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Several teenagers and even adults have this false perception of alcohol and smoking, they consider these are some sort of privileges and they will be “cool” if they smoke or drink. Today’s media portrayal about smoking and drinking sure does lead to this. When it comes to smoking and drinking there is a lot of misinformation and false perception rather than proper awareness. It is high time to break these and get educated about the effects of smoking and drinking on the human body.
Smoking can cause diseases such as:
1. Lung cancer:
Well, this is something that we have been hearing and even seeing everywhere that smoking causes lung cancer. Even the carton of some cigar boxes says that it causes lung cancer. The excessive smoke that the smokers inhale will disrupt the lungs and causes several dysfunctions including cancers.
2. Heart attack:
The toxins from smoking reach the heart and lead to heart attack and stroke over time.
3.Cancers in blood, kidney, pancreas, bladder, throat, mouth, and uterus
Smoking along with lung cancer causes several other cancers such as blood cancer, kidney cancer, pancreas cancer, bladder cancer, throat cancer, mouth cancer, and even uterus cancer.
4.Damages the air sacs of the lungs leading to chronic bronchitis and difficulties in breathing
As we discussed earlier the inhaled toxic filled smoke damages the air sacs of the lungs causing several long-term lung diseases such as difficulties in breathing and chronic bronchitis.
5. Increases the blood pressure:
The nicotine in cigarettes and other tobacco-related products makes the blood vessels shrink and heartbeat faster than usual, which in turn increases the blood pressure. If the person quits smoking and consuming tobacco products, it can lower their blood pressure and the risk for heart disease and heart attack.
6. Increase in the levels of cholesterol:
As quoted by Dr. Newby “Smoking creates an environment in the bloodstream that leads to a destructive breakdown [of cholesterol], making LDL even more toxic to blood vessels, increasing deposits of plaque in the arteries, and increasing inflammation”.
7. Reduces bone density:
Smoking affects the ability of the body to absorb calcium, eventually leading to lower bone density and weaker bones. Nicotine slows down the production of the bone-forming cells which are so important for healing. Smoking seems to break down estrogen, which is a key ingredient to building and managing a healthy skeleton
8. Coronary artery diseases:
The inhaled smoke travels through the arteries interrupts the normal system and causes several coronary artery diseases.
9. Infertility:
Infertility is one of the most common effects observed in male smokers.
They suffer from decreased sperm quality with lower counts (numbers of sperm) and motility (sperm’s ability to move) and increased numbers of abnormally shaped sperm. Smoking might also decrease the sperm’s ability to fertilize eggs.
Some other effects of smoking on the human body are:
Preterm delivery
Stillbirth
Sudden infant death syndrome
Effects of alcohol on the human body:
Many people have the habit o drinking a drink or two, be it wine, beer, or spirits. Light drinking is acceptable at some levels as it can be beneficial for the human heart. However, heavy and binge drinking can be extremely harmful and may lead to serious medical conditions over time. Drinking more than 7 drinks per week is considered excessive for women and, for men, this number extends up to 15 drinks per week.
As per the researches, the healthy limit for drinking is not more than 2 drinks a day for men and not more than one for women.
Certain groups of people should not consume alcohol at any cost. These include people below the age of 18 or 21 according to the rules of the country, people with certain medical conditions, pregnant and breastfeeding women.
There are numerous effects of alcohol on the human body, some of them are:
A. Shrinking of the brain:
Long-term alcohol exposure can eventually reduce the size of the human brain. It shrinks the frontal lobes of the human brain.
B. Changes in the behavior:
Alcohol can change the typical behavior of human beings. It makes them lose their common sense and the ability to make decisions.
C. Slurred speech:
It is one of the first occurring symptoms of excessive alcohol consumption.
D. Frequent diarrhea:
Alcohol consumption can extremely damage the small intestines and lead to excessive and frequent diarrhea.
E. Infertility and sexual dysfunction:
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol regularly can cause infertility along with infertility the person who is alcoholic can experience sexual dysfunctions.
F. Numbness and muscle cramps:
A person who consumes excessive alcohol can experience frequent muscle cramps and numbness in the limbs.
Do you know that there is a connection between alcohol and tobacco? According to the statistics and observations from Duke University Medical Center:
Alcoholics tend to smoke more when compared to non-alcoholics
People smoke more in places where alcohol is present
Smokers are more likely to be binge drink than non-smokers
Conclusion:
Because of the mortality and morbidity connected with both tobacco and alcohol abuse, it is very important to address both addictions. Research is beginning to explain some of the reasons behind the frequent usage of tobacco and alcohol. There are several pieces of research being done on how to reduce rather quit the usage of alcohol and tobacco. Although there is to be done a lot of work, consulting with experts doctors nd taking their advice will help a lot to overcome this habit.
