bottom Line

Addiction to smoking can be very dangerous for you and your close ones as its smoke is inhaled by everyone around you. Cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, diabetes, blindness are some of the life-long health issues caused by the harmful toxins of cigarettes. Smoking might give you a respectable place in your peer group, but in the long run, you will always regret your decision. Life is more valuable than the society you live in. So, value your life more than the people in your life.

Comments (2)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *