Are you a Smoker? Here are your Most Damaged Organs
Being healthy is not a destination, it's a journey. Adopting and maintaining healthy habits isn't that difficult as it may seem to be. At times, maintaining a good state of health means saying no to certain habits (and food items). That being said, not falling for the trap set by cigarettes improves your overall health. Cigarette smoking is more harmful that you can imagine. You'll be surprised to know that passive smoking is more harmful than active smoking. In passive smoking, non-smokers are involuntarily exposed to the smoke emitted by cigarettes and the smoke exhaled by the smoker(s). Indirectly, they inhale the smoke. This gets absorbed by their bodies which takes a toll on their health.
For smokers, insurance comes at a high premium. It means that if they want to enjoy insurance benefits, they have to pay an enhanced insurance premium as compared to non-smokers. This means that the side-effects of smoking affect both their physical as well as financial health.
Tobacco is responsible for the death of more than 7 million people annually. More than 6 million deaths are a result of direct exposure to tobacco and 0.89 million deaths are a result of being exposed to passive smoking. The sad part is, these deaths could have been prevented.
Still not convinced about the side effects of smoking on a human body? Read on to know how cigarettes affect various vital organs of a human body.
1.
Lungs
The
first
organ
affected
by
cigarettes
is
lungs.
It
is
where
the
inhaled
smoke
goes
into
the
alveoli
(sacs
filled
with
air)
and
breaks
their
thin
walls.
Smoking
affects
your
lungs
adversely
and
causes
3
common
diseases-
lung
cancer,
bronchitis,
and
emphysema.
Research
has
proven
that
more
than
80%
of
lung
cancer
cases
are
triggered
by
smoking
and
related
habits.
Cigarette smoke not only irritates and damages the cilia found in lungs, it also triggers an overproduction of mucous which later becomes uncontrolled due to hindered respiration. As a result, lung cilia turn hard and black. While it is an early indication of asthma and cancer, body processes can return to normal if the smoker quits smoking. The damaged lung tissue, though, can never recover.
2.
Liver
The
liver
is
affected
by
cigarette
smoke
which
results
in
an
increased
risk
of
developing
liver
cancer.
As
per
studies,
smoking
triggers
50
percent
cases
of
liver
cancer.
In
the
long
run,
smoking
turns
liver
tissue
into
scar
tissue.
3.
The
skin
The
skin
is
the
largest
organ
of
the
body.
And,
even
skin
gets
damaged
due
to
side-effects
of
smoking.
Smoking
damages
the
chemistry
of
the
skin
layers;
hence,
a
smoker
looks
older
as
compared
to
his/her
peers.
Smoking
is
responsible
for
toughening
of
the
skin,
fine
lines
and
wrinkles
on
the
face,
and
stretch
marks
on
the
body.
These
problems
are
caused
due
to
dying
suppleness
of
the
skin
due
to
smoking.
As a matter of fact, smokers are highly prone to developing skin cancer as compared to non-smokers. Smoking triggers other skin diseases such as psoriasis, skin warts, and poor wound healing. Our skin is the body's first layer of defense against the attack of bacteria and viruses. As per a study conducted in 2007, people who smoke a packet of cigarette every day over a period of 20 years have a double risk of developing psoriasis.
4.
Eyes
Smoking
drastically
affects
the
eyes.
As
a
result,
eyes
start
drooping
and
become
watery.
Additionally,
an
eye's
ability
to
perceive
objects
is
greatly
reduced.
In
addition,
cigarette
smoking
also
leads
to
some
conditions
related
to
loss
of
vision,
macular
degeneration,
glaucoma
and
various
eye-related
diseases.
Cigarette smoking exposes the eyes to a dual threat which is internal as well as external. When you smoke a cigarette, the smoke gathers into your eyes, and the exhaled smoke causes further irritation to the eyes. Additionally, smoking reduces the flow of blood to the eyes, which further disables antioxidants from reaching the optic nerve.
Reproductive Organs
Smoking is directly linked to deterioration of reproductive health in both males as well as females. The severity of damage is higher in female smokers as compared to male smokers. Here is how smoking affects a smoker's reproductive organs:
1.
The
Uterus
Ladies,
if
you
smoke
cigarettes,
it
affects
you
more
than
you
can
imagine.
Smoking
takes
a
toll
on
your
reproductive
health,
and
it
can
trigger
infertility-related
problems.
Smoking
increases
the
risk
of
ectopic
pregnancy.
Multiple
types
of
research
conducted
over
many
years
show
that
smoking
can
lead
to
miscarriages.
Smoking
poses
a
risk
to
the
unborn
child
as
it
can
lead
to
physical
as
well
as
mental
deformities
in
the
foetus.
2.
Penis
Smoking
adversely
affects
the
male
reproductive
organ
by
decreasing
the
ability
to
attain
an
erection.
Additionally,
it
leads
to
erectile
dysfunction
and
premature
ejaculation.
Nicotine
found
in
tobacco
is
responsible
for
erectile
dysfunction
and
decrease
in
the
sperm
count.
As
per
studies,
after
quitting
smoking,
male
smokers
are
able
to
attain
quicker
and
firmer
erections.
Summing
it
up!!!
Smoking
is
the
root
cause
of
many
problems.
While
quitting
smoking
is
hard,
it
is
possible.
It
takes
willpower,
patience
and
self-control
to
set
yourself
free
from
the
tight
clutches
of
this
vice.
Once
you
quit
smoking,
your
body
and
mind
will
thank
you.
You
will
see
visible
changes
in
your
body,
and
your
health
will
gradually
improve.
If
you
want
to
have
a
good
sex
life,
and
more
importantly,
a
good
life,
quit
being
a
slave
to
smoking.