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Smoking

Smoking is known as the process of inhaling and then exhaling the smoke produced by burning some plant materials. The smoking process is usually associated with tobacco products, and tobacco smoking comes in several forms, including; Cigarettes, cigars, and pipes, and it should be noted that smoking includes smoking other plant materials such as; Indian cannabis, also known as marijuana and hashish, According to the World Health Organization policy on smoking and tobacco use, any individual who smokes any tobacco product, whether on a daily basis or from time to time, is considered a smoker, and this includes a daily smoker who smokes at least once a day, and an occasional smoker. Who smokes intermittently and on a non-daily basis, and the tobacco user is known as the individual who uses any tobacco product, whether by smoking, sucking, chewing, or smelling it, and also according to the organization, it should be noted that tobacco use is the main cause of death in the world. Which can be avoided; As it kills about 5 million people annually, and according to the current trends of individuals, it is believed that 10 million people will die annually ((by 2020)) in developing countries only, as a result of diseases associated with the use of tobacco products, and in fact this number exceeds the total deaths resulting from Malaria Maternity conditions and injuries together.

smoking hazards

Smoking adversely affects the human body ; As it results in many negative effects that are harmful to the individual, some of them may lead to life-threatening complications, In fact, smoking harms almost all parts of the body; As it affects the respiratory system, the circulatory system, the reproductive system, the skin, and the eyes, and increases the risk of developing various types of cancer, it should be noted that smoking leads to addiction to the stimulant nicotine present in tobacco, and this What makes the process of quitting smoking a difficult task, and in fact, the negative effects of smoking do not affect the smoker only, as it harms the individuals around him who breathe smoke indirectly, so it is possible that they suffer from the same health problems that smokers are exposed to, just as women smokers During pregnancy They expose themselves to some pregnancy problems, and they make their children more likely to die from Sudden infant death syndrome.

Cigarette smoke contains approximately 7,000 chemicals in addition to nicotine , many of which are due to burning tobacco leaves, and some of these substances are chemically active and lead to profound and harmful changes in the human body, and it is worth noting that tobacco smoke contains more than 70 chemicals. It is known to cause cancer, and most individuals believe that smoking cigarettes that have a filter or a filter is safer than smoking cigarettes without a filter, but this is false information that is inconsistent with the results of health studies that show that a cigarette filter does not protect an individual From infection with diseases, because the filter does not prevent the entry of toxic chemicals into the body of the individual, but the smoker may feel that the filtered smoke is lighter and gentler in the throat.

The health effects of smoking

Cardiovascular system

There are many negative effects of smoking on the cardiovascular system as a result of the presence of some substances in it, and these negative changes resulting from this can collectively increase the likelihood of coronary heart disease, heart attacks , and cerebrovascular disease, and these changes can be explained as follows:

Smoking leads to the entry of toxins from the tar in cigarettes into the blood, which is a group of chemicals found in tobacco smoke, which leaves sticky and brownish residues on the lungs, teeth, and nails, and this results in increased blood density, Increase the chance of blood clots forming in the body, and blood vessel damage. Smoking increases the thickness of its walls and reduces its breadth inside, which results in an increase in heart rate and high blood pressure, and this in turn makes the heart work with more effort than normal, in addition to narrowing the arterial vessels, which results in a decrease in the amount of blood rich in oxygen. Link to different parts of the body,
Nicotine and carbon monoxide add to the stress on the heart, making it work faster.
Other chemicals in the smoke damage the lining of coronary arteries and change their appearance to fur.
Other effects: There are many other negative effects of smoking on the cardiovascular system, as they can be explained as follows:

Smoking increases the possibility of a stroke that occurs as a result of a clot in one of the blood vessels in the brain, which prevents blood flow to a part of the brain, or as a result of the explosion of a blood vessel inside or near the brain.

The possibility of developing blood clots that may prevent blood flow to the skin increases, and poor blood flow to the arms and feet, or worsening of this health condition known as peripheral vascular disease, which causes pain in the legs while walking, And open sores that are difficult to heal, and it should be noted that vascular surgeons perform surgeries in this case in order to improve blood flow, and that most of them require the patient to stop smoking in order to perform them; Where these processes often fail for those who continue to smoke.

Smoking doubles the risk of heart attack, as well as the risk of death from coronary heart disease compared to non-smokers.

But the good thing is that stopping smoking for a period of one year reduces the risk of these health problems in half, and stopping smoking for a period of 15 years leads to the same risk of developing these health problems between an individual who quit smoking with those who have never smoked throughout his life.

Respiratory system

Smoking damages the respiratory system. As it leads to the following:

Irritation of the trachea and larynx.
Higher risk of lung infection, coughing and wheezing.
Decreased lung function performance, shortness of breath and excess mucus, as a result of prolonged inflammation in the airways and lung tissues leading to scarring of the area, and changes in the nature and shape of the airways,
Damage to the small capillaries known as cilia, which clean the lungs from impurities, which results in the accumulation of toxins in cigarette smoke inside the lungs, and in this case the lungs become coated with tar, and these toxins can be transferred from the lungs to other body organs through the bloodstream,
The onset of an asthma attack or the worsening of the existing attack if the individual has asthma.
Lung cancer; Smoking is the real underlying cause of most lung cancer cases in the community.
Having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , which is a group of lung health problems, which are obstructed airflow and difficulty breathing, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease includes two main types, according to the National Heart Institute Lung and blood, most individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease suffer from both types. They are:

Emphysema is the occurrence of damage to the air sacs in the lungs, known as the alveoli. The cysts enlarge and lose their natural elasticity, resulting in collapsed alveoli and shortness of breath.
Chronic bronchitis is the occurrence of inflammation in the air passages responsible for the delivery of air to and from the lungs. Breathing, chest tightness, wheezing, fatigue.

Shortness of breath; According to information issued by the World Health Organization, adolescent smokers suffer from three times more shortness of breath than adolescent non-smokers, and teen smokers produce phlegm with more than twice the amount of phlegm than non-smokers.

immune system

Smoking affects the smoker's immune system in a negative way, by weakening the immune system, and increasing the risk of diseases, especially severe respiratory diseases that extend for somewhat long periods such as influenza infection and pneumonia, and smoking leads to low levels of antioxidants in the blood Which protects the body from diseases, and thus smoking exposes the individual to more other infections in the body.

Musculoskeletal system

The effect of smoking on bone and muscle health appears through the following:

Increased risk of osteoporosis: The osteoporosis weak bones that leads to fractures, and the smoking bones by weakening the following:

Reducing blood flow to bone and other body tissues.

Reducing the speed of production of osteoblasts, which are the cells responsible for forming bone.

Impairment of the body's ability to absorb calcium important for bone health.

Changing the level of hormones in the body, the most important of which is the estrogen needed to build and maintain a strong skeleton in both sexes.

Reducing body weight and the general health of the individual by sending nicotine nerve signals to the brain to reduce the amounts of food eaten, and this may lead to not getting adequate nutrition that the body needs.

Increased risk of injuries and diseases in the musculoskeletal system: This includes the suffering of smokers from a tear in the rotator cuff located in the shoulder with twice the size of the tear suffered by non-smokers, and this is due to the nature and quality of the tendons they have, and smokers are more susceptible to overuse injuries such as; Bursitis, tendinitis, and they are also more susceptible to traumatic injuries such as; Sprains and fractures. In fact, smoking is associated with an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis and lower back pain.
Impairment of the body's ability to heal fractures and wounds: The nicotine in smoke breaks down the protein chain of collagen faster than normal in non-smokers, and collagen is found in the skin and various connective tissues, the most important of which is; Muscles, bones, blood vessels, digestive system, and tendons. The weakness of collagen in the body results in delaying the regeneration of body tissues and increasing the time required for healing of fractures, tendons, and wound healing . In fact, this problem appears to be clear and dangerous when it comes to recovering from surgeries.

