Cigarettes are one of the biggest enemies of health as a whole. Although it is often associated with lung and brain problems, its risks go much further. Smoking can even cause various damages to the body, mainly to the metabolism, skin, hair, reproductive system, heart, kidneys and peripheral circulation. Understand how it happens with expert explanations. Check it out:
Nutrient absorption problems
Smoking habit can even influence the nutritional aspects of the body. “By acting on the central nervous system, cigarettes cause a decrease in appetite, because they affect the activity of neurotransmitters responsible for controlling hunger, in addition to modifying taste and smell, reducing the taste and aroma of food,” explains nutritionist Dr. Marcella Garcez, director and professor of the Brazilian Nutrology Association (ABRAN).
“In addition, cigarettes promote a thermogenic effect, accelerating metabolism, which leads to weight loss and reduces oxygenation of body tissues, causing premature and accelerated aging,” warns the doctor.
Skin inflammation and complications after aesthetic treatments
Cigarettes are also not good for skin health. “Smoking accelerates aging, because the toxic substances present in cigarettes cause peripheral vasoconstriction, reducing blood flow to the skin tissues, which affects the supply of nutrients to this region. This has consequences in the loss of radiance and luminosity of the skin and, in addition, promotes the yellowing of the tissues. There is also a loss of firmness due to the decrease in oxygenation and nutrition”, comments Dr. Mônica Aribi, dermatologist and full member of the Brazilian Society of Dermatology.
Anyone undergoing surgery or cosmetic procedures should also avoid smoking. “This is due to the fact that there is a higher incidence of surgical complications in smoking patients due to vasoconstriction caused by smoking, including pulmonary thrombosis, infection, hematoma, tissue necrosis and scar quality problems,” explains plastic surgeon Dr. Beatriz Lassance, full member of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery.
“Some studies indicate an up to four-fold increase in the number of complications and complications resulting from smoking, both at the respiratory level and the risk of necrosis and difficulty healing the operated area, for example,” he adds.
Scalp and hair damage
Smoking can also damage your scalp and, in turn, your hair. “Toxic substances present in cigarettes can cause vasoconstriction, thus reducing oxygenation and the supply of nutrients essential for the maintenance and proper growth of hair,” explains Dr. Jaqueline Zmijevski, dermatologist at the Brazilian Society of Dermatology (SBD). “In addition, cigarettes leave hair yellow and opaque due to oxidation,” he adds.
Smoking impacts fertility
Cigarette smoking is one of the main causes of infertility, since the toxic components present in the product, such as nicotine and tar, seriously deteriorate the quality of reproduction. “In women, smoking is capable of promoting the deterioration of eggs, aging them by up to ten years and accelerating the onset of menopause. In fact, this is particularly harmful nowadays, because women want to get pregnant later and later,” warns Dr. Rodrigo Rosa, human reproduction specialist and clinical director of Clínica Mater Prime.
In men, smoking reduces sperm count and fragments sperm DNA. This, in turn, reduces the capacity for fertilization, in addition to also contributing to loss of sexual appetite and erectile dysfunction, explains the professional.
Harmful to the heart
Nephrologist and critical care physician Dr. Caroline Reigada advises that every time you inhale cigarette smoke, your heart rate and blood pressure temporarily increase. “Your heart has to beat harder and faster than normal. Cholesterol levels are also out of control because cigarette smoke increases levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) and a fat in the blood called triglycerides. This causes a buildup of fatty plaque in your arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack,” the doctor explains.
Quitting smoking is therefore a great way to improve heart health. According to studies, just 20 minutes after stopping, your blood pressure and heart rate decrