Smoking

Name:

Tutor:

Course:

Date:

Smoking

Introduction

Smoking has become one of the largest causes of preventable deaths in the world. For instance, in England, there are more than 80,000 deaths caused per year, and one out of two smokers is likely to die from smoking related illnesses and conditions. In the United States alone, about 128 out of every 100 people over the age of 18 smoke cigarettes. Studies also reveal that there are more than 480,000 smoking related deaths each year. Indeed this large figure can be greatly reduced and controlled. It is evident that smoking is one of the biggest causes of death among other devastating health effects.

Discussion

Smoking is one of the leading causes of heart failure and other conditions. Scientific research reveals that the nicotine and the carbon monoxide from the cigarette smoke make the heart work faster thus straining it. Other chemicals in the cigarettes also cause damage to the lining of the blood vessels such as coronary arteries, which causes furring. This largely increases the risk of coronary heart diseases, and peripheral vascular disease (Bernhard 14). Other effects include cerebro-vascular disease, which adversely affects the brain due to the damaged arteries responsible for supplying blood the brain. Additionally, smoking causes blood clots in the blood vessels, which are a trigger to heart attacks and interference with blood circulation.

Smoking causes an individual to have embarrassing conditions such as bad breath, stained teeth, and gum diseases. These affect the sense of taste, which is important to human beings. Other effects in the mouth and throat include cancers of the lips, esophagus, throat, tongue, and the voice box. Studies reveal that more than 90% of throat related cancers are caused by smoking. The process of developing cancers related to smoking is gradual and steady and may go undetected for several years (Gilbert 34). Cancers are fatal and devastating to the ailing individual as well as the family members. The effects of cancer are not only physical but also psychological and economical.

Smoking causes strokes and other fatal brain conditions. A smoker doubles their risk of getting a stroke and brain damage. Smoking increases the risk of developing a condition known as brain aneurysm. This is a bulge or swelling in the blood vessels that are caused by physiological weaknesses in the blood vessels. These weaknesses are because of the chemicals in the smoke. The vessels may rupture and cause a fatal condition called subarachnoid hemorrhage. This stroke occurs on the surface of the brain and has symptoms such as a stiff neck, seizures, double vision, and sharp sensitivity to light (Kakarieka 21). Additionally, smoking wears out the cortex, which is the part of the brain that performs processes such as perception, language, and memory. Brain scans from smokers have revealed that smokers stand a higher chance of experiencing mental decline than non-smokers.

Conclusion

It is evident that smoking causes a myriad of complications and death. These conditions include heart failures, strokes, brain damages, various cancers, embarrassing conditions such as bad breath, loss of sense of taste, and mental decline where one experiences memory loss. These conditions and illnesses can be prevented largely. For instance, if a smoker stops smoking for a period of one year, they half reduce the risk of heart failure and other coronary diseases. With lung conditions, a period of not smoking generally improves their condition as the body recovers. Therefore, the only way to prevent suffering from smoking related conditions is to stop smoking.

Works Cited

Bernhard, David. Cigarette Smoke Toxicity. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, 2011. Print.

Gilbert, David G. Smoking. Washington, DC: Taylor and Francis, 2014. Print.

Kakarieka, A. Traumatic Subarachnoid Haemorrhage. Berlin: Springer, 2012. Print.