Cigarettes are the biggest cause of preventable deaths in the United States. Over 480,000 Americans die from cigarette smoke every year.
Even people that don’t die from smoking cigarettes often suffer a number of serious ailments. Cigarette smokers tend to have a lower quality of life, since nicotine, tobacco and other chemicals have detrimental impacts on their health. This is why some people are moving towards tobacco free pouches instead.
What Are The Biggest Health Problems Associated With Cigarettes?
Cigarettes can harm your body in countless ways. Some of the biggest health concerns are listed below.
Cardiovascular Disease
Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for heart disease. Smoking tobacco regularly increases the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease by 25-30%.
Why is smoking correlated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease? Smoking causes damage to the blood vessels. It can cause them to become narrower, which makes it more difficult for blood to flow. This increases blood pressure and forces the heart to work harder to pump blood through the body.
Higher Risk Of Stroke
The damage to your blood vessels doesn’t just increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. It also makes it more likely that you will have a stroke.
As your blood vessels become narrower, it may become nearly impossible for blood to flow at all. Blood may accumulate and turn into a more viscous form, which creates an obstruction. When this clot prevents blood from flowing to the brain, you are likely to suffer from a stroke.
Cancer Risks
Smoking is obviously linked with a higher risk of developing cancer. Approximately 30% of all cancer deaths are due to smoking.
Smokers have a very high risk of getting lung cancer. Around 80% of all lung cancer diagnoses are related to smoking.
However, smokers are also likely to develop other types of cancer. Mouth, larynx, pharynx and esophagus cancer are also strongly linked with smoking. Smokers are also more likely to develop kidney, liver, bladder, cervix, pancreas, colon and even stomach cancers.
Although all forms of tobacco increase the risk of developing cancer, cigarette smoke is the worst. Smokers ingest higher levels of tobacco then those that use chew, so they are more likely to develop cancer.
Oral Health Concerns
Oral health problems are also associated with cigarette smoke. Although they don’t get as much attention as cancer and other tobacco health problems, the risk is still significant. Some common oral health problems include:
- One of the most frequently discussed oral health problems associated with smoking is yellow teeth. Nicotine and tar tint the enamel and cause discoloration.
- Mouth cancer is another serious concern. Around 90% of oral cancer patients are tobacco users.
- Smoking is also correlated with tooth loss and decay. Smoking can prevent the absorption of calcium, which weakens teeth and bones. It also causes gum inflammation. These factors contribute to tooth loss for long-term smokers.
Oral health problems are a major concern for smokers. The risks worsen over time, especially for heavy tobacco users.
Vision Problems
Smoking also adversely affects your vision. Smokers are more likely to develop dry eyes. Dry eyes may feel scratchy or irritated. Cataracts are also a lot more common with smokers, which can cause permanent blurry vision and require surgery.
Age related macular degeneration is also a greater risk with smokers. Smokers with diabetes are also more likely to develop diabetic retinopathy, which may require surgery or medication.
Respiratory Diseases
Smoking is also a significant risk factor for numerous respiratory diseases. Smokers are more likely to develop emphysema, COPD and chronic bronchitis. Of course, lung cancer is also highly prevalent among smokers. Smokers with asthma are also more likely to suffer asthma attacks.
Mental Health Issues
Smokers are also prone to develop a number of mental health problems. Tobacco often leads to insomnia, because nicotine is a stimulus. Since smokers are more likely to have difficulty falling asleep, they are more likely to develop a number of mental health problems that are connected to sleep deprivation.
Nicotine from cigarettes can also cause anxiety and depression. It is a common misconception that cigarettes alleviate symptoms of anxiety. The reality is that nicotine alters your brain chemistry in negative ways, which tends to make anxiety and depression worse.
Cigarettes Cause A Number Of Health Concerns
Cigarettes are incredibly harmful. The preceding list is just a sample of some of the health problems that they cause. You will have an easier time leading a healthy life if you quit smoking as soon as possible.
