SMOKING A CIGARETT KILLS

How Cigarettes Harm Us - From Head to Toe
Tobacco use plays a role in many diseases which ultimately lead to death or disability. With over 4000 chemical compounds present in the inhaled smoke, several of which are known carcinogens, it's no wonder that the effects of smoking are so destructive.

What are the two big diseases you think of being related to smoking? Chances are they are lung cancer and emphysema, neither of which is the number one killer of smokers. Heart disease holds first place. Researchers report that worldwide, there were 1,690,000 premature deaths from cardiovascular disease among smokers in the year 2000. In contrast, there were “only” 850,000 lung cancer deaths from smoking in the same year.

The effects of smoking hold additional risks for women. Those who smoke throughout their pregnancies increase the risk of:

* Spontaneous abortion/miscarriage
* Ectopic pregnancy
* Abruptio placentae
* Placenta previa
* Premature rupture of the membranes
* Premature birth

Risks to the fetus include:

* Smaller infant(for gestational age)
* Stillborn infant
* Birth defects, e.g.
* Smell and staining

Brain and Mental Effects:

* Stroke(cerebrovascular accidents)
* Addiction/withdrawal
* Altered brain chemistry
* Anxiety about harm caused by smoking

Eyes:

* Eyes sting, water and blink more
* Blindness(macular degeneration)
* Cataracts

Nose:

* Less sense of smell

Thyroid

* Graves Disease
* Thyroid Disease

Posted by akkigoel at 10:59 AM 0 comments

Tips on how to quit; Smoking cessation

Below, some tips to help you quit smoking are listed. First and foremost, set a quit date and quit COMPLETELY on that day. To prepare for that day:

* Identify the times you are most likely to smoke. For example, do you tend to smoke when feeling stressed? When you are out at night with friends? While you are drinking coffee? When you are bored? While you are driving?

* Keep a diary to help you determine such risky times. Record each time you have a cigarette, including time of day and what you are doing.

* Make a plan about what you will do instead of smoking at those times that you are most
likely to smoke. For example, drink tea instead of coffee -- tea may not trigger the desire for a cigarette. Or, take a walk when feeling stressed. Remove ashtrays and cigarettes from the car. Place pretzels or hard candies there instead. Pretend-smoke with a straw.

* Let all of your friends, family, and co-workers know of your plan to stop smoking and your quit date. Just being aware that they know can be a helpful reminder and motivator.

* Prior to your quit date, start reducing your cigarette use, including decreasing the number and strength of the cigarettes. However, DON'T do this simply to make your diary "look good!" Get rid of all of your cigarettes just prior to the quit date and clean out anything that smells like smoke, such as clothes and furniture.

Other tips that can help you quit and stay quit include:


* Enroll in a smoking cessation program (hospitals, health departments, community centers, and work sites frequently offer programs).

* Ask your health care provider for advice, including whether prescription medications (such as bupropion -- Zyban or Wellbutrin) are safe and appropriate for you.

* Find out about nicotine patches, gum, and sprays.

* Try hypnosis -- it works for some people.

* Avoid smoke-filled settings and situations in which you are more likely to smoke.

* Exercise to relieve urges to smoke.