Even smokers who smoke 5 or fewer cigarettes a day may develop early signs of cardiovascular disease. Carbon monoxide and nicotine make the heart work harder and faster. This means that smoking makes it more challenging to exercise. A lack of exercise further increases the risk of health problems. According to the National Institutes of Health NIH , smoking reduces bone density, making the bones weaker and more brittle.
Smoking can also impair bone healing after a fracture. Researchers find it difficult to say whether this is a direct effect of smoking, or due to other risk factors prevalent in people who smoke. These include lower body weight and doing less physical exercise. This may affect females more than males. Females are more prone to osteoporosis and broken bones. According to one study , smoking reduces immune function and causes inflammation in the body. This can lead to autoimmune conditions, including:.
Smoking also has links with type 2 diabetes. It often takes many years before a person notices any symptoms of smoking-related lung disease. This means that people may not receive a diagnosis until the disease is quite advanced. Smoking can impact the lungs in several ways. The primary reason is that smoking damages the airways and air sacs — known as alveoli — in the lungs. Other lung diseases caused by smoking include pneumonia , asthma , and tuberculosis.
Smoking irritates the gum tissues. The American Dental Association ADA state that smoking increases the risk of gum disease , which can add to halitosis. Smoking can also affect the reproductive system and fertility. Females who smoke can have more difficulty becoming pregnant. In males, smoking can cause impotence by damaging blood vessels in the penis. It can also damage sperm and affect sperm count. According to some studies, males who smoke have a lower sperm count than those who do not.
Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen that can reach the skin. This speeds up the aging process and can make skin appear dull or gray. Smoking reduces how quickly skin wounds heal, increases the risk of skin infections, and increases the severity of skin conditions, including psoriasis. Smoking increases the risk of many types of cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute , tobacco smoke contains around 7, chemicals, of which at least 69 can cause cancer.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women. It is one of the most difficult to treat. Cigars, pipe-smoking, menthol cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and other forms of tobacco all cause cancer and other health problems. NRT appears to be more effective when combined with a talking therapy.
You could also consider e-cigarettes. Talk to your doctor, a pharmacist or a health visitor about which treatments might be suitable for you. Individual, group or telephone counselling can help people to stop smoking. Talking therapies can help people change their behaviour by thinking and acting more positively. Many counselling programmes use the techniques of cognitive behavioural therapy CBT and social skills development. Research has shown that CBT may be particularly effective in smokers with or without mental health problems.
Removing all tobacco products from your home can help lessen some of the cravings of nicotine withdrawal. Learn to recognise your smoking triggers. Identify when you crave cigarettes, such as at a party or after a meal. Most cravings only last a few minutes. You may experience headaches, nausea, irritability, anxiety, craving cigarettes, feeling miserable, difficulty in concentrating, increased appetite and drowsiness.
Drinking more fresh fruit juice or water, eating more high fibre foods and reducing caffeine and refined sugar in your diet can all help you cope with withdrawal symptoms. Many people who quit smoking will relapse at some point. Use it as an opportunity to reflect on what went wrong, learn about yourself and figure out what will help you be more successful in future. Home A-to-z S Smoking and mental health Smoking and mental health We all know the physical health risks of smoking tobacco, but did you know smoking also affects people's mental health?
Why is smoking so addictive? Smoking and depression Adults with depression are twice as likely to smoke as adults without depression. Smoking and schizophrenia People with schizophrenia are three times more likely to smoke than other people and tend to smoke more heavily. Ways to help you quit Stopping smoking suddenly through willpower alone is the least effective way to quit.
Minus Related Pages. On This Page. Smoking and Death. This is nearly one in five deaths. Smoking and Increased Health Risks. Smoking and Cardiovascular Disease.
This makes your heart beat faster and your blood pressure go up. Clots can also form. Smoking and Respiratory Disease. Smoking and Cancer. Smoking and Other Health Risks. They are also at greater risk for broken bones. Smoking affects the health of your teeth and gums and can cause tooth loss. It can also cause age-related macular degeneration AMD. AMD is damage to a small spot near the center of the retina, the part of the eye needed for central vision. Quitting and Reduced Risks.
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