The Harm of Tobacco

More than 7,000 chemicals make up tobacco smoke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of those 7,000 chemicals, most are poisonous, and at least 70 are linked to cancer in humans and animals. Yet, thousands of Americans use tobacco every day, putting themselves and those around them at risk for lung cancer, heart disease, and other severe health conditions. May 31 is World Tobacco Day, making it the perfect time to learn about the harm of tobacco and ways to quit using tobacco.

Complications Associated with Tobacco Use

Tobacco use causes severe conditions such as lung cancer and increases your risk of heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Lung Cancer

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cigarette smoking is the number one risk factor for lung disease. In the United States, smoking is linked to nearly 90 percent of lung cancer deaths. Symptoms show themselves differently in different people, but common signs of lung cancer include coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing up blood, and unintentional weight loss. If left untreated, lung cancer can cause bouts of pneumonia or swollen lymph nodes.

Heart Disease

Heart disease is a broad term used to describe a variety of heart conditions. The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease when the blood vessels that carry blood to the heart narrow. Smoking is a significant cause of heart disease because it raises fat in your blood and makes blood stickier, meaning it’s more likely to clot. It can also damage cells that line blood vessels and causes blood vessels to thicken and narrow. Signs of heart disease include chest pain, shortness of breath, pain in the neck or jaw, or numbness in the legs or arms.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to a group of lung diseases that block airflow. The most common COPDs are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD is caused by cigarette smoking or long-term exposure to secondhand smoke. Symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and a chronic cough.

Tips to Quit Using Tobacco

Quitting tobacco use isn’t easy, but these tips can help you start your journey to a healthier tobacco-free life.

Talk to your doctor. Tobacco use, especially smoking cigarettes, is an addictive habit. If you’ve tried to quit smoking in the past, chances are you faced a lot of challenges. Talk to your doctor about ways to quit smoking. They can provide resources and monitor your health to see the benefits not using tobacco has on your body.
Enlist friends and family for support. Your journey to quit using tobacco is not one you need to take alone. Let your friends and family know you want to quit and ask for their help. They can act as accountability buddies, or if they’re tobacco uses as well, they may consider joining forces and quitting together.
Discover the underlying reason for your smoking. Many people start smoking for a reason. For some, it’s a way to deal with social anxiety. For others, it’s a way to connect or feel accepted. If you’re not sure why you started smoking or why you continue to use tobacco products, you may want to consider speaking with a licensed therapist or phycologist. Sometimes understanding the root cause for behavior can better prepare you to quit.
Eliminate your triggers. Some people have triggers that make them crave nicotine, such as coffee or alcohol. Triggers could also be activities, like going to a bar or a concert. If you have a trigger, do your best to eliminate or monitor that trigger.
Don’t get discouraged if you relapse. Relapses happen, and they don’t mean you’ve failed. They also don’t mean all the work you’ve put into quitting before the relapse is no longer valid. If you relapse, talk to your doctor about strategies for getting back on track.

How Visiting Angels Can Help

If you or a loved one struggles with complications due to tobacco use, the team at Visiting Angels Mobile, Alabama can help. Our compassionate caregivers assist seniors with light housekeeping, medication reminders, transportation to doctor’s appointments, personal grooming, and more. Our Mobile office serves those in Mobile and the surrounding area. To learn more about our services, you can complete this online form or give us a call at 251.345.4100.