Smoking Hurts Your Kids

Secondhand smoke may seems harmless, just a minor matter of a bad smell and inconvenience to nonsmokers. How bad could it be? It’s not like secondhand smokers are taking in lungs full of poisoned air like you are, right? Well, unfortunately, it’s a little more complicated than that. According the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 2.5 million Americans have died from secondhand smoke in the last 50 years. Negative effects include heart disease, lung cancer, stroke.

Children feel the effects profoundly. In addition the the aforementioned conditioned, CDC says that kids suffer from ear infections, general respiratory problems, even sudden infant death syndrome, more often when in the presence of smokers. Long term exposure, of course, makes things much worse.

Kids Imitate Their Parents

Beyond the basic health effects of secondhand smoke on kids, children whose parents smoke are much more likely to develop their own bad habits eventually. According to a recent survey from the US National Survey on Drug Use and Health, young girls whose mothers smoked were nearly four times more likely to develop their own nicotine addiction. When you smoke, your kids are watching. Your children look to you for guidance in the world. You provide the model. Keep that in mind the next time you light up.

If you don’t have kids but would like to have them some day, why not quit now? Having young children is a very stressful time, and it stays difficult for a long, long time. Quit now while you’ve got stress to spare. Get ahead of things. You’ll thank yourself one day. And so will your kids.

You Can Stop it

Quit smoking. Now. You can do it. You want to do it, the world wants you to do it. There are resources everywhere. And if you do, you’ll be in good company. People quit smoking all the time. While it’s true that people often only quit temporarily, tons of people manage to kick the nic permanently. And even a temporary break doesn’t hurt. Think of it as practice for the real thing. 25% of people who try to stop smoking can keep it up for 6 months if they have the aid of medicine. Even if you don’t cut it completely out that first time, you’ve trained yourself for the big one. No marathon runner simply got off the couch one day and accomplished their goal in one shot. It takes time and practice. You can earn your children’s respect. You can keep your kids safe. You can do this.   

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Are There Different Types of Lung Cancer?

According to LungCancer.org, there are two different types of lung cancer: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell comprises the vast majority. Squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinomas and adenocarcinoma are three different types of tumors that are associated with non-small cell lung cancer.
Small cell lung cancer grows quicker and moves throughout the body faster than non-small cell lung cancer. This type is almost exclusively caused by exceptionally heavy smoking habits.

What Are Some of the Signs or Symptoms?

According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of lung cancer typically do not appear in the disease’s early stages. Some of the warning signs that can point to lung cancer include the following:

• Coughing Up Blood
• Persistent Coughing
• Weight Loss
• Shortness of Breath
• Head or Chest Pain

What Are The Treatment Options?

Depending on what stage the cancer is in, there are several different types of treatments, which can be combined. The Mayo Clinic cites the following types of treatments:

• Chemotherapy
• Drug Therapy
• Radiation Therapy
• Surgery

How Can I Reduce The Risk Of Developing This Type of Lung Disease?

To help lower your risk, it’s a good idea to give up smoking for good. This will not only decrease your chances for developing other serious, chronic diseases, but it will also benefit the people around you. Regular exercise can also help with your overall wellness.

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Most people know that smoking can increase the chances of developing life-threatening diseases. Emphysema is one such example caused by smoking. According to the Mayo Clinic, emphysema affects pulmonary function by ruining the air sacs within the lungs. This damage cannot be reversed.

What Are The Symptoms of This Disease?

According to the Ohio State University Medical Center, shortness of breath is the most common sign of emphysema. Since emphysema prevents the lung’s air sacs, or alveoli, from expanding or contracting, it is much more difficult for a person to take in oxygen. Additional symptoms can include tiredness, cardiac problems, difficulty sleeping, coughing, and depression.

Because emphysema is a chronic disease (which means that it develops overtime), many smokers can already have emphysema without having noticeable signs of the disease. If you have been a long-time tobacco user and have developed these symptoms, be sure to make an appointment with your doctor.

Can Emphysema Lead To Other Diseases?

People with emphysema are more susceptible to developing bacterial infections, which can include pneumonia or bronchitis, according to the Mayo Clinic. Additionally, emphysema can put stress on the heart and arteries.

How Is It Treated?

Patients can undergo treatment in order to alleviate the symptoms of emphysema. While there is no cure, patients can opt for therapy, medication or even surgery. The Mayo Clinic lists the following options to reduce the effects of emphysema:

• Using An Oxygen Tank
• Breathing Exercises Through A Rehabilitation Program
• Taking Bronchodilator Drugs
• Finding An Effective Way To Quit Smoking

What Are The Best Ways To Avoid Getting Emphysema

You’ve probably already guessed it – quit smoking if you want to protect yourself and the people around you. Not only will you improve your lung function, but you will be less likely to develop additional health problems down the road.

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What Smoking Does To Your Teeth

According to WebMD, bad breath, stained teeth and white spots inside the mouth known as leukoplakia are just a few of the minor oral problems that are attributed to smoking. Any type of tobacco product can cause the teeth to decay. When the teeth are constantly exposed to tobacco, tartar can develop and eat away at the tooth’s enamel. If untreated, tooth decay can cause severe discomfort and even lead to an infection.

Smoking can also affect the gums and the bones that attach the teeth to the jaw, leading to tooth loss. If your gums appear to have receded or if your gums are tender and bleed easily, this may be a sign of periodontitis. Additionally, smokers tend to have more trouble with dental implants since tobacco risk increases the likelihood of infection.

Serious Oral Health Problems Linked To Smoking

The likelihood of developing oral cancer, throat cancer and esophageal cancer are significantly increased by smoking or using forms of smokeless tobacco. According to the National Library of Medicine, oral cancer can affect the lips, gums, cheeks, tongue, palate or floor of the mouth. Sores or bumps inside the mouth can be signs of oral cancer. Often times, treatment involves the removal of tumors that have developed inside the mouth along with chemotherapy treatment. In some cases, the treatment can affect one’s ability to chew and speak.

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What Is An Electronic Cigarette?

According to Medical News Today, an e-cigarette is made up of the following devices:

• Rechargeable Battery
• Atomizer — Used to heat liquid to create vapor.
• Cartridge (or mouthpiece)
• E-Liquid — Propylene glycol (a safe food additive) and flavoring, which can include nicotine.

Possible Dangers of Using E-Cigarettes

While e-cigarettes are smokeless, they do have the option of containing nicotine, which is also found in traditional cigarettes. Nicotine itself is an addictive component, which can reduce appetite, create relaxation, reduce anxiety and even act as a pain killer, according to News Medical. While these may seem like positive reactions, continued dependency on nicotine over time can cause cardiovascular problems like:

• Hypertension
• Heart Attack
• Stroke
• Congestive Heart Failure
• Heart Arrhythmias

Should E-Cigarettes Be Avoided?

Some believe that the lack of evidence proving e-cigarettes are safe is a reason to avoid them. While e-cigarettes are smokeless, and don’t contain the tobacco and harmful carcinogens found in traditional cigarettes, the fact that they can carry nicotine could pose a health risk. The continued use of nicotine can lead to nicotine tolerance, which can cause depression and forces users to take higher levels of nicotine in order to feel the same effect.

Because of nicotine’s addictive qualities, nicotine withdrawal has been known to cause the following symptoms:

• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Diarrhea or Constipation
• Difficult Falling Asleep or Insomnia
• Weight Gain (Craving for High-Calorie Foods)

It’s our view that nicotine, a highly addictive substance, should be avoided in any form.

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What Is Smokeless Tobacco?

Unlike cigarettes, smokeless tobacco is usually sucked on, chewed or sniffed. According to the Mayo Clinic, the following products are categorized as smokeless tobacco:

• Chewing Tobacco
• Tobacco Plugs
• Tobacco Twists
• Snuff
• Snus
• Dissolvable Tobacco

These are often held in the mouth, between the gum and cheek. The juices are often spit out (though certain products like snus are removed or dissolved without having to spit.)

The Dangers of Using Smokeless Tobacco

According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, smokeless tobacco contains high levels of carcinogens and is just as likely to cause cancer as smoking. The most common diseases associated with smokeless tobacco are as follows:

• An Increased Risk of Throat or Mouth Cancer
• Bloody Sores That Develop On the Lips or Mouth That Don’t Heal
• White Patches That Form On the Tongue or Cheeks Caused by Tobacco Juice. Known as Leukoplaki, These Patches Can Be A Sign of Cancer.
• Tooth Decay, Tooth Loss and Bad Breath
• Cardiovascular Disease (High Blood Pressure, Stroke, Heart Attack)

The Best Way to Avoid These Tobacco-Related Diseases

Find a way to quit using smokeless tobacco products. One of the best ways to stop using is to get rid of all tobacco products and find a healthy alternative to take its place. Use support groups, family, friends or programs to ensure that you stick with your decision to stay tobacco free.

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Smoking is One of the Many Distractions

Sure, we’ve all heard of a driver who is distracted by his/her cell phone or fighting the temptation not to text a friend back.  Many drivers, even you, may have been a distracted driver at least once or twice.  Distracted driving is not just a driver using a cellphone, but is any activity that could divert a driver’s attention away from the primary task of driving.  All distractions endanger the driver, passengers, and fellow motorists.  Such distractions include, eating and drinking, talking to passengers, grooming, reading maps, using a gps, adjusting the radio, talking on the cellphone, texting and smoking cigarettes.  Wait.  Smoking cigarettes?  Think about it.  In order to smoke in your car, you need to locate the pack, remove a cigarette, find a lighter, and try to get the cigarette lit while keeping your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.  And what about if your lighting attempts are unsuccessful?  You’ll keep trying and your concentration and focus on the road will be broken.  Once you’re done with your cigarette, you’ll need to make sure that you’ve put it out properly.  If you get a little bit of wind blowing through your windows, you may find a car (and lap) full of burning embers.  And don’t even think about littering!

Not only is cigarette smoking bad for you and can lead to numerous health problems resulting in death, smoking while driving is dangerous and can increase your likelihood of any preventable injuries.  If you must smoke, while in the car, pull over safely.  Better yet, ditch the smokes for your health and keep your eyes and hands on the wheel.

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How Does Secondhand Smoke Harm Children?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children face a wide range of complications attributed to secondhand smoke. Some children may develop cold-like symptoms that include sneezing and coughing. Ear infections have also been cited as being caused by secondhand smoke. Depending on the amount of time exposed, children run a much higher risk of getting the following respiratory problems:

• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
• Lower Respiratory Tract Infections

But secondhand smoke doesn’t only affect the lungs. In an article from CBS News, secondhand smoke can even lead to child behavioral problems and difficulties in school. According to the article, many children run the risk of having multiple behavioral problems that may include:

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• Bullying Problems
• Learning Disabilities

Severe Health Problems Attributed to Secondhand Smoke

In certain cases, secondhand smoke can even be life threatening. Young children can die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, which the Surgeon General has attributed to secondhand smoke exposure.

Quit Smoking Today

Not only will quitting improve personal health, it will also improve the health of any children in close proximity.

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