The dangers of smoking to health

Many organs and body systems are affected by tobacco smoke, the pathophysiological consequences are innumerable and terrible danger.

A) Cardio-vascular

Tobacco is the cause of many heart disease, stroke and blood vessel diseases.

1) Ischemic heart disease (CHD)

Smoking causes more than half of the deaths of cardiovascular origin. Smoking is a risk aggravating factor for heart attack and sudden cardiac death, and smoking also increases the risk of relapse in people who have survived a heart attack.

2) Other cardiovascular diseases

Rapid heart beat and unstable blood pressure are often encountered. Smoking is a major cause of stroke (stroke). Smoking is the single most powerful plaque formation (atherosclerosis) in the arteries. This disorder – completed by vasoconstriction proximal and distal – has resulted in the development of arterial occlusive disease of the lower limb with leg pain, difficulty walking, gangrene and possible amputation.  The association of cause and effect between smoking and atherosclerosis is particularly evident in the abdominal aorta in the rupture of aortic aneurysms and aortic dissections.

B) Cancers

Smoking is responsible for more than 30% of all deaths caused by cancer. Smoking causes cancer of the lung, mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, pancreas, kidney, bladder and cervix. Recent discoveries establish a link between smoking and cancer of the large intestine and some forms of leukemia.  Most deaths due to lung cancer caused by smoking. For many years, lung cancer was the leading cause of death for men. Lung cancer is a very serious disease, the survival rate at five years is very low. The average life expectancy after diagnosis of lung cancer is eight months!  The relation of cause and effect between smoking and cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx and esophagus is established for years. Smokeless tobacco also causes cancer of the mouth.  Consumption of alcohol is an additional risk factor for these cancers, and the combination of alcohol and smoking result in a significantly increased risk.

C) Respiratory Disease

Each year, smoking is responsible for a significant number of deaths from respiratory diseases. On the other hand smoking is the cause of death and disability related to chronic pulmonary obstructive chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Smoking far exceeds other factors – air pollution and occupational exposure – which may also be responsible for this state.  Smoking has a harmful effect on the body’s immune system and other defense mechanisms. The risk of respiratory infection such as pneumonia and influenza is increased in smokers, when compared to non-smokers. Recent studies have concluded that smoking increases susceptibility to common cold.

D) The effects on pregnancy

Smoking has a direct effect on fetal growth. The more the mother smokes during her pregnancy, the lower the weight of the newborn. Smoking significantly increases the risk that the baby’s weight at birth is less than 2 500 grams. These newborns with low birth weight are more vulnerable to problems such as stillbirth, the need for special treatment in a neonatal intensive care and death in infancy. Smoking during pregnancy may also increase the risk of miscarriage. The sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) also occurs more often in babies of mothers who smoked during pregnancy. Smoking decreases the amount of breast milk and changes in quality. Women who smoke during pregnancy are other hazards on their own health, in addition to the fetus. Abnormalities of placenta and bleeding during pregnancy occurs more often in smokers, and a pregnant woman smokes, the greater the risks are considerable.

E) The gastrointestinal

The gastro-duodenal ulcers are more common in smokers than non-smokers. The explanation is that impairment of blood flow in the gastrointestinal mucosa douodénale and impaired protective mucus secreted at this level. When a smoker suffers from ulcers, healing is slower than a non-smoking and relapses are more likely to occur.

F) The effects stomatological

Smoking is an important factor affecting oral health, and contribute to oral cancer. The dental status of smokers is often bad – caries, fillings, tooth loss. In addition, smokers are more likely to suffer from severe gum disease (periodontal disease). It has also established a link between smoking and periodontal disease among young people.

G) Other effects

Several recent reports contain evidence of a link between smoking and, in turn predisposes to fractures. Smoking is associated with decreased bone density in the spine and hip in young as well as older people.
Recently, we established a link between smoking and sleep disturbance. It was found that both men and women who smoke have more difficulty falling asleep and have symptoms that suggest sleep fragmentation. Smoking causes a decrease in physical abilities. Smoking reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen and increases heart rate and basal metabolism, thus hindering the benefits of physical activity, including cardio-pulmonary endurance.

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