The Effects of Smoking on the Body

Whether you're a smoker or not, you probably know it can harm your body. But you might not know that smoking can cause cancer and other diseases.

Emphysema

Among the many effects of smoking on the body is damage to the lungs. When cigarette smoke enters the lungs, it damages the cilia, the cells that clean the airways. This leads to an obstruction in the flow of oxygen and carbon dioxide and makes it difficult for the lungs to breathe.

The alveoli, or minor, thin-walled air sacs, are also damaged. These air sacs lose their ability to expand and contract. This shrinking of the alveoli forces carbon dioxide out of the body. When they cannot grow, the air sacs become thick and swollen and impede breathing.

Heart disease

Compared to non-smokers, smoking increases heart attack and stroke risk. Cigarette smoke contains 4,000 chemicals, some of which are carcinogens. They damage the cells that line the heart, blood vessels, and other organs.

Several studies have outlined the relationship between smoking and cardiovascular disease. In particular, cigarette smoking is believed to directly cause 20% of heart disease deaths. However, there are very few studies examining the non-fatal effects of tobacco.

A recent study calculated the population-attributable fraction of tobacco-attributable CVD for two large WHO regions: the Western Pacific and South East Asian regions. This was done using data from the Asia Pacific Cohort Studies Collaboration. The findings indicate that the direct burden of smoking for CVD is higher in low-income countries.

Stroke

Several factors affect the risk of stroke. The most important is the clinical assessment. However, other factors such as gender, age, and financial status also have an effect. For instance, older individuals are more likely to have worse physical conditions. Moreover, smoking can predispose people to lacunar and small vessel ischemic stroke.

It is also known that the number of smoke people inhale may impact their risk. One study found that smoking at least 20 cigarettes per day was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and hemorrhagic stroke.

COPD

Several studies have shown that smoking is a significant risk factor for many diseases, including COPD. However, it is unclear how much damage is due to the number of cigarettes smoked per day versus the duration.

In one study, researchers investigated whether cigarette smoking was associated with lung disease. They isolated bronchial tissue from 43 patients with COPD. They found that these patients' lungs were inflamed and had increased levels of apoptotic alveolar epithelial cells. Using a rat model, they established that the presence of apoptotic lung tissue can lead to emphysema.

Diabetes

Whether you're a smoker or non-smoker, you should know that smoking increases your risk of several medical complications. Smoking also affects your body composition. It increases your chances of developing weight gain, respiratory infections, and foot ulcers. In addition to its negative impact on your physical health, smoking can significantly contribute to heart disease and diabetes.

Smoking is associated with increased mortality, especially in men. There is a lot of research on the link between smoking and diabetes. The latest findings suggest that cigarette smoke may increase your risk of glucose intolerance and other complications. It is unclear if this results from smoking's direct effect on glucose homeostasis or is caused by other factors.

Osteoporosis

Several studies have shown that cigarette smoking can lead to bone fractures. It can also increase the risk of heart disease and cancer. In addition, people who smoke tend to have less physical activity and have poor diets. It is essential to quit smoking to reduce the risk of bone fractures.

Several large-scale cohort studies have evaluated the relationship between smoking and osteoporosis. These studies have shown that smokers have lower bone mineral density than non-smokers. This is particularly true for women at greater risk for osteoporosis.

Cataracts

Several studies have shown that smokers have increased risks of developing cataracts. This condition is the leading cause of blindness in the world. Fortunately, there are effective treatment methods that can restore vision.

The risk of developing a cataract increases with age and frequency of smoking. It's important to note that both types of tobacco have been associated with the condition.

Smoking can interfere with blood flow to the retina. In addition, it destroys cells that keep your eyes healthy. This is because cigarettes contain chemicals called free radicals. These compounds travel to the eyes, where they damage cells and cause irritation.

Author Bio:

 

 Carmen Troy is a research-based content writer for Essays. Uk, Dissertation help services. They provide Best dissertation writing services Uk, Dissertation proposal writing Help and many more services to students of all levels, and their experts are all UK-qualified.  Mr Carmen holds a PhD degree in mass communication. He loves to express his views on various issues, including education, technology, and more.