Impairment of the individual's ability to perform physical activity: Smoking leads to the delivery of less oxygen to the heart, lungs and various cells of the body, and this in turn reduces the level of physical endurance of the individual, weakens physical performance, increases the rate of injury and health complications, and in fact the effects of smoking can appear on Direct physical activity and after long periods of smoking.

disadvantages of smoking ban

the brain

The nicotine in cigarettes is highly addictive, and nicotine stimulates the brain to release dopamine in the body, which gives the individual a feeling of happiness, focus, and more energy, but this effect does not remain for a long time as a result of low levels of nicotine in the body, and the brain feels With the strong desire to get dopamine again, and the longer the person smokes, the greater the individual's need for dopamine to achieve the good feeling that was before, and in this case the individual is considered to be dependent on nicotine , In fact, it is difficult to get rid of an addiction to nicotine because it changes the internal structure of the brain. Where the brain manufactures additional quantities of nicotine receptors in order to be able to absorb the large doses of nicotine present in tobacco smoke, and in the event that the individual stops smoking, the brain does not get the nicotine he needs from it that it is accustomed to, and then the withdrawal symptoms of nicotine appear , which are anxiety and irritability Cravings for nicotine, tension, nervousness, and difficulty concentrating.

Digestive system and diabetes

There are many effects of smoking related to the digestive system and diabetes, which can be explained as follows:

Increased risk of stomach ulcers.
Weakening of the strength of the muscles that control the lower part of the esophagus, and this allows stomach acid to exit from the stomach into the esophagus, which is known as GERD .
Increase the size of an individual's abdomen and reduce their muscle mass compared to a non-smoker.
The risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases with the increase in the number of cigarettes consumed by the individual, as smokers are considered to be 30-40% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes compared to non-smokers, based on information received from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Diabetics are more likely to have problems with insulin doses, and smoking makes controlling diabetes and its symptoms difficult.
Predicting many health problems and dangerous complications of a patient with diabetes who smokes, including; Heart and kidney diseases, poor blood supply to the legs and feet, which may lead to infection and ulcers with the possibility of amputation, retinopathy that may lead to blindness, and peripheral neuropathy, which causes numbness, pain, weakness, and poor coordination in the extremities.

Reproductive system and fertility

Smoking negatively affects fertility in both women and men. This can be explained as follows:

Accelerating the rate of female egg loss for women due to cigarette smoke and the chemicals it contains, such as; Nicotine, cyanide, and carbon monoxide, which leads to menopause in a smoker one to four years before the normal time for menopause for non-smokers, because the death of the egg means its complete loss and the inability of the body to regenerate or replace it.

Women smokers have a higher risk of childbearing problems and pregnancy, in addition to many health complications that they face during pregnancy that may affect the child and the mother, including:

Ectopic pregnancy that threatens the life of the mother.
Detachment of the placenta and premature rupture of the membrane.
Heavy bleeding.
Premature birth.
Emergency cesarean delivery.
Miscarriage .
A stillbirth.
Children suffering from a cleft lip or palate.
Low birth weight of the baby.
Birth defects in fetuses.
Increased risk of birth defects and sudden infant death syndrome.

Reducing the quality of sperm for men, reducing their number, and impairing their motility, as well as increasing the number of abnormal spermatozoa, in addition to the possibility of weakening the ability of sperm to fertilize female eggs.
Impairment of the basic blood flow to the erection process in men, therefore, men who smoke are more likely to have impotence and erectile dysfunction the longer they smoke.

Skin and hair

It is noted that smokers are strongly affected by the trend of most inflammatory skin diseases compared to non-smokers, including acne , psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, cutaneous lupus erythematosus, and other conditions, and it is difficult to treat many skin problems in an effective way among smokers, The following is an explanation of the most important effects of smoking on the skin:

Smoking and skin aging : Smoking leads to early aging of the skin; Where it causes dry skin and a loss of the natural elasticity of the skin, which results in wrinkles and stretch marks, and the skin becomes dull and gray, and in fact this appears clearly when the individual reaches the early thirties of age, with the beginning of the appearance of wrinkles around the mouth and eyes, so that the individual appears older From his real age.
Smoking and infection : Smoking increases the likelihood of exposure and the severity of some types of infection, including; Bacterial wound infection, Candida albicans infection, especially oral, and viral infection, the most important of which is human papillomavirus, which includes genital warts, and it should be noted that a smoker who suffers from genital warts is more likely to have some types of cancers such as; Cervical cancer , vulvar intraepithelial carcinoma, vulval carcinoma, and penile intraepithelial carcinoma.
Smoking and wound healing : Smoking causes blood vessels to narrow, which delays the arrival of oxygen, nutrients, and factors that help treat wounds to the affected area, and this reduces the speed of wound healing, and the carbon monoxide present in the smoke enters the blood cells and reduces The level of oxygen required for the wound healing process in the bloodstream, and it should be noted the importance of stopping smoking at least three days before the surgical procedures; As this is the time required to eliminate carbon monoxide and restore the normal level of oxygen in the blood.
Smoking and hair : Smoking may make the hair and skin smell saturated with the bad smell of tobacco smoke, and it may contribute to hair loss and baldness.

