Tobacco products are seriously dangerous to your health. Based on the American Lung Association, the cigarettes contain about 600 ingredients. It produces more than 7000 chemicals, which could badly put you into various clinical risks.
You may have lots of reasons why you smoke. The thing is when you are hooked to it is so difficult to quit. No matter how your peers and loved ones begged you to quit, you can’t just resist smoking. Some may though that smoking only affects the lungs. However, it actually affects all the system in your body. Whether you are a smoker who is looking for a motivation to quit or a non-smoker who wanted to discover more about smoking, you should be aware of its terrifying effects on your health.
The cigarette contains nicotine, which is a potent parasympathomimetic stimulant. When you ingest nicotine, you will feel more alert. However, its effect is just temporary. When the effect is gone, you will feel more tired, making you smoke more. Since it can impair the senses in your body, foods may taste differently and your eyes may be blurry. In addition, as nicotine is a mood-altering drug, it can impair your cognitive and behavioral functions. Those who are starting to quit may experience withdrawal symptoms such as depression and anxiety.
The substances found on the cigarette could directly damage your respiratory system. As times go by, the harmful substances will accumulate in your lungs. Making you prone to infections and respiratory such as bronchitis, emphysema, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Moving on, smoking can bring threatening effects to your cardiovascular system. Nicotine lowers down good cholesterol and it raises the blood pressure. It also increases the risk of forming clots thereby increasing the risk of stroke.
For the integumentary system which includes your skin, hair, and nails, the tobacco toxins can actually lead to skin discoloration, premature aging, and wrinkles. With prolonged use, it can stain your teeth, hands, and nails.
With the digestive system, smoking may lead to oral health problems such as tooth decay and bad breath. Furthermore, smoking increases the risk for oral inflammation and infection such as gingivitis or periodontitis. It can also decrease your appetite. In serious conditions, it could cause oral and gastric cancer.
