Smoking
The second Wednesday of March is World No Smoking Day. When we talk or think about smoking there may be so many questions that arise. What is smoking and what happens when you smoke? Why is it so hyped, why is it said to be cool amongst teens and youngsters and why is it that a few ask for a ban on it?
Smoking is precisely the act of inhaling and exhaling the fumes of burning plant material. It is associated with tobacco. Tobacco is smoked in the form of cigarettes, cigars, bidi, hookah, shisha or pipe. Tobacco contains nicotine, which is addictive and may have stimulating or tranquillizing effects on the body.
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Most people start smoking to relieve stress as smoking gives a feel-good sensation that lasts for a short period, creating further craving to smoke again.
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Cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product. The essential component of a cigarette is a filter, a paper wrapping with tobacco and chemical additives. The user burns the tobacco inhaling the smoke. This exposes smokers to a vast variety of harmful chemicals that can be hazardous to their health.
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Nicotine in the cigarette is readily absorbed into the bloodstream. It stimulates the adrenal glands to release the hormone adrenaline, which increases blood pressure and heart rate. Nicotine also increases the levels of dopamine. This may create temporary feelings of pleasure and concentration. But this is short-lived, subsiding within minutes. This is similar to the effects of cocaine and heroin.
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According to CDC, smoking is the leading preventable cause of death. Nicotine has varied effects on the body:
·??????Cancers: Smoking increases the risk of cancers (mouth, oesophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, colon, rectum)
·??????Lungs: Smoking cigarettes or using vapes may reduce your lung capacity over time, causing diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
·??????Digestive system: Smoking may contribute to certain disorders of the digestive system, such as heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcers, and some liver diseases. It also increases the risk of Crohn's disease, colon polyps, and pancreatitis. Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest that is caused by the reflux of food or contents of food flowing from the stomach back to the oesophagus. Smoking may weaken the lower oesophageal sphincter (the muscle between the oesophagus and stomach). This muscle ideally keeps the contents from flowing back to the oesophagus. As the lower oesophageal sphincter weakens, stomach contents may reflux into the oesophagus, causing heartburn and possibly damaging the lining of the oesophagus. Hence people complaining of acidity and heartburn should avoid smoking as it can aggravate the complaints further.
·??????Heart: As mentioned earlier, it increases heart rate and blood pressure. Along with this, it also narrows the arteries, which increases the risk of a heart attack.
·??????Brain: It may increase the risk of psychiatric disorders
·??????Skin: Nicotine induces metalloproteinase that can break down collagen, thereby reducing skin elasticity. This causes premature ageing and wrinkles.
·??????Reproductive system: Smoking may lower semen volume and total sperm count. The good news is that smoking cessation might have a restorative effect on semen quality.
·??????Hair: Smoking may lead to hair loss by vasoconstriction, it can also damage the hair follicle
·??????Weight: Smoking can reduce appetite and increase metabolism. Hence when a person quits smoking, they may gain weight as their appetite returns.
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There are a few signs that one can notice in smokers:
·??????Nails and fingers may have a yellow stain due to repeated exposure to smoke and tar
·??????Moustaches may appear yellow in chronic smokers.
·??????Lips may have a bluish-black discolouration
·??????Teeth may show a brownish-black stain from the inside and may have a yellow discolouration from outside
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As Nicotine is addictive, people who want to quit smoking may have nicotine withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, lack of concentration, anxiety, restlessness, increased appetite, fatigue, insomnia, intense craving for tobacco, and headaches. The withdrawal symptoms may last two to four weeks as the body adjusts itself to being free of nicotine.
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How to quit smoking?
Giving up smoking needs a lot of dedication and motivation. There is Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) available now. It works by replacing some of the nicotine available in cigarettes so that one does not feel very uncomfortable. This nicotine is without the harmful chemicals that one may be exposed to while smoking. NRT is available in the form of patches, gums, and lozenges. Talk to your physician about when you plan to quit smoking.
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Bupropion and varenicline are certain FDA-approved non-nicotine medications that have helped people quit smoking. They help in easing withdrawal symptoms.
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Certain Homoeopathic medicines also may help in the withdrawal period, these are as follows:
???Tabaccum- It removes the craving for tobacco. It is normally prescribed in chronic smokers who have morning headaches with indigestion, palpitation and confusion.
???Arsenic album- It is one of the best remedies to antidote the effect of tobacco. The patient in the withdrawal state may have a lot of anxiety, restlessness and fear. They may have thirst for small quantities of water at small intervals.
???Nux Vomica- It is very effective when a patient is trying to quit smoking. Great depression, irritation and anxiety are noticed in such patients. These people may also experience constipation along with other symptoms. Symptoms may be worse with any mental exertion.
???Spigelia- This remedy is helpful in patients who have more heart complaints in the withdrawal stage like palpitation, pain and tightness in the chest, and difficulty in breathing.
???Lobelia inflata- This is one of the best remedies for patients craving tobacco but at the same time cannot tolerate the smell or taste of tobacco. These patients may have asthma-like symptoms that are worse from exertion but better by walking.
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These are just a few remedies, kindly consult your physician before starting any of these.
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When you decide to quit smoking, give your mouth something to chew on, like chewing gum, carrots, and nuts. Exercise regularly, go for walks, and try push-ups. Try deep breathing, yoga, listening to soothing music, drinking lots of water, eat healthy food, this helps in flushing out toxins and cell repair.
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Certain natural ways that may help you quit smoking are as below:
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Certain drinks like ginger honey lemon tea, green tea, turmeric and ginger drink, and masala chai are good as they have anti-inflammatory properties and boost immunity thereby helping in detoxifying the lungs.
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Non-smokers too may inhale toxins and other forms of tobacco through exposure to second-hand smoke. Hence smoking in public places was prohibited in India from 2 October 2008, anyone found disobeying or breaking the law, will be charged with a fine of rupees 5000. New Zealand has become the world's first country to ban smoking in 2022.
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Lately, there is a trend of e-cigarettes or vapes. These are equally harmful. Production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, and advertising of e-cigarettes is banned in India.
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It is commonly thought that smoking shisha and hookah can be less harmful than cigarettes, but the truth is that one shisha is equivalent to over 50 cigarettes. Similar is the case with cigars or pipes. These are no less harmful than smoking cigarettes.
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There is no safe smoking option, tobacco is always harmful. The only way to reduce harm is to quit smoking. Say No to Smoking!?