Smoking and Health Problems

[Morgan Lamarra]

The list of diseases caused by smoking is never ending. Smokers are more likely to suffer from respiratory infections and many minor complaints like coughs and colds. Smokers are also more susceptible to diseases like cancer, heart disease, cardiovascular diseases, lung disease, respiratory problems and many other problems related to kidney, liver and pancreas.

Smokers are at a very high risk of developing cancer. Tobacco contains carcinogens which cause cancer of lungs, mouth, throat and gullet. Smoking and lung cancer are closely associated as smoking is responsible for 90% of lung cancers. Other types of cancers common to smokers are bladder cancer, pancreatic cancer, cancer of kidneys and esophagus cancer. Female smokers are highly susceptible to cervical cancer.

Diseases of heart, blood vessels of heart and blood vessels including arteries and veins are called cardiovascular diseases. Nicotine increases cholesterol levels in blood. This cholesterol and fats get deposited in the arteries and make them hard. Due to this the arteries become rigid, narrow or blocked. This leads to blood clots and increase in the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Smokers are generally susceptible to cardiovascular diseases like coronary thrombosis, cerebral thrombosis, coronary heart diseases, blockage in legs, and cerebrovascular disease like stroke.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease includes conditions which block airflow and cause difficulty in breathing. Smoking declines the lung function by three times the normal rate.

Smoking damages the lining of blood vessels and affects fat levels in the blood stream. This in turn increases the risk of atheroma, which is the main cause of heart disease, aneurysms and stroke. Smoking also affects oral health and causes staining of teeth and gums. It also leads to swollen gums, loose teeth and bad breath.

[Ngikhona]

I'm going to go ahead and close this since it doesn't have any question or anything and doesn't contain any sources.