I need help urgently with the harmful effects of smoking?

Health · High School · Tue Nov 03 2020

Answered on

The harmful effects of smoking are numerous and impact nearly every organ in the body, leading to many diseases and generally reducing the health of smokers. Here are some of the major harmful effects:

1. **Lung Damage**: Smoking damages the airways and small air sacs in your lungs, leading to lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is also the leading cause of lung cancer.

2. **Heart Disease**: Smoking increases the risk of heart disease, which can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and aneurysms. It does this by raising blood pressure, causing blood clots, and damaging the blood vessels.

3. **Cancer**: Besides lung cancer, smoking can lead to cancer of the throat, mouth, esophagus, bladder, kidney, liver, stomach, pancreas, colon and rectum, and cervix, as well as acute myeloid leukemia.

4. **Respiratory Problems**: Smokers are more likely to have respiratory infections like bronchitis and pneumonia because smoking damages your immune system.

5. **Fertility Issues**: Smoking can affect fertility in both men and women, making it harder to conceive.

6. **Vision Problems**: Smoking can increase the risk of eye diseases, including cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

7. **Dental Problems**: Smoking can lead to gum disease, tooth loss, and cancers of the mouth. It also causes bad breath and teeth staining.

8. **Bone Damage**: Smokers may have an increased risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis as smoking affects bone density.

9. **Skin Aging**: Smoking can lead to premature skin aging, contributing to wrinkles and a dull complexion due to the disruption of oxygen and nutrients to the skin.

10. **Pregnancy Complications**: Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, premature delivery, lower birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and developmental issues.

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