How Smoking Hurts You
It is a widely known fact that, though smoking may seem cool to some and offer up a certain amount of short-term stress relief, it also poses a number of very dangerous health threats. Cigarettes are very addictive products that, for most people, are extremely difficult to quit. Those who begin smoking and do not cut off the habit, however, may experience dangerous health issues in the future that were directly derived from their smoking habits. Each year, about 440,000 people die from complications associated with smoking cigarettes.
The Short-Term Effects
Smokers will experience some effects of smoking shortly after they begin this habit. Though not terribly dangerous, they still affect the way a person looks or feels. These short-term effects can include the following:
- Itchy, bloodshot eyes
- Stained teeth and gums
- An increase in sick days at work or school
- Increase in wrinkles
- Paling of the skin
- Worsening of allergies and asthma
- Acidic taste in the mouth
- Stomach ulcers
These side effects are all potentially damaging to one’s health and could lead to more serious problems in the long run.
The Long-Term Effects
The majority of individuals are aware of the link between smoking and serious cardiac and respiratory diseases, even if they choose to ignore it. Smokers are much more likely to develop the following conditions as they age:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Kidney failure
- Lung or esophageal cancer
- Pancreatic, kidney, or bladder cancer
- Pulmonary disease
- Impotency
- High blood pressure
- Periodontal disease
These risks are not worth the benefits gained from smoking cigarettes. However, one must also be aware of the risks associated with some products designed to facilitate smoking cessation. For example, the drug Chantix has been shown to cause mood swings, depression, and suicidal thoughts in some individuals.
Contact Us
If you would like to learn more about the dangers of smoking, or if you have suffered from the dangerous side effects of the quit-smoking pill Chantix, then the Chantix lawsuit injury lawyers of the firm can help you. Contact us today to get the compassionate legal help you deserve.