Did you know that smoking is not only bad for your lungs, but it can also cause various other health problems? Smoking can increase your risk for cancer, heart disease, and other illnesses. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. If you’re a smoker or considering starting to smoke, it’s important to be aware of the health risks associated with smoking. Read on to learn some things about the health risks of smoking and how they can affect your life.
Tooth Loss and Gum Disease
Smokers are more likely to develop gum disease, an infection of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. Gum disease can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth, leading to bone loss and tooth loss.
In addition, smokers are also more likely to develop staining on their teeth and bad breath. In addition to causing these specific dental problems, smoking also decreases the healing response in the mouth, making it more difficult for wounds to heal and increasing the risk of infection.
If the teeth get too damaged, you might also have to replace them. Replacing the teeth can ensure seamless functioning. If your tooth is damaged due to smoking, you can opt for tooth replacement from a reputed dental clinic. This will help you in the long run as replacements from established clinics will remain for a long time.
Cancer
Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the United States, and it is estimated that cigarettes are responsible for more than 480,000 deaths yearly. Smoking increases your risk for cancer, including lung, throat, and mouth cancer.
Because of the many health risks associated with smoking, it is essential to quit as soon as possible. If you are a smoker, various resources are available to help you quit, including counseling and medication.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is a general term used to describe various conditions that affect the heart, including coronary heart disease, Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), and cardiomyopathy. Smokers are 2-4 times more likely to develop CHD than nonsmokers, and the risk increases with the number of cigarettes smoked daily.
Smoking also damages the lining of the arteries, making them less flexible and more prone to narrowing and blockages. This can lead to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. In addition, smoking contributes to high blood pressure and makes it more difficult for the heart to pump blood effectively. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your heart health, and various resources are available to help you quit.
Lung Disease
Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the United States, and those who smoke are at increased risk for various health problems, including lung disease. Cigarette smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, including arsenic, lead, and formaldehyde. These chemicals damage the lungs and airways, making it difficult to breathe.
Smokers are 15 to 30 times more likely to develop lung cancer than nonsmokers. And even people who don’t smoke but are exposed to secondhand smoke are at increased risk for lung cancer and other health problems.
Pregnancy Complications
Smoking is one of the leading causes of pregnancy complications. It increases the risk for many problems, including preterm birth, low birth weight, and placental abruption. In addition, smoking can impact the baby’s health after birth, increasing the risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Women who smoke during pregnancy are also more likely to have a miscarriage. Quitting smoking before or during pregnancy is one of the best things a woman can do to improve her chances of having a healthy baby. Various resources are available to help women quit smoking, and many insurance plans now cover smoking cessation treatments. Talk to your doctor about your options and make quitting smoking your top priority for a healthy pregnancy.
Vision Problems
Studies have shown that smokers are more likely to develop age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma. Smoking causes all sorts of problems for your eyesight. The chemicals in tobacco smoke can damage the eye’s delicate tissues, leading to inflammation and reduced blood flow.
This can cause some vision problems, including blurry vision, difficulty seeing at night, and even blindness. If you smoke, quitting is the best way to protect your vision. If you don’t smoke, avoid exposure to secondhand smoke to help reduce your risk of vision problems.
Overall, smoking is extremely detrimental to your health. Knowing how smoking can impact your health is important, not just the well-known ones. If you smoke, quitting is the best thing you can do for your health. Various resources are available to help you quit, and many insurance plans now cover smoking cessation treatments.
