Stop smoking, reduce risk of heart attack
Dr Charit Bhograj outlines the dangers of smoking and explains how those who have the habit can quit.
Times of India Bangalore - May 30, 2009
During the 20th Century, cigarette smoking and tobacco killed a 100 million people worldwide, a number that will be one billion during the 21st century. Ironically, for the first time in history, the leading causes of death - heart disease, cancer and stroke - are a commercial substance that kills the user when used in the intended manner. Around 67 percent of men here smoke when compared to the global average of 25 percent, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). India is the second largest user of tobacco. Tobacco smoke not only contains nicotine, but also 4,000 other substances, most of which are cancer causing.
Dr Charit Bhograj outlines the dangers of smoking and explains how those who have the habit can quit.
Times of India Bangalore - May 30, 2009
During the 20th Century, cigarette smoking and tobacco killed a 100 million people worldwide, a number that will be one billion during the 21st century. Ironically, for the first time in history, the leading causes of death - heart disease, cancer and stroke - are a commercial substance that kills the user when used in the intended manner. Around 67 percent of men here smoke when compared to the global average of 25 percent, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). India is the second largest user of tobacco. Tobacco smoke not only contains nicotine, but also 4,000 other substances, most of which are cancer causing.
Heart disease
Smoking increases the risk of heart disease by 45 to 50 percent.Passive smoking is associated with an eight percent increase in risk.Elaborate studies by the eminent cardiologist Dr S Thanikachalam in the 1980s proved that even one cigarette is enough to impair the normal functioning of the heart and blood vessels.
Smoking causes a state of inflammation throughout the body, increases the level of harmful cholesterol, accelerates the process of block formation and clots in the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart and brain.
Cancer
The leading cause of cancer worldwide is smoking. Carcinogens inhaled while smoking increase the risk of lung cancer 23 times along with cancers of the mouth, throat, food pipe, stomach, pancreas and bladder.
The leading cause of cancer worldwide is smoking. Carcinogens inhaled while smoking increase the risk of lung cancer 23 times along with cancers of the mouth, throat, food pipe, stomach, pancreas and bladder.
Lung disease
Around 90 percent of cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, an irreversible progressive form of lung disease,is attributed to cigarette smoking. The inhaled fumes cause constant irritation to the lungs impairing their ability to absorb oxygen and remove carbon dioxide,causing progressive breathing difficulty. Ultimately, this leads to an advanced form of asthma where even the best medicine can only give minimal relief from suffering.
Around 90 percent of cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, an irreversible progressive form of lung disease,is attributed to cigarette smoking. The inhaled fumes cause constant irritation to the lungs impairing their ability to absorb oxygen and remove carbon dioxide,causing progressive breathing difficulty. Ultimately, this leads to an advanced form of asthma where even the best medicine can only give minimal relief from suffering.
Substance of addiction
It generally takes a teenager four cigarettes before he becomes a lifelong smoker.This alarming observation is due to the dual and seemingly opposite actions of nicotine - it causes stimulation of cretin brain functions, and at the same time,causes depression and calming.The actions are a result of changes in the chemicals in the brain that cause stimulation and the release of substances like adrenaline rendering the smoker awake and alert, and on the other hand, the release of chemicals such as dopamine in the pleasure centres that result in a calming effect and addiction.
It generally takes a teenager four cigarettes before he becomes a lifelong smoker.This alarming observation is due to the dual and seemingly opposite actions of nicotine - it causes stimulation of cretin brain functions, and at the same time,causes depression and calming.The actions are a result of changes in the chemicals in the brain that cause stimulation and the release of substances like adrenaline rendering the smoker awake and alert, and on the other hand, the release of chemicals such as dopamine in the pleasure centres that result in a calming effect and addiction.
Quitting
Quitting smoking reduces the risk of death and heart attack by 36 percent, a benefit that is seen as early as six months to one year after stopping.Unfortunately, billions is spent each year on developing and marketing new drugs that benefit heart patients.They have not been as effective in preventing death as quitting smoking. Around 90 percent of all who smoke report that they would like to stop but only 40 percent of those who try to quit succeed.
Smoking should be treated like any other addiction.Efforts to quit have been more successful while using a combination of counselling, support from family and doctors, nicotine replacement for a short duration of six months, and antidepressants that reduce craving.
Together with your doctor,quitting smoking is a reasonable and achievable goal.
Quitting smoking reduces the risk of death and heart attack by 36 percent, a benefit that is seen as early as six months to one year after stopping.Unfortunately, billions is spent each year on developing and marketing new drugs that benefit heart patients.They have not been as effective in preventing death as quitting smoking. Around 90 percent of all who smoke report that they would like to stop but only 40 percent of those who try to quit succeed.
Smoking should be treated like any other addiction.Efforts to quit have been more successful while using a combination of counselling, support from family and doctors, nicotine replacement for a short duration of six months, and antidepressants that reduce craving.
Together with your doctor,quitting smoking is a reasonable and achievable goal.
(The author is a consultant cardiologist)
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