Smoking and cancer

Cigarette smoking increases the risk of developing several types of cancer, including; Oral cancer, larynx cancer, throat cancer, esophageal cancer, kidney cancer, cervical cancer, liver cancer, acute myeloid leukemia, and colon cancer , in fact, cigarette smoking increases the risk of developing and dying of cancerous colon and rectal tumors. The likelihood of polyps forming in the colon and rectum increases, and it should be noted that performing surgeries to remove these polyps makes the individual more likely to recur. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smokers in general are more likely to develop lung cancer compared to non-smokers; As men are about 25 times more likely, while women are 25.7 times more likely, According to information issued by the American Cancer Society, smoking is one of the factors that increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer compared to non-smokers, and it is believed that 25% of lung cancers are caused by smoking cigarettes, and in fact the use of smokeless tobacco products or cigars increases the risk of cancer. Lung also, but if you stop smoking, the risk of lung cancer gradually decreases. And based on what was reported by the American Cancer Society, smoking is one of the most important factors that increase the risk of developing bladder cancer, at least three times the risk of developing bladder cancer, and it is estimated that it is the cause of half of cases of bladder cancer in women and men, According to information from the American Cancer Society, smoking doubles the risk of stomach cancer compared to non-smokers, specifically the upper part of the stomach close to the esophagus.

Vision

Smoking can lead to a range of eye health problems, including:

Dry eyes .
Glaucoma, or what is known as glaucoma , is a group of eye problems that are often caused by abnormally high eye pressure, and lead to damage to the optic nerve necessary to achieve good vision .
Diabetic retinopathy, which is a complication of diabetes that causes damage to the blood vessels of the eye-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye, known as the retina .

In addition to the above, smoking increases the risk of the following:

Cataract: It is a medical condition represented by the presence of a dark and cloudy area in the lens of the eye, and this problem appears gradually over time in the form of blurred, blurry, and less-colored vision, and this may lead to difficulty reading and difficulty doing daily activities.
Macular degeneration, which is related to age, Macular degeneration results from the deterioration of the health status of the central area of the retina known as the macula. In fact, the retina plays an important role in the process of recording the images that the individual sees and sending them to the brain via the optic nerve .

Mouth and teeth

Smokers suffer from oral and dental problems in a greater and clearer way compared to non-smokers, and among the most prominent of these problems are the following:

Mouth infections, and mouth ulcers.
Dental cavities, and tooth loss at a relatively young age.
Bad breath .
Oral cancer, Decreased ability of the individual to properly taste and smell things.
Teeth are stained yellow or brown.
Increased risk of tooth sensitivity, gum disease, and the difficulty of healing the affected gums for smokers.
Increased risk of gum disease, which is represented by bleeding when brushing, soft and swollen gums, loose teeth, and tooth sensitivity, and this risk is proportional to the number of cigarettes smoked by an individual.

The ears

Smoking is associated with many health problems related to the ears due to the presence of nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke, including:

Reducing oxygen levels in the blood and narrowing the blood vessels in the body, including the vessels in the inner ear that are necessary to maintain the health of capillary cells.
Increased rates of tinnitus compared to non-smokers.
You are more sensitive to loud noises and are more likely to have hearing loss .
Increased risk of ear infections in children and adults, because smoking weakens the immune system, and causes harm to the tissues of the nose and throat.
Interfering with the neurotransmitters located in the auditory nerve, and the importance of these transmitters lies in informing the brain of the sound that the individual hears.
Irritation of the Eustachian tube and inner lining of the middle ear.
Stimulating the release of free radicals that can damage DNA and cause disease.

