The Harmful Effects of Cigarette Smoking
Probably there is no one on the face of this earth that does not know about the harmful effects of cigarette smoking; nevertheless smokers are ironically a significant portion of the population around us. When you are smoking cigarettes, it means you are at risk of taking over 4000 harmful chemicals in your body. All the components of cigarette smoking interfere adversely with the normal functioning of the human body. The effects of cigarette smoking are fatal and extensive and our population is actually at risk due to cigarette smoking.
Nicotine
The harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke pass through the body and damages are occurred in different ways. Nicotine, the most common component of cigarette smoking, arrives at the brain region in less than 10 seconds and affects different areas of human body. A breastfeeding woman is at higher risk for cigarette smoking and the effects of cigarette smoking are more dangerous to the infant. Carbon monoxide, originated from cigarette smoking, combines with hemoglobin within the red blood corpuscles which inhibit the process of oxygen transportation throughout the cells.
Carcinogens
Carcinogens, one of the most significant compounds of cigarette smoke, are the cancer causing agents, which can alter or damage the structure of genes which are responsible for growth of the cells. The result is either excessive abnormal production of cells or inhibition of cells. Either of the conditions is harmful and can place the individual towards higher level of susceptibility for developing different types of cancer. The effects of cigarette smoking are also quite profound on the immune system and respiratory system.
However, the damages are not so limited; rather the effects of cigarette smoking are quite vast and deep-rooted. One of the most complex effects of cigarette smoking is the formation of oxidative stress that mutates DNA. It eventually leads to chronic lung injury. However, it is assumed that the oxidative stress is an important symptom related to the aging process, cigarette smoking may accelerate the process. Advanced stages of oxidative stress may lead to the development of various types of cancer, cardiovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Normally, our body produces a certain level of antioxidants which aids in repairing damaged cells, preventing the production of free radicals etc. Cigarette smoking directly interferes with this natural process and aids in the production of free radicals itself. So, prolonged smoking leads to accelerating degree of ageing process. Chronic inflammation can be considered as one of the serious effects of cigarette smoking, which also accelerates the oxidative process.
