Smoking is a very dangerous habit. It causes more than 50 major diseases. It is very injurious to the health of a person. It slowly damages the different organs of the body. It nearly harms every organ present in the body. The toxins present in the smoke are the major cause of producing this deadly effect on different organs. Smoking may cause temporary stimulation of the CNS, but on long-term use it causes you tiredness and lethargy.The following are the different effects of smoking on the organs of the body.
1. Lungs:
Lungs are the major organs of the body. It is responsible for the gaseous exchange in the body and providing oxygenated blood to all cells of the body. The smoking reduces the efficiency of the lungs as it damages the lungs. The different toxins of the smoke stick to the surface of the lungs. Hence, it impairs the gas exchange process. Due to this, the brain does not get enough oxygen to perform its function and the person feels tired and lethargic. Severe coughing can also result due to smoking. The persistent exposure to such toxins causes different structural changes of the lung tissues. This may result in an irreversible condition known as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Apart from this, lung cancer may also occur.
2. Cardiovascular System:
The cardiovascular system includes the heart and the blood vessels. Smoking causes hypertension and different cardiac diseases. According to a study, the heart beats faster after a few minutes of smoking to supply oxygen to different organs of the body. This puts strain on the heart muscles. Hence, it may result in myocardial infarction and stroke.
3. Immune system:
The immune system of the body gets impaired due to smoking. The immune system is important to protect a person from the infectious diseases. Due to smoking a person becomes susceptible to different mild to severe infections, mucosal lesions, influenza and other infections of the lungs.
4. Skin:
Smoking damages the skin and makes a person look aged. The different toxins present in the smoke makes the skin dull and grey. It causes cellulite formation.
5. Gastric system:
Smoking damages the mucosal lining of the stomach resulting in stomach ulcers and cancer. Smoking also increases the chances of development of GERD (Gastro esophageal reflux disease) and stains your teeth. It also impairs your sense of taste and makes your breath smell bad.
6. Kidney:
The people who smoke are at high risk of development of kidney cancer and different renal diseases.
7. Reproductive system:
Smoking impairs the blood circulation to the reproductive organ that is penis in men. This results in male impotency. Those men who smoke have lower sperm count as compared to the non-smokers.
In women, smoking causes the development of cervical cancer. It may also cause infertility. Different diseases of bones can also occur in such women.
So, after looking at all the effects of smoking on different organs of the body; you should try to quit this habit as soon as possible. You can join support groups or take help from different anti-smoking products. You should consult your doctor to help you in quitting. Quitting smoking is not difficult. It just requires will power of a person. You will feel your body to regain its energy and perform better once you have stopped smoking. The lungs will slowly start to exchange the gases in an optimum way and you will feel healthy and young.
You should ask your friends and family to help you in this matter. They can keep an eye on you and help you in quitting by providing you with moral support.