Passive smoking

Parents are advised to work to keep the house a smoke-free environment, with the aim of protecting children and all family members from the danger of secondhand smoke, which is represented by non-smokers inhaling the smoke resulting from burning the materials in a cigarette, cigar or pipe, in addition to the smoke The smoke that the smoker exits, and this smoke is a real danger to the health of smokers and the people around it, especially children, and it should be noted that the nature of the harm resulting from secondhand smoke and the extent of its danger depend on the duration of exposure to secondhand smoke and the amount of smoke that was inhaled, and in fact, long-term exposure to it It increases the likelihood of suffering from breathing problems such as; Increased coughing, wheezing, asthma, and pneumonia, in addition to stroke, sinus cancer, lung cancer, and heart disease, In fact, secondhand smoke contributes to premature heart disease and deaths from lung cancer. As for individuals who suffer from high blood pressure or high cholesterol and are exposed to secondhand smoke, they are at high risk of developing heart disease.

Some individuals may suffer from health problems sometimes due to exposure to low levels of secondhand smoke. Where the body shows almost immediate reactions related to heart disease and stroke, including: Increased heart rate, decreased oxygen supply to the heart, and narrowed blood vessels, which leads to high blood pressure and strains the heart with more work. It should be noted that exposure of a pregnant woman to secondhand smoke affects the fetus and may lead to many serious health problems for the unborn child. As for children exposed to secondhand smoke, they often suffer from a more respiratory infection compared to non-exposed children. For secondhand smoke, This dangerous infection usually affects children's breathing, and secondhand smoke increases the risk of sudden death of the infant, and suffering from glue ear and other types of middle ear infections , and infection with meningococcal disease , in addition to increasing the possibility of coughing and common cold A cold, wheezing, and in fact a child who belongs to a family in which one parent is a smoker is seven times more likely to become a smoker in the future.

The financial effects of smoking on the family

The smoking habit puts an additional material cost on the family, and quitting smoking is the best and most appropriate way to preserve money, reduce debts, and save cash to spend it on other things more important than smoke, rather than paying large amounts of permanent smoking. In fact, quitting Smoking quickly saves a large sum of money, It should be noted that the cost of smoking is not limited to buying packs of daily cigarettes only, but also has the financial implications of health and life insurance, due to the high treatment costs of smoking-related diseases, in addition to To the negative effects of smoking on the health of the smoker's surrounding family.

Tips to quit smoking

Quitting smoking has many health benefits for the individual, and it reduces the risk of exposure to diseases and health problems, and among the most direct benefits of quitting smoking; Decreased heart rate and blood pressure, low carbon monoxide level and consequently high level of oxygen in the blood, improved blood circulation , reduced coughing and wheezing, and in fact the sooner an individual quits smoking, the greater the benefits he gets. Also, quitting Smoking helps recover some or all of the years that an individual would have expected to live naturally without smoking, depending on the age at which the individual quit smoking. Here is a set of tips to help you quit smoking:

Remember the benefits of quitting: including feeling better, being healthy, protecting loved ones and friends from secondhand smoke, and saving money.
Practice relaxation techniques: such as; Deep breathing exercises, muscle relaxation, yoga , visualization, massage, and listening to soothing music, with the aim of relieving stress.
Exercising: with the aim of distracting the individual from his strong desire to smoke and reducing his severity of his need for it.
Replacement therapy: some withdrawal symptoms appear as a result of smoking cessation, such as: Headaches, mood swings, a decrease in the level of energy and vitality of the individual, and a craving for tobacco. In fact, compensatory therapies that contain nicotine can be used in order to get rid of these problems and increase the likelihood of the success of the smoking cessation program, and these treatments come in the form of chewing gum, sucking tablets, And nicotine patches .
Use of medication pills: You can use medicinal tablets that reduce the individual's craving for smoking, and reduce the extent to which a cigarette satisfies the individual's need, and there are also drugs that help alleviate the withdrawal symptoms of nicotine, such as; Depression and lack of concentration.
Asking for help from close people: to support the process of quitting smoking, and to encourage it to continue towards the goal, in addition to the possibility of joining support groups or requesting professional advice.
Eating a good balanced diet: with the aim of providing the necessary energy to flush out toxins from the body, and the most important of these foods are fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains , and lean proteins, with the need to avoid eating fast food with high calories and low nutritional value.
Drinking plenty of fluids: To maintain normal body moisture, and to feel better in general, which helps control withdrawal symptoms of smoking, and expels the remnants of smoking toxins from the body more quickly.