Smoking and its effects
Smoking is a leading cause of cancer and death from cancer. It causes cancers of the mouth, lung, larynx, esophagus, throat, kidney, liver, stomach, bladder, pancreas,colon,cervix, rectum and acute myeloid leukemia.
According to WHO,tobacco is the single most preventable cause of death in the world.
Lung diseases caused by smoking include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which includes Chronic Bronchitis & Emphysema. It is responsible for most cases of lung cancer. In asthmatics, it can trigger an attack or makes it worse. Smokers are more likely to die from COPD than nonsmokers. Smokers have difficult breathing because smoking damages the lungs. Smoking causes approx. 84% of deaths from lung cancer and 83% of deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Each cigarette causes damage to DNA in multiple lung cells, but it is the repeated damage in the same cell that can lead to cancer.
Nicotine enters the bloodstream and affects brain chemicals, enhancing energy levels and causing a reduction in stress.This looks as a beneficial effect of smoking, but its short lived. Nicotine act as an appetite suppressant and may help to reduce Obesity, which is considered to be a" Global Epidemic". It also reduces the risk of Parkinsonism. In females, it reduces Dysmenorrhoea( painful Menstruation).
It is estimated that lifetime risk of lung cancer in heavy smoker is about 30% overall, whereas it is 1% or even less in nonsmokers.
Consider "QUIT SMOKING". People who really wants to quit, needs support from family as well as from Health care providers, Extensive counselling, education and awareness is needed. Counselling/ Education sessions should be arranged in groups and and individually for them. Information leaflets should be provided along with verbal information Initially, if they refuses to quit, they should not be forced and repeated follow-up appointments should be arranged to discuss with them. Reason for refusal should be explored, they might need social support. They should be put in touch with support groups.Replacement therapy with Nicotine can be considered.
During pregnancy, if females wants to quit, their decision should be welcomed.It helps to reduce the complications associated with smoking.