Main diseases caused by smoking and what to do

Cigarettes can cause almost 50 different diseases, and this is due to the chemical substances present in their composition, which have bad health consequences and are responsible for causing cancer in various organs, lung diseases, such as bronchitis and emphysema and cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.

Even people who smoke little or do not smoke, but inhale other people's smoke, can suffer consequences, as the toxic substances in cigarette smoke can cause inflammation and changes in the genetics of cells. In addition, not only the traditional industrialized cigarette is bad, but also the chewed tobacco, straw, pipe, cigar, hookah and electronic cigarette versions.

Some of the diseases that can be caused by cigarette use are:

1. Pulmonary emphysema and bronchitis

Emphysema and bronchitis, known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, are more common in people over the age of 45 and arise because cigarette smoke causes inflammation in the tissue that lines the airways, making it difficult for air to pass and causing permanent damage that reduces the lung's ability to perform gas exchange efficiently.

The main symptoms that arise in this type of disease are shortness of breath, chronic cough and cases of frequent pneumonia. Shortness of breath initially arises when making efforts, but as the disease worsens, it can appear even when standing still and result in complications, such as pulmonary hypertension and respiratory infection. Understand how to identify and treat COPD.

What to do: It is recommended to go to the general practitioner or pulmonologist so that tests can be carried out and the most appropriate treatment is indicated, which usually includes the use of inhaled pumps containing drugs that open the airways, facilitating the passage of air. In cases where worsening of symptoms is observed, the doctor may recommend the use of corticosteroids or oxygen. In addition, it is essential to stop smoking to prevent the progression of lung inflammation and worsening symptoms.

2. Heart attack and stroke

Cigarette produces cardiovascular changes, accelerating the heartbeat and contracting the main arteries, which leads to changes in the heartbeat rhythm and increase in blood pressure, which can cause infarction, angina, stroke and aneurysm.

Cigarette causes inflammation in the blood vessel wall and, therefore, increases the chances of developing cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack, stroke, thrombosis and aneurysms.

The person who smokes may be more likely to have high blood pressure, have chest pains, such as angina, and have fatty plaques in the vessels, for example, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, especially if associated with other risk situations, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

What to do: It is important to consult a cardiologist to assess the health of the heart and initiate treatment, which in these cases may include the use of drugs that control the formation of blood clots, such as Acetyl Salicylic Acid (AAS) and Clopidogrel, and medicines that control blood pressure. In more severe cases, surgery may be recommended and, in the case of stroke, it may be necessary to have a cerebral catheterization, which is a procedure that aims to remove the clot. Understand how brain catheterization is done.

3. Sexual impotence

Smoking causes impotence in men, especially under the age of 50, both by altering the release of hormones important for intimate contact, and by inhibiting the blood flow that pumps blood to the penis, necessary to maintain an erection, as well as interfere with sperm quality.

Thus, the person who smokes may find it difficult to initiate or maintain intimate contact until the end, causing some embarrassment. However, quitting smoking usually reverses this situation partially or totally.

What to do: In these cases the most recommended is to stop smoking, since that way it is possible to have sexual capacity restored. In some cases it may also be interesting to have sessions with a psychologist or sexologist, as they can help to reverse impotence.

4. Rheumatic diseases

Smoking increases the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, with the presence of pain, swelling and redness in the joints, especially in the hands, and increases the severity and difficulty of its treatment, since it decreases the effectiveness of drugs to treat arthritis.

Smoking also increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in people with rheumatic diseases due to increased inflammation and dysfunction of the body's cells.

What to do: In the case of rheumatic diseases, in addition to quitting smoking, it is important that the person is accompanied by a rheumatologist and does regular examinations in order to check for changes and if there is a need to change the dose of the drug due to smoking.

5. Gastric ulcers

Cigarettes favor the appearance of new ulcers, delay their healing, interfere with the effectiveness of the treatment to eradicate them and increase the complications related to ulcers.

Cigarettes increase the chances of developing a gastric ulcer by four times, as well as other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as gastritis, reflux and inflammatory bowel disease, for example, due to increased inflammation also in the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestine.

Therefore, it is common for people who smoke to have more symptoms such as stomach pain, burning, poor digestion and changes in the intestinal rhythm.

What to do: To treat gastric ulcers, the gastroenterologist or general practitioner recommends the use of medications that decrease stomach acidity, preventing the worsening of symptoms and the progression of the ulcer. In addition, the use of analgesic medications to control pain and change in eating habits may be indicated, avoiding very acidic, hot foods that promote the release of gastric acid, such as coffee, sauces and black tea. See how the treatment for gastric ulcer should be.

6. Visual changes

The substances in cigarette smoke also increase the risk of developing eye diseases, such as cataracts and macular degeneration, by increasing the chances of cell dysfunction and inflammation.

Cataracts cause blurriness or blurred vision, which impairs visual ability, especially at night. In macular degeneration, on the other hand, changes occur in the center of vision, which becomes blurred and may worsen over time.

What to do: In these cases, it is recommended to consult the ophthalmologist so that vision is assessed and, if necessary, surgery may be indicated to correct the problem.

7. Memory changes

Cigarette smoking is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia, both due to Alzheimer's disease and brain damage resulting from micro-strokes.

Dementia syndromes cause memory loss, which worsens over time, and can also cause changes in behavior and communication skills.

What to do: One of the ways to stimulate memory is through exercises with games of words or images, in addition to having a diet rich in omega 3, which is a substance that promotes brain health, and having a good sleep night. Check out more tips to improve memory.

8. Pregnancy complications

In the case of pregnant women who smoke or inhale excessive cigarette smoke, cigarette toxins can cause various complications, such as miscarriage, fetal growth retardation, premature birth or even baby death, so it is very important that the woman stop smoking before you become pregnant.

It is important to note the presence of bleeding, severe cramps or changes in the growth of the uterus, it is very important to do prenatal care correctly to identify any changes as early as possible.

What to do: If you see any signs of change during pregnancy that may be due to smoking, the best thing to do is to go to the obstetrician to have tests done to check if the baby is developing correctly.

See more about the risks of smoking in pregnancy.

9. Bladder cancer

Most of the carcinogenic substances present in cigarettes that enter the circulation, can reach the urinary tract and not be eliminated, also increasing the risk of developing bladder cancer, as they are in contact with these structures.

Some of the signs and symptoms that can occur in people with bladder cancer are blood in the urine, abdominal pain, urge to urinate more frequently, pain in the pelvic area and weight loss, for example. Learn more about bladder cancer symptoms.

What to do: In the presence of bladder cancer signs and symptoms, it is recommended to consult the urologist or oncologist so that tests can be carried out in order to confirm the diagnosis and verify the extent of the tumor, so that the most appropriate treatment can be indicated. recommended, which can be done with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or immunotherapy. Learn more about the treatment of bladder cancer.

10. Lung cancer

When substances in cigarettes come into contact with the thin tissues of the lungs that make the respiratory exchanges, there is a risk of developing cancer, due to the inflammation and dysfunction induced by them.

Lung cancer leads to symptoms such as shortness of breath, excessive or bloody cough and weight loss. However, cancer is often silent and only causes symptoms when it is advanced, so it is important to stop smoking as soon as possible, in addition to regular follow-up visits with the pulmonologist.

What to do: In this case, the first thing to do is to stop smoking, in addition to following the treatment guidelines recommended by the doctor. The treatment for lung cancer is defined by the oncologist according to the type, classification, size and health status of the person, and surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or photodynamic therapy, for example, may be indicated. Understand how lung cancer treatment is done.

In addition to lung and bladder cancer, smoking is responsible for increasing the risk of almost 20 types of cancer. This is because the carcinogenic substances in cigarettes are able to interfere with the genetic information of cells, in addition to causing inflammation.

Watch the following video, in which nutritionist Tatiana Zanin and Dr. Drauzio Varella talk about the harm of smoking to health:

How to avoid diseases caused by smoking

The only way to prevent these diseases is to stop smoking. Although it is difficult to give up this addiction, one must bear in mind the importance of this attitude for health, and take the first step. Check out some to stop smoking.

If it is difficult to get it alone, there are treatments that can help quit smoking, prescribed by the pulmonologist, such as nicotine patches or lozenges, in addition to the possibility of attending support groups or having psychological counseling. Normally, when you stop smoking, the risk of developing diseases associated with smoking decreases.