What are the health effects of quitting smoking?

 What are the health effects of quitting smoking?

According to a recent study, the harmful chemicals in cigarettes can adversely affect the functioning of the heart. Cigarette smoke contains various types of harmful chemicals, which get mixed in the blood during breathing. It affects the cardiovascular system and there is a risk of blood clots.

The risk of high blood pressure and heart attack increases due to obstruction of blood flow. In the smokers of the study, the blood flow is reduced due to the narrowing of the blood vessels, so that sometimes the blood supply to the brain is not easy. And, because of this, the possibility of stroke is more. Accordingly, if people under 50 smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day, the risk of stroke increases twice, according to the study.

According to data from the World Stroke Organization (WSO), smoking definitely increases the risk of stroke. The toxic chemicals found in cigarettes damage the cells and make it difficult for the heart to pump. which can cause stroke. Similarly, according to a study recently published in e-Clinical Medicine, people who smoke have a higher risk of stroke.

Does smoking harm the stomach?

Smoking is equally harmful for the stomach. Many may not know. It also damages the digestive system. As soon as you smoke, nicotine and tobacco reach your mouth, throat and stomach. It causes many problems like constipation, indigestion, gas, acidity, lack of appetite. The risk of diabetes also increases.

Other problems caused by smoking

Smoking reduces blood flow as well as lack of oxygen in the blood. Smoking thickens the blood, which increases the risk of blood clots. Because of this, blood pressure increases as well as cholesterol.

It causes problems related to lungs and also increases the risk of diabetes. Along with bronchitis (respiratory disease), it can also cause other problems related to the throat.

Some say that even one cigarette a day is not considered safe for health. In simple language, if you smoke more cigarettes, it will harm your body more and if you smoke less cigarettes or if you can quit smoking, it will harm your health less. So if you have a habit of smoking 10-15 or 20 cigarettes a day, you should change this habit immediately. In this case, it is beneficial to quit smoking completely.

Instant health benefits

If you can quit smoking, you will see a positive effect on your health immediately. It reduces the level of carbon monoxide in the blood. Carbon monoxide is a type of gas. It removes oxygen from the hemoglobin in the blood. As a result, heart rate and blood pressure become normal.

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Improves the respiratory system

Within a few weeks of quitting smoking, the respiratory system begins to improve. It improves lung function, which reduces symptoms like shortness of breath and cough. This also reduces the risk of other infections.

Increases immunity

Smoking damages the immune system, but quitting smoking improves the immune system. It reduces respiratory infections and fights and protects against various other diseases. And improves overall health.

Improves taste and smell

Smoking affects smell and taste, but when you stop smoking, the damaged or weakened senses become active again. And, the real taste and smell will be known again.

E-cigarettes are becoming a fashion among the youth, health is at risk

 E-cigarettes are becoming a fashion among the youth, health is at risk

12-year-old Sarah Griffin, who lives in the UK, suffered from asthma last September. Sarah, who has been in a coma in the hospital for a few days, is now improving. But his addiction to vape has badly damaged his lungs.

According to the BBC, one of the girl's lungs is almost completely destroyed. According to the doctor, his respiratory system has become like that of an 80-year-old instead of a 12-year-old child. Vape, which can make a 12-year-old's respiratory system look like an 80-year-old's, is now gaining popularity not only in Western countries, but also in Eastern countries. Vape (e-cigarette) has started to become a headache among tobacco products.

What is vape?

A vape is an electric cigarette that runs on a battery. People use it to heat liquids into a vapor that can be inhaled. It is considered a cancer-causing tobacco product because the inhaled vapor contains nicotine (a drug that makes tobacco addictive), flavors and toxic substances.

Vape became fashionable in Yuvapindi

Doctors say that the number of school-aged children who use vape in Nepal is increasing. Chest specialist Niraj Bam says, 'Vape has become like a fashion among young people. School and plus two age group studying in urban areas who have started adolescence are getting addicted to vape.

Psychiatrist Dr. Nirajan Bhattarai says that vape has made it easier for young people who are afraid or hesitant to smoke. Even if they want to smoke, children who are afraid and ashamed of their parents will confidently smoke in front of everyone. It has become a problem to openly smoke vape as a style. Because of this, the number of vape users is increasing, Dr. Bhattarai says.

Dr. Nirajan Bhattarai, Psychiatrist

Health risks

Dr. He says that the use of vape, which is being consumed like bomb cigarettes, will cause short-term and long-term health problems. According to him, the short-term effects may include vomiting, nausea, cough, difficulty breathing, mouth burning, and asthma and pneumonia. Long-term effects can include lung infections and damage, heart disease, cancer, and brain problems.

