Smoking is a bad habit that is harming millions of people worldwide. It is commonly known to be the cause of lung disease, but not many know how much it harms the rest of the body. Smoking is linked with long-term effects that are risky and have the potential to progress to terminal illnesses. Smokers have a higher risk of developing serious medical conditions, which at first may not be obvious yet will evolve over time.
Both men and women smoke in Australia. The youth begin without being aware of the harm it might bring. Side effects of smoking not just harm you, but your loved ones and other individuals around you through secondhand smoking. It is therefore essential to be aware of the side effects of smoking and how it influences your well-being.
Here are 10 of the less well-known ill effects of cigarette smoking.
1. Smoking harms your eyes.
The majority of people know that smoking is not healthy for the lungs, but not that it is not healthy for the eyes either. Smoking increases the chances of macular degeneration, a disease that damages the center of the eye. Smokers get hazy vision with time, and in severe situations, lose sight entirely.
This is because cigarettes reduce the amount of blood flowing to the eyes and damage sensitive eye tissues. Inadequate circulation deprives the eyes of the appropriate amount of oxygen and nutrients, which leads to vision problems. One of the many reasons you should stop smoking is to maintain your eyesight.
2. It increases the risk of diabetes
Most individuals do not know that smoking is a causative agent of type 2 diabetes. Side effects of smoking include lowering the efficiency of insulin, leading to high sugar levels in the blood. High sugar levels in the blood are organ-damaging and lead to serious complications in the body.
Poor circulation is the largest diabetic complication. If the circulation is not good, the body cannot heal the sores. Smokers develop foot infections. In extreme situations, the foot or leg needs to be amputated (removed) by the doctors in order to preserve the person’s life. This is a serious smoking consequence that should not be ignored.
3. Weakening Men through Cigarette Smoking
Male smokers have erectile dysfunction. Smoking damages the vessels and reduces the flow of blood. It is difficult to get or maintain an erection when the flow of blood is blocked. It is an issue that is linked with self-confidence and relations.
It is not very well known to men that smoking cigarettes is one of the major issues that hinders sex performance. Fortunately, quitting cigarettes is also effective in stimulating the flow of the blood and treating this issue in the long run. It is one of the serious side effects of cigarette smoking regarding which men should be well aware.
5. It Weaks the Bones and Results in Fractures
Smoking lowers the amount of calcium in the body. Smokers lose bone density over time, and bones weaken and fracture. Smokers experience very frequent fractures of the hips. Fractured hips create immense pain and weakness, and hence one is not able to walk or even stand. Women have a greater risk of having weak bones because of smoking.
One of the less well-known facts is that smoking is a big issue when it comes to your own well-being. If you want to have healthy bones, then you should stop smoking and live a healthy lifestyle.
6. Smoking increases the risk of cancer.
Smoking is commonly known to be causative of lung cancer, and it is causative of other cancers too, i.e., colorectal cancer. It is an intestinal cancer and is one of the biggest causes of cancer death on the globe.
Cigarettes contain chemicals that will kill cells and increase the chances of having abnormal cell growth. Smokers get colorectal cancer and have less chance to live.
Here is the correct answer. One of the deadliest effects of smoking on the body is this. Staying away from cigarettes is the ultimate solution to escape the threat of cancer and have a healthier lifestyle.
7. It Can Cause Stiffness and Swelling of the Joints
Smoking is linked to rheumatoid arthritis, a debilitating disease that targets the joints. It leads to stiffness and pain, and swelling of the fingers and toes, and other parts of the body.
Rheumatoid arthritis is seen in women as compared to men, and smoking increases the risk of having it at an earlier age. Cigarettes weaken the immune system by using the chemicals in cigarettes, leaving the body susceptible to diseases attacking the joints.
One less common risky effect of cigarette smoking is this. Stopping smoking reduces the risk and allows you to enjoy an active, pain-free lifestyle.
8. Smoking Can Harm Your Baby
Pregnant smokers expose the baby to birth defects. Babies of smokers also stand a higher chance of having a cleft palate and a cleft lip. They are disorders where the baby’s mouth and lip do not develop normally. They impair the baby’s ability to breathe, speak, and eat which need correction through surgery.
It is one of the smoking side effects that last forever.
9. It decreases fertility
Smoking decreases men’s and women’s fertility. It reduces men’s sperm counts and weakens sperm cells, which makes it hard to conceive. Smoking is not healthy for the female reproductive system and decreases chances of becoming pregnant. Smoking partners may not be able to conceive.
Most people do not know this side effect of smoking cigarettes until it is time to conceive. This is yet another reason smoking is not healthy and why you should quit.
10. It leads to gum disease and tooth loss
Smoking is not healthy for your mouth. It exposes you to periodontitis, a severe gum infection that leads to tooth loss. Smokers develop gums that swell, have a smelly mouth odor, and gums that bleed.
Over time, the infection consumes the bone that holds teeth. This leads to loose teeth and, in the long term, tooth loss. Most people have no clue that smoking is one of the underlying factors of gum disease. This is yet another severe side effect of smoking that should be known.
Read about the history of Tobacco Smoking in Australia
Conclusion
The long-term consequence of smoking has catastrophic effects and leads to chronic diseases. Smoking is not unhealthy to lungs; smoking is unhealthy to the entire body. Smoking’s effects are blindness, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, infertility, and birth defects.
Smoking’s effect has the ability to kill one’s well-being and health. If you smoke, quitting is the best thing you might ever do to yourself and your loved ones. It is not too late to quit smoking and begin living healthier.
SSG4u invites everyone to be smoke-free and choose healthier alternatives for a brighter future.