Smoking Damage
The results of smoking damage are too horrible to ignore. With the multitude of diseases that are related to smoking, we can surmise that it causes a lot of damage to our bodies.Studies show that smoking does a lot of damage to the respiratory system. Around 97% of lung cancer cases in the United States are caused by smoking. Exposure to common substances in smoke like carbon monoxide and cyanide causes emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Smoking more than 20 cigarettes a day poses 2 to 4 times increased risk of acquiring tuberculosis. Secondhand smoke increases the lung cancer risk of nonsmokers by 20 to 30%. It has been estimated that 3,400 people die from lung cancer caused by secondhand smoke.
Smoking can damage the cardiovascular system as well. A smoker is 5 times more likely to suffer a heart attack. Secondhand smoke increases the heart disease risk of nonsmokers by 25 to 30%. Other smoking-related diseases are atherosclerosis, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.
The gastrointestinal system can be damaged by smoking. Cancers of the oral cavity, esophagus, and larynx are also related to smoking. Periodontitis, teeth stains, halitosis or bad breath, and leukoplakia are also attributed to smoking.
The immune system suffers as well. A smoker has increased risk of acquiring infections like common colds, bronchitis, and other pulmonary and respiratory infections.
Damage to the reproductive system usually manifests by increased risk of miscarriages among smoking pregnant women. An infant prenatally exposed to secondhand smoke usually suffers from sudden infant death syndrome, low birth weight, and small for gestational age.
Smoking causes grave damage to our health. Damage that can be as grave as death! Today, smoking is known as the second major cause of death in world! It causes 58.8 million deaths worldwide!
Why don’t you stop from damaging your body and the bodies of other people? Quit smoking. Stop the damage that smoking has done!
Click here for more information on smoking damage.