Nutrition And The Effects Of Cigarette Smoking
Author: Desmond Newman
Cigarette smoking is considered by many medical professionals as a dreaded habit because of the health conditions that may be developed by engaging this activity. It is has been strongly linked to health conditions like heart disease, emphysema, lung cancer, and other cardiovascular ailments. Cigarette smoking is responsible for nearly 440,000 of more than 2.4 million premature deaths in the United States and is one of the leading causes of death around the world. The effects of smoking on cardiovascular and circulatory health have taken the "limelight" for many years. What is forgotten is that nicotine and other toxic substances in cigarettes actually drain the body of several essential vitamins and minerals.
Vitamin C absorption is adversely affected by smoking. Vitamin C is one of the human body's most important antioxidant. Antioxidants are substances that protect the body's cells from harmful molecules called free radicals. Free radicals may damage cells and play a role in the development of heart, disease, cancer, and other diseases. Antioxidants are linked to the prevention of a number of diseases and certain cancers. The more an individual smokes, the more Vitamin C one may lose from the tissues and the blood. However, smokers need more Vitamin C to prevent further cell damage that are caused by smoking. To achieve this, smokers need to increase their intake of this vitamin by about 2000 milligrams per day.
The only real solution to lessen the damage of cigarette smoking is to quit the habit. Individuals who want to quit smoking may use over-the-counter or prescription quit smoking products. However, patients should seek the approval of doctors to know the side effects and drug interactions that may be developed while under medication. Doctors may prescribe the medication that is suitable for one's overall health.
Rather than search for the perfect quit smoking drug, individuals who want to quit smoking may try to improve their lifestyles and incorporate activities like exercise, meditation, and other activities. By doing this, they may reduce stress and provide the same rewards that nicotine may bring. Many smokers claim that they light up a cigarette to achieve a state of "highness" and reduce stress. Maintaining a stress free lifestyle is essential in quiting habits like smoking and improve one's quality of life. If these adjustments do not work, doctors are always there to help smokers achieve their health goals. Effective communication between smokers and doctors is essential in cutting the habit. With the right tools and attitude, quitting cigarette smoking is an achievable goal.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/nutrition-and-the-effects-of-cigarette-smoking-1936123.html
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[TEMPLATE]cannibis[/TEMPLATE]
What are the NEGATIVE effects of smoking marijuana?
I’ve done some mild research and some reputable effects include mental disorders such as schizophrenia, among other things. However, there seems to be a growing evidence of more positive effects such as protective mechanisms against Alzheimer’s and even therapeutic effects of cardiovascular and pulmonary health.
On the other hand, cigarette smoking (a legal substance) causes a 20 fold increase in risk of developing lung cancer.
btw, I am not advocating anything here, I just want more accurate information.
EFFECTS OF CANNABIS
POSITIVE
mood lift, euphoria
laughter
relaxation, stress reduction
creative, philosophical or deep thinking : ideas flow more easily
increased appreciation of music. More aware of, deeper connection to music.
increased awareness of senses. (eating, drinking, smell)
change in experience of muscle fatigue. Pleasant body feel. Increase in body/mind connection.
pain relief (headaches, cramps)
reduced nausea, increased appetite (used medically for this)
boring tasks or entertainment can become more interesting or funny
NEUTRAL
general change in consciousness (as with many psychoactives)
increased appetite, snacky-ness
slowness (slow driving, talking)
change in vision such as sharpened colors or lights
closed-eye visuals (somewhat uncommon)
tiredness, sleepiness, lethargy
stimulation, inability to sleep (less common)
blood shot eyes (more common with certain varieties of cannabis and inexperienced users)
mouth dryness, sticky-mouth (varies with strain)
interrupts linear memory. Difficulty following a train of thought.
cheek, jaw, facial tension / numbness (less commonly reported)
racing thoughts (especially at high doses)
increased emotional impact of music
Time sense altered: cars seem like they are moving too fast, time dilation and compression are common at higher doses
NEGATIVE
nausea, especially in combination with alcohol, some pharmaceuticals, or other psychoactives
coughing, asthma, upper respiratory problems
difficulty with short term memory during effects and during periods of frequent use (Ranganathan M, D’Souza DC, Psychopharmacology, 2006)
racing heart, agitation, feeling tense
mild to severe anxiety
panic attacks in sensitive users or with very high doses (oral use increases risk of getting too much)
headaches
dizziness, confusion
lightheadedness or fainting (in cases of lowered blood pressure)
paranoid & anxious thoughts more frequent
possible psychological dependence on cannabis
clumsiness, loss of coordination at high doses
can precipitate or exacerbate latent or existing mental disorders
Could I smoke while keeping in good cardiovascular shape and not have smoking effect my lungs more negatively?
…instead of smoking and not keeping in good cardiovascular shape, or does smoking in general hurt your lungs the same way no matter how good of shape you stay in?
“Smoking is the nation’s leading cause of preventable death.”
This is a quote from the American Lung Assn. flyer I received. Smoking dirties your lungs and it stays there. Even if you exercise, your lungs will not be as efficient as if they are “clean”. The worst is if you get lung cancer. You sound like someone who thinks keeping his heart in shape is important…your lungs are just as important and there is not much you can do if you end up with lung cancer. Why would somebody do something that they know is bad for them and may cause suffering later (to themselves and their loved ones…I lost my dad to cancer, and the doctor said cigarettes played a major part. I miss him terribly, and he may have actually had a chance if he didn’t smoke). If you smoke now and would like help, go to the American Lung Association website and “Freedom from smoking” link at http://www.lungusa.org or call 1-00-LUNG-USA. I hope you decide it’s not worth the risk…whether you get cancer or not, your lungs will lose their elasticity and capacity over the years, coated and dirty with tar and nicotine. Not to mention socially it is not a very attractive habit. Please get more details at the websites I mentioned and good luck.
anyone know good smoking effects websites?
i am doing a paper on the effects of smoking of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems and i am having trouble find good, solid websites for information. does anyone know of any?
please post the URLs here. and thanks in advance!
http://www.mydr.com.au/default.asp?article=2907
http://www.quitsmoking.com/kopykit/reports/body.htm
i find those very informative, good luck with your paper!
What are the effects of smoking on the cardiovascular and/or respiratory systems?
ciggarette smoking? secondhand smoke? try to narrow down your question. anyway heres a variety:
http://mens-health.health-cares.net/smoking-cardiovascular-disease.php
^^^^^Smoking and cardiovascular disease
http://www.pwc.k12.nf.ca/PROJECTS/b2201/moore/smoking/index.html
^^^^^The Harmful Effects of Cigarette Smoking on the Cardiovascular System
http://www.nursingtimes.net/nursing-practice-clinical-research/the-physiological-effects-of-smoking-on-the-respiratory-system/204364.article
^^^^^The physiological effects of smoking on the respiratory system.
http://www.wvdhhr.org/bph/cvd/page1.htm
^^^^^What is the connection between smoking and heart disease?
http://smoking.ygoy.com/how-smoking-damages-your-health/
^^^^^How Smoking Damages Your Health?
http://www.ionchannels.org/showabstract.php?pmid=16633075&redirect=yes&terms=effects+of+smoking+on+the+cardiovascular+system%3F
^^^^^Nicotine effect on cardiovascular system and ion channels.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15911719
^^^^^Cardiovascular effects of secondhand smoke: nearly as large as smoking.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/146539.php
^^^^^Cardivascular Effects Of Smoke From Cigarettes, Cooking Oil, Wood
hopefully this is more than enough information for you.
gluck.
Will cardiovascular exercise help offset the harmful effect of smoking?
I started smoking recently and i like it..im 20 yrs old….i think i ll smoke atleast 2 to 3 cigarettes a day..sometimes maybe even 7 to 8 a day.i just wanna know if performing intense cardiovascular exercises everyday can help offset the harmful effects of smoking in the long run…