One major cause of millions of deaths
across the globe is smoking. Each year, more than 8 million people are killed due to
tobacco use. Out of which approximately 1.2 million individuals are non-smokers
being exposed to second-hand smoke (aka passive smokers).
The five-minute pleasure and “hit”
causes major health issues down the line. Tobacco smoking is responsible for
about 90% of all lung cancer deaths. It is also responsible for about 80% of
all deaths caused due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Reading these facts, the question at
hand is; Is smoking worth it?
The answer will always be no!
Damage
due to smoking:
Starting with the mouth and throat,
bad breath and stained teeth are the byproducts of smoking. It also causes
major gum diseases and gives the lips and gums a faint blackish tint. Smoking
is responsible for major damage to your mouth and throat, it increases the risk
of cancer in your lips, throat, voice box, gullet and even tongue.
If these facts make you to quit
smoking, then we have some good news. Once you quit smoking, you greatly reduce
your chance of developing neck and head cancer. If you think that only certain
areas of your body will be affected by smoking, then you are in for a shock:
As for your lungs, those two are
affected the most. Regular smokers are prone to colds, coughs, bad throats and
asthma, and these are just the start to a long path of pain and suffering.
Pneumonia, emphysema and lung cancer are just some of the return gifts smoking
gives you. Studies have proven that smoking damages your airways and alveoli in
your lungs, which in-turn causes severe lung diseases.
One lung disease that smoking causes
is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This disease includes
emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Cigarette’s take credit for causing most
cases of lung cancer. Individuals who already have asthma are at a severe risk
of an attack if they passively, or directly inhale tobacco smoke.
If you choose to continue to smoke
tobacco, it will greatly impact your health and quality of life. Even though
the temptations grow by the passing minute, high determination and a strong
will can save you from both physical and mental agony.
Vaping
E-cigarettes – also known as vapes,
vape pens, mods and e-hookahs are considered a better alternative to the
typical tobacco cigarettes. These vape pens work by heating a liquid, which
produces an aerosol that users inhale. These liquids contain; THC
(tetrahydrocannabinol), nicotine, CBD (cannabinoid) oils, and other addictive
substances. The applications and flavors available is all together a different
story.
As of today, the specific chemical
exposures in these vapes, causing lungs diseases and injuries remains
unidentified and unknown. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) has reported nearly 800 lung injuries associated with
e-cigarettes. According to one of WebMD’s articles, “Lung injuries
from vaping probably result from tissue damage caused by noxious chemical
fumes, rather than from organic compounds in the lungs, data suggest.”
According to Dr. Brandon Larsen, a
surgical pathologist at Mayo Clinic Arizona, and a national expert in lung
pathology, "While we can't discount the potential role of lipids, we have
not seen anything to suggest this is a problem caused by lipid accumulation in
the lungs. Instead, it seems to be direct chemical injury, similar to what one
might see with exposures to toxic chemical fumes, poisonous gases and toxic
agents.” Out of 17 documented cases, 11 met the criteria for a “confirmed”
diagnosis of vaping-related lung injury; the remaining six met the criteria for
a “probable” designation.
According to his team’s research, “In
all cases, histopathological findings showed patterns of acute lung injury,
including acute fibrinous pneumonitis, diffuse alveolar damage, or organizing
pneumonia, usually bronchiolocentric and accompanied by bronchiolitis.” Also,” Macrophages
and pneumocyte vacuolization were seen in all cases and may be useful
diagnostic clues in an appropriate clinical context.”
Even though there isn’t any
definitive answer as to how and why “vaping” causes these lung injuries, when
it is a way to reducing the number of normal cigarettes. It is safe to say that
vaping will do you no good and that it has no possible health benefits.
Conclusion
Smoking poses a great treat to not
only your respiratory system but the entirety of your body. It is responsible
for many variations of cancer and causes millions of deaths annually. On a same
note, e-cigarettes are no alternative to smoking. It causes the lungs to swell
up due to all the excess vapor one inhales via specialized vape pens.
Turacoz
Healthcare Solution, a medical communication company believes that with a bit
of determination and a strong will power you can quit smoking. We believe that
you don’t require an alternative for smoking, such as vaping. Turacoz urges
people to quit smoking and vaping, and to be more physically active and
vigilant and should take care of their body.
Even though the “hit” can sometimes
help reduce stress, it is not a proper way to relief tension and stress. We
strongly advise you to talk to someone, preferably to your friends and
families, in times of need and desperation.
Quit Smoking Today to save your
Tomorrow!
