Tobacco is without a doubt a danger to your body. No matter how you choose to smoke the tobacco, it gives a significantly higher risk for your health.

Although many people are aware of smoking effects towards their health, tobacco in the form of cigarettes remains one of the highest grossing consumables.

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A study predicts that by the end of 2020, at least 30.000 people die from lung cancer each year in the Middle East. Additionally, tobacco is known as the universal cause of lung cancer.

To learn more about smoking health effects to your body, let’s delve into these crucial points in this article.

1. Early Menopause

A study from the University of Pennsylvania proved that women who smoke regularly tend to go through menopause one or two years sooner compared to women who don’t smoke.

The study also showed that the hasten of menopause due to smoking is not related to age, genetic conditions, and race. Additionally, women who smoke heavily generate a higher chance of getting breast cancer post-menopause.

2. Bronchitis

The toxic substances of the cigarettes that are inhaled affect the lung directly. Most people who smoke suffer from COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). Not only for active smokers, passive smokers or people who breathe the smoke are also prone to get COPD.

The smoke from cigarettes along with the toxic goes down through the windpipe and to the bronchioles. The bronchioles consist of elastic air sacs clusters known as alveoli. Within the alveoli are the capillaries. In normal condition, oxygen inhaled goes through the alveoli and to the capillaries to eventually distribute the oxygen to the whole body.

When the smoke reaches the air sacs, it stiffens them hence the process of gas exchange is disrupted. Not only that, but the toxic of tobacco also damages the air sacs walls.

3. Dull Sense of Smell & Taste

Aside from lung cancer and bronchitis, cigarettes also affect the olfactory nerves that are responsible for transmitting signals to the brain. The signals being transmitted by these nerves are sensory of smell and taste.

When the cigarettes contaminate them, they no longer function to the fullest and in results giving the smokers a duller sense of smell and taste. In the long run, heavy smokers may suffer from permanently damaged olfactory nerves located in the back of the nose.

Although it does not sound that scary, it is more dangerous than you might think. The nerves do not only send signals to the brain but also act as a protective and valuable reflex. When this function is diminished by the cigarettes, the smokers’ ability to notice bad smells also decreases.

4. Mood Stimulation

The main culprit to the mood stimulation from cigarettes is the nicotine. Nicotine is known to release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine. While the dopamine levels rise, the smokers will experience pleasure.

However, the brain also picks up that dopamine level is increased ‘forcibly’ hence it will need that high level of dopamine to keep the smoker happy. This, in results, causes the addiction to cigarettes.

5. Lower Sperm Count

Sperm cells carry two types of protein called the protamine 1 and protamine 2. However, in heavy smokers, the protamine 2 is too little, making the sperm cell vulnerable to DNA damage. When the damaged sperm cells go into the egg cells, the sperms cannot fertilise the cells.

There are many other cigarettes effects on the body, and it has proved that not only lung cancer but cigarettes are also the leading cause of 13 different cancers.

If you are a smoker, it is never too late to start quitting the habit. If you are a passive smoker, try to stay as far away as possible from cigarettes smoke. For more info, you may consult online to experienced doctors at Okadoc.