Smoking Effects on Physical Health

Introduction

The effects of smoking on physical health are severe and permanent and affect nearly every organ of the human body. Smoking is one of the major preventable causes of diseases and mortality in the world. It contains dangerous chemicals like nicotine, carbon monoxide, and tar that cause damage to the lungs, heart, and blood vessels. Even though, the people start smoking because of stress or the desire to fit in, their consequences can severely impair quality of life. To learn more about the ways in which smoking influences physical well-being is necessary for preventive actions and quitting the habit.

How Smoking Affects the Lungs

One of the most damaging smoking effects on physical health is its impact on the respiratory system. When people smoke, all toxic substances get into the lungs and cause irritation of the airways. The consequences include:

1. Chronic bronchitis
2. Emphysema
3. Loss of lung capacity
4. Conspicuous cough and breathlessness

On the other side, smoking is the main reason for lung cancer. The accumulation of tar in the cells of the lungs causes irreversible changes and promotes the growth of cancerous cells. This is why people have problems with breathing and low endurance.

Effects of Smoking on the Heart

Smoking also has an adverse effect on one’s cardiovascular system. Therefore, Nicotine results in the narrowing of the blood vessels, leading to elevated blood pressure levels. Carbon monoxide lowers the oxygen level in the blood, and thus putting extra load on the heart.

Physical impacts of smoking on heart function are as follows:

• Higher probability of heart attack

• Increased risk of stroke

• Constriction of the arteries

• Bad blood circulation

Therefore, there is a higher likelihood for smokers to get life-threatening heart diseases.

Impact of Smoking on Immune Function

Another important consequence of smoking is the weakening of the immune system. Damaging substances inhibit the immune response of one’s body. As a result, smokers have a higher likelihood of getting sick due to pneumonia, influenza, and other infections. Besides, the wounds heal much slower.

Impact on Physical Appearance and Skin

Smoking also has an impact on the physical appearance of a person. As a result, poor oxygen flow and circulation lead to skin problems and premature aging. Visible signs are:

• Wrinkles

• Dry skin

• Yellowish color of the teeth and nails

• Hair loss

For this reason, a smoker looks older than his real age.

Smoking and Cancers

One of the smoking side effects that poses the greatest danger to physical health is the close connection of smoking with cancers. There are several cancers related to smoking:

1. Lung cancer
2. Cancer of the throat
3. Mouth cancer
4. Bladder cancer
5. Pancreas cancer

Carcinogens found in tobacco destroy the DNA and promote the formation of abnormal cells. As a consequence, smoking contributes to the development of life-threatening cancer diseases.

Impact on Physical Fitness and Stamina

Smoking has an adverse effect on physical fitness because of reduced oxygen level in the body. Effects on physical fitness are:

• Physical exhaustion

• Low muscle strength

• Poor athletic performance

• Longer recovery after physical effort

Therefore, it is harder to keep physical shape for a smoker than for non-smoker.

Positive Effects of Quitting Smoking

Despite the dangers of smoking, quitting can result in many positive changes when it comes to one’s health. In just a few weeks after stopping smoking, an individual can benefit from improved blood circulation and better lung performance. In the long run, the risk of developing heart conditions, stroke, and cancer lowers, while energy and breathability improve.

Conclusion: Smoking Effects on Physical Health

Smoking has many negative impacts on the physical state of a person’s body; it affects such systems as the respiratory, circulatory, and immune. Moreover, it can cause many health complications and increase the risk of developing diseases such as cancer and heart conditions. However, giving up on smoking at any stage can help improve one’s health.