HEALTH RISKS OF SMOKING OR SMOKELESS TOBACCO Many smokers come to depend on the positive effects of nicotine, such as boosting their mood, improving short-term memory and concentration, and producing a sense of well-being. There are many more reasons to quit using tobacco. Knowing the serious health risks may help motivate you to quit. When used over a long period, tobacco and related chemicals such as tar and nicotine can increase your risk of many health problems. Heart and blood vessel problems: Blood clots and aneurysms in the brain, which can lead to strokes Blood clots in the legs, which may travel to the lungs Coronary artery disease, including angina and heart attacks High blood pressure Poor blood supply to the legs Problems with erections because of decreased blood flow into the penis Cancer (especially in the lung, mouth, larynx, esophagus, bladder, kidney, pancreas, and cervix) Poor wound healing, especially after surgery Lung problems such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, or asthma that is harder to control Problems during pregnancy, such as babies born at low birth weight, premature labor, miscarriage, and cleft lip Other health risks or problems: Decreased ability to taste and smell Harm to sperm, which contributes to infertility Loss of sight due to an increased risk of macular degeneration Tooth and gum diseases Wrinkling of the skin Smokers who switch to smokeless tobacco instead of quitting tobacco completely still carry a number of health risks: Increased risk of mouth or nasal cancer Gum problems, tooth wear, and cavities Worsening high blood pressure and angina HEALTH RISKS OF SECONDHAND SMOKE Those who are regularly around the smoke of others (secondhand smoke) have a higher risk of: Heart attacks and heart disease Lung cancer Sudden and severe reactions, including those involving the eye, nose, throat, and lower respiratory tract Infants and children who are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke are at risk of: Asthma (children with asthma who live with a smoker are much more likely to visit the emergency room) Infections, including virus-caused upper respiratory infections, ear infections, and pneumonia Lung damage (poor lung function) Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) ........................................................................................................................................NOW About alcoholism > Symptoms: Alcohol affects the central nervous system as a depressant. This leads to a decrease in: Activity Anxiety Inhibitions Tension Even a few drinks can change behavior, slow motor skills, and decrease the ability to think clearly. Alcohol can impair concentration and judgment. Drinking a lot of alcohol can cause drunkenness (intoxication). Some of the symptoms of alcoholism include: Abdominal pain Confusion Drinking alone Episodes of violence with drinking Hostility when confronted about drinking Lack of control over drinking -- being unable to stop or reduce alcohol intake Making excuses to drink Nausea and vomiting Need for daily or regular alcohol use to function Neglecting to eat Not caring for physical appearance Numbness and tingling Secretive behavior to hide alcohol use Shaking in the morning Alcohol withdrawal develops because the brain adapts to the alcohol and cannot function well without the drug. Symptoms of withdrawal may include: Anxiety Confusion or seeing and hearing things that aren't there (hallucinations) Death (rarely) Increased blood pressure Loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting Psychosis Raised temperature Rapid heart rate Restlessness or nervousness Seizures Tremors ..............................................................................................TO STOP SMOKINg................................................. First and foremost, set a quit date and quit completely on that day. Before your quit date, you may begin reducing your cigarette use. But remember, there is no safe level of cigarette smoking. Identify the times you are most likely to smoke. For example, do you tend to smoke when feeling stressed or down? When out at night with friends? While drinking coffee or alcohol? When bored? While driving? Right after a meal or sex? During a work break? While watching TV or playing cards? When you are with other smokers? Let all of your friends, family, and co-worders know of your plan to stop smoking and your quit date. Just being aware that they know what you're going through can be helpful, especially when you are grumpy. Get rid of all your cigarettes just before the quit date, and clean out anything that smells like smoke, such as clothes and furniture. Make a plan about what you will do instead of smoking at those times when you are most likely to smoke. Be as specific as possible. For example, drink tea instead of coffee -- tea may not trigger the desire for a cigarette. Or, take a walk when feeling stressed. Remove ashtrays and cigarettes from the car. Place pretzels or hard candies there instead. Pretend-smoke with a straw. Find activities that focus your hands and mind, but are not taxing or fattening. Computer games, solitaire, knitting, sewing, and crossword puzzles may help. If you normally smoke after eating, find other ways to end a meal. Play a tape or CD, eat a piece of fruit, get up and make a phone call, or take a walk (a good distraction that also burns calories). Make other changes in your lifestyle. Change your daily schedule, particularly eating times, as much as possible. Eat at different times or eat several small meals instead of three large ones. Sit in a different chair or even a different room. Satisfy your oral habits by eating celery or other low-calorie snack, chewing sugarless gum, or sucking on a cinnamon stick. Go to public places and restaurants where smoking is prohibited or restricted. Eat regular meals and don't eat too much candy or sweet things. Get more exercise. Take walks or ride a bike. It helps relieve the urge to smoke. Set short-term quitting goals and reward yourself when you meet them. Every day, put the money you normally spend on cigarettes in a jar. Then buy something pleasurable after a period of time. Try not to think about all the days ahead you will need to avoid smoking. Take it one day at a time. Even one puff or one cigarette will make your desire for more cigarettes even stronger. However, it is normal to make mistakes. So even if you have one cigarette, you don't need to take the next one. ................................................................................................................................................... Three general steps are involved in treatment of Alcohol abuse once the disorder has been diagnosed: Intervention Detoxification Rehabilitation Source 1:Medical Inspiration-For doctors and Medical students: Health RISKS OF Smoking And Alcoholism Source 2:Cerebellum - function
Hi Waleed, Very informative post on smoking and alcoholism health risk and we must quit smoking and alcohol to lead healthy, happy and active life. They effect our stamina and may lead to depression and anxiety.
Smoking and drinking alcoholic products is very harmful for our health. These both activities destroys our main organs such as heart, liver, and lungs and leads to various diseases such as cancer, heart problems, liver, and lung diseases. We should try our best to avoid the smoking and drinking alcoholic products to live a healthy life.
Smoking and drinking alcoholic products is very harmful for our health.i hate the person smoking in front of me very much.
Most people know that smoking can cause lung cancer,but it can also cause many other cancers and illnesses.Smoking directly causes over 100,000 deaths in the U.K each year and contributes to many more.
Amazing post Waleed. Smoking and drinking alcohol are so dangerous for health and fitness.There are so many bad effects of both on physical as well as mental health.Smoking destroys lungs and cause of cancer.It is also produces coughing and depression.So quiet it as soon as possible.Drinking alcohol is no doubt dangerous for health.It badly effects kidneys.
Smoking causes wrinkles, narrowing the blood vessels in the skin's outer layer. This causes less blood flow, and reducing the amount of oxygen and nutrients can be obtained on the skin. Smoking can damage the connective tissue fibers, such as collagen and elastin, resulting in permanent wrinkles.
Hi Waleed, Great post and like to add we must quit smoking and alcohol as they may cause certain types of cancer. Smoking and alcohol effects your heart and can lead to stroke and other cardiovascular disease. Smoking and alcohol effects your stamina and may lead to depression or anxiety.
Good post, you covered it all. The ill-effects of smoking are well known and it is strictly recommended to completely quit smoking at the earliest. Alcohol, on the other hand, is fine if consumed in moderation. However, too much of is bound to cause health issues.
Cigarettes enclose more than 4000 chemical compounds and at least 400 toxic substances. Smoking hurts young people's physical fitness in terms of both recital and endurance—even among young people trained in competitive running.
