Smoking tobacco continues to be the largest preventable cause of death in the United States killing over 480,000 Americans every year. Smoking affects health in many ways. It can affect almost every organ in the body. We have compiled 10 effects smoking has on your health to help you understand the risks smoking brings to you and your health.
Nervous System
The nicotine found in tobacco affects your brain by giving it a short-term boost of energy. Once that energy wears off you start to crave it again, which is why tobacco and nicotine are extremely addictive and difficult to quit. When someone doesn’t replenish nicotine in the body, withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating are common.
Mental Health
Smoking tobacco is an addiction that is hard to overcome because of the properties of the nicotine. Your brain’s chemistry physically changes becoming dependent on the nicotine it gets when you smoke. Nicotine withdrawal can result in drastic mood swings, anxiety, and irritability.
Autoimmune disease
A smoking habit will negatively affect your immune system from properly protecting you from infections and diseases. Smoking has been linked to increased risk of autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and type 2 diabetes.
Weakened Bones
Tobacco smoking affects health by weakening your bones by promoting bone density loss which can progress to osteoporosis. Broken bones take longer to heal because smoking causes new bone growth to slow down the natural bone healing cycle.
Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular diseases can be some of the deadliest side effects of smoking damaging the heart and arteries. Strokes, heart attacks, and aneurysms are just a few serious cardiovascular problems you could run into.
Respiratory Disease
Your lungs and throat come into the most direct contact with the tobacco and tar breathed in when smoking. The respiratory system easily scares resulting in breathing problems. Some diseases associated with smoking are chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.
Tooth Decay
Smoking can cause your teeth to discolor into a yellowish or brown color. You will be more likely to suffer from more gum disease, ulcers, and cavities. Smoking will not only affect the outer layer of your teeth but will go so far as to promote unhealthy bone loss in your jaw.
Skin Problems
Smoking affects health by speeding up the process of aging causing a reduced flow of blood that robs the skin of necessary nutrients. Dry skin and early wrinkles in life are common side effects.
Impaired Vision
You may be surprised to learn that smoking can lead to loss of vision and conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and dry eye syndrome.
Cancer
Smoking has been linked to many different forms of cancer throughout the body such as lung, mouth, throat, esophageal, and many more. The more you smoke the more you are at risk of developing a form of cancer.
