How would you feel if a dirty, smelly piece of cloth was smothering your face, not even allowing you to breathe? The grimace on your face says it all. Well, if you are a smoker, this is what you are doing to your body, and what’s more, you are throwing in toxic substances too.
You have heard how lung cancer, heart ailments and even high blood pressure slowly kill you. But there are more destructive effects of smoking. Hopefully the facts below will help you steal yourself back and give up this evil habit forever.
Not so common facts of smoking:
If you are a smoker, the foul breath says it all. Oral cancer is a serious problem. Tobacco stains, increased chances of periodontal disease, lowered chances of successful dental implants and slow healing after dental surgery are other complications.
Smoking directly affects your mental abilities. In your twilight years, this cerebral deterioration is up to five times faster if you are a smoker, increasing chances of dementia or Alzheimer’s.
In younger women who smoke, fertility issues manifest, while pregnant women are at a greater risk of giving birth to premature babies and/or having complications during pregnancy. Post-menopausal women are likely to complain of weakening of bones further aggravated by smoking habits, even resulting in hip fractures.
In men, erectile dysfunction is a common side effect. A study revealed that more than 60% of Chinese smokers who lit up more than a pack a day complained of impotence.
The chances of developing Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the tissues of the body causing pain, inflammation and damage, increases with smoking.
Apart from these, higher chances of developing respiratory infections, gum disease, macular degeneration leading to blindness, cataract, different cancers, common infections, heartburn, depression and even thyroid complications have been attributed to the toxic sticks you burn.
So the next time you light up, remind yourself of the battering your body is taking and kick the habit. For your own good and that of your loved ones.