Dr. Bam adds, 'Nicotine products are considered harmful to health, which is why most countries have banned them. It should be banned in Nepal as well.

What do the statistics say?

According to a recent survey in the UK, one in five children between the ages of 11 and 17 use vape. This number is three times more than in 2020.

In the case of Nepal, there has been no research on this. Therefore, it is not possible to estimate how many people use vape. But many people who come to the OPD with lung problems are found to be using vape and hookah. Bam says. Because of this, he says, it will be difficult to control the use of tobacco products like vape and hookah, just as we have to gradually reduce smoking in Nepal.

Greater impact at younger ages

Dr. According to Bam, vaping poses a double threat to the younger age group. First, the various chemicals used in it, nicotine, harms the lungs. It weakens the lungs at an early age. Secondly, once you become addicted, the chances of getting addicted to cigarettes increase even more,” he says. Nicotine affects the brain development of children and adolescents. He says that in the future they will not be able to concentrate on their studies.

Dr. Neeraj Bam, thoracic specialist

Vaping is not a substitute for quitting smoking

In 2003, Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist who made e-cigarettes, claimed that he could easily quit smoking with its help. But e-cigarettes, which were created to help people get rid of cigarette addiction, have now become a big challenge for the world. Dr. There is no authentic research that the use of e-cigarettes helps to quit smoking. Bam says.

Is vape less dangerous than cigarettes? Dr. Bam says, 'Of the two types of poison, which one is better is the same thing. The possibility of quitting smoking through e-cigarettes is completely delusional. Harmful substances like nicotine are found in both.

How do you get addicted to vape?

Psychiatrist Dr. According to Bhattarai, vaping every day is likely to become addictive. It seems that after starting to eat under the pressure of social media, peers and friends, it gradually becomes a craving and becomes an addiction. If you start drinking tea during the day, as you get used to it, the more you consume the nicotine in the vape, the more you will become addicted. Nicotine increases the level of dopamine (hormone of pleasure). As a result, the desire to eat increases. The role of nicotine is to depend on it. Most people are taking it in the name of getting rid of smoking addiction. Who gradually becomes addicted to it,' said Dr. Bhattarai says.

Addiction treatment is possible

It is possible to get rid of vape addiction. But with family, own desire and medical treatment is necessary. Bhattarai says. In the treatment of its addiction, depending on the level of addiction, chewing gum and nicotine spray are given to reduce nicotine. After that, some medication and therapy will gradually reduce the desire for nicotine. Bhattarai says.

E-cigarette is becoming a 'gate way' to start smoking

 E-cigarette is becoming a 'gate way' to start smoking

The use of electronic cigarettes (vape) is currently being widely used all over the world. Its use is excessive among young people. Although there is no definite data in Nepal, it is also a fact among us that its use among the youth is increasing day by day. It seems to have started as a way to quit smoking or a solution to tobacco addiction. Recently, it seems that users are using it as a means of entertainment or a different identity.

According to the World Health Organization and various researches, it does not have much of a useful effect in the management of tobacco addiction, on the contrary, it is playing a role as a gateway to start smoking even in people who do not smoke.

What is e-cigarette?

It is a type of electrical device, which heats the liquid tobacco and the flavor used in it and turns it into steam. The user inhales the vapor through the 'mouthpiece' in it. E-cigarettes are available in different forms, types and flavors. E-cigarettes available at various prices are advertised as tobacco-free and tobacco-free. Similarly, the e-cigarettes available in the market are either single-use or multi-use.

What harm does it do?

Regular use of e-cigarettes causes many health complications and harms to human health. Basically, there are various problems in the respiratory system such as persistent dry cough, asthma-like symptoms, wheezing, and constant chest pain. In some cases, the effect of its steam can seriously affect the lungs and even lead to very complicated conditions. According to data, its use significantly increases the risk of various heart diseases and heart attack. Apart from the effects of the nicotine used in it, various mental problems can occur due to the side effects of the chemicals in the developing brain of young people and adults.

Challenges in public health

Unlike the purpose with which e-cigarettes were started, the current major public health challenge is the excessive use of e-cigarettes among young people and adults. If we look at the data of Australia in 2023, more than 17 percent of young people consume it. It seems that one out of every two young people will use e-cigarettes in their lifetime.

What is even more alarming is that even children of 12 years of age or below have been found to be using it regularly. In the Australian state of Victoria alone, more than 14 percent of children between the ages of 12 and 17 are caught in its clutches. Among them, 48 percent don't even smoke and after some time they are also caught in the habit of smoking. Taking these data as a basis, it is becoming a gateway for non-smokers to start smoking. In some cases, it has been found that the user children do not even have proper knowledge about its bad effects and harm.

Another challenge is the regulation of more than 200 chemical elements in it, which act as flavor. What should not be forgotten is that harmful tobacco products have been found in more than 21 percent of e-cigarettes advertised and marketed as tobacco-free.

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E-cigarettes are becoming a fashion among the youth, health is at risk

Solutions

Taking Nepal's involvement in the World Health Organization's Framework Convention for Tobacco Control as a basis, it seems that e-cigarettes should be regulated as tobacco products. However, in various countries including Australia, stricter legal provisions than those in the framework have been adopted for its regulation. Even in Nepal, as there are debates about its regulation, it seems that a strict legal system should be in view of the public health risk. It has to be properly managed in time as well as economic and social risks. It seems that there should be a complete ban on its export, production, marketing and commercialization. In addition, it seems that a clear message should be conveyed regarding the prohibition of its use in public places, schools, hotels, restaurants and other places.

It seems that there is a need to collect and research data on the use of e-cigarettes and the actual situation in Nepal from the government and non-government. Compared to other countries, it seems that it is necessary to identify the level of risk our young people are and adopt corresponding strategies.

It is the need of today to create and adopt youth-targeted health awareness and public health promotion programs involving the youth as well. Parents also need to be aware that their children are not involved in such kind of culture. In order to discourage the possible use in educational institutions, schools and hostels, it seems that it is necessary to conduct school-targeted awareness programs and to include materials about the harms and side effects of e-cigarettes in the curriculum, to increase the knowledge of children and youth and to develop the skills to avoid smoking.

Smokers can get throat cancer, voice changes should be checked

 Smokers can get throat cancer, voice changes should be checked

Cigarettes contain various cancer-causing chemicals such as 'hydrocarbon', 'benzene' and others. Its effect is from the lungs to all parts of the body. Among them, cigarette smoke in the throat is more likely to cause cancer.

The neck does not mean only the neck. It includes food pipe to larynx. Cigarette smoke can cause cancer in these parts.

Many people may have a question, how many cigarettes can you get cancer? Or how many years of smoking can cause cancer?

There is no exact answer. Human body, conditions are different. It can damage some people quickly and others after a long time. There is no guarantee that most smokers will get cancer. However, the risk of cancer is high for smokers.

And be careful

You have been smoking for a long time. In this situation, your voice changed. As the voice can be hoarse, it can be slurred. Let's not pretend that we have a cold or a cold at this time. Because if there is a change in the voice for three consecutive weeks, then a cancer test should be done.

If there is cancer in the throat of those who smoke cigarettes, the voice starts to change. Then it becomes difficult to swallow food. Breathing becomes difficult. As if having increased breath. When neck pain starts, you should go to the doctor. A biopsy should be done. Because changes in voice and wheezing are the primary symptoms of cancer.

Dr. Arun Casey

Cancer of nose and ear also

Smokers are not only at risk of developing throat, but also nose and ear cancer. If there are problems like sore throat, nasal allergy, it can be a symptom of cancer.

Besides, smoking also causes other ear related problems.

Treatment is easy in the initial moment

As soon as there is a change in the voice of the smoker, he must go to the hospital. The sooner you can go to the hospital, the faster the treatment can be.

The longer one smokes, the higher the risk of cancer. As soon as the symptoms of cancer appear, if you go to the hospital and consult a doctor, treatment is possible according to the stage of the cancer.

Endoscopy should be done to find out which part of the neck is swollen or has symptoms of cancer. If cancer is suspected during endoscopy, a biopsy should be done. A biopsy is used to determine if it is cancer or not.

The treatment method depends on how far the cancer has spread and what stage it is. If you reach the hospital in the first stage, its treatment is easy. If there is second and third stage, the treatment is complicated. For example, if a first-stage cancer is detected in a person's respiratory tract, it can be removed with a laser.

If the second and third stage cancer is detected in the same person, if it has spread too much, the larynx itself may have to be removed by major surgery. You may have to live with a hole in your neck for the rest of your life.

Let's quit smoking

Therefore, smoking should be avoided to avoid various health problems along with cancer. The risk of asthma, cancer and other health problems can be avoided from the day after quitting smoking.