Many people already know the bad side of smoking. However, many are still not able to quit. It is true that saying goodbye to a cigarette is not easy. Most people who try to stop smoking experience a lot of bad side effects. Smoker’s lungs are very different from the lungs of a non-smoker. According to some reports, almost half a million deaths in the United States are caused by smoking. Hence, the lungs are the most affected part of the body.
1. Non-smoker Lungs
Air we breathe in from the outside goes to the lungs. There is a pathway called the trachea that brings air into the lungs. Also, inside are are lots of tissues that expand as people breathe. The bronchioles have to bring clean air to the lungs. Additionally, it is the one that brings carbon dioxide out of the body. There are tiny hairs inside the filter dirt and dust. With the smoker’s lungs, some of these important functions are badly affected.
2. The Bad Side of Cigarette
The smoke that comes from a cigarette has a lot of harmful substances. All of these bad things can do damages the lungs. In addition, it can make the lungs produce more mucus than normal. As a result, smokers can develop chest cough and other illnesses like pneumonia. Other people with breathing problems can experience an attack.
3. Chemicals
The nicotine in a cigarette can damage the little hair called cilia. It can prevent these hairs from doing its job. Therefore, it cannot stop it and dust from going into the lungs. As a result, it can clog the lungs and lead to serious chest cough.
Moreover, harmful substances in a cigarette can change the natural structure of the lungs. Therefore, it can decrease the surface area in the lungs. A large area is needed to inhale clean air and push out carbon dioxide. Later on, smokers can develop an illness called emphysema. It is an illness that can bring difficulty in breathing.
3. Health of Smokers
Smoking cigarettes can bring a lot of short term health problems. Here are some:
- Inability to breathe
- Difficulty in doing physical activities
- Lung pain in the back
- Serious coughing
- Bad breath
- Body odor
- Yellow teeth
Furthermore, there are long-term bad effects on your health. It is also obvious that smokers can easily develop different types of lung cancer. Almost 90 percent of cases of lung cancer are due to heavy smoking. Aside from lung cancer, smokers can also develop other types of cancer, such as:
- Kidney
- Liver
- Bladder
- Pancreas
- Mouth
- Stomach
- Esophagus
It is not only cancer, but one can also get other illnesses. Tobacco in the body is very bad for health can increase the risk of:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Damage in arteries and blood vessels
4. Quit Smoking
If you are smoking for many years, it is not too late to stop. After a few days of not smoking, the cilia will again begin to function. After weeks and months, then these tiny hairs will completely heal. Lastly, it will decrease your chance of having deadly illnesses. It is not easy to stop smoking, but it is possible. If you decide you quit, you need to talk to a doctor. Also, you might need to consult a counselor and other support systems. It can increase the quality of life. You can stay away from lung pain in the back that stops you from enjoying your life.
You will not develop lung cancer and other related illnesses. Above all, there are lots of choices for you to help you stop smoking.
- Joining support groups
- Counseling
- Nicotine patches
- Exercises
- Staying away from stress
Important Note:
There is no specific way to stop smoking, so you can do several methods. It is good to combine two or more of these activities. However, you need to decrease the number of cigarettes every day. One cannot do it in just one day. Also, look for a sign of withdrawal. In addition, it is normal for people to quit a bad habit like smoking. Once you experience bad signs, you need to talk to your doctor right away. Doctors can give you helpful pieces of advice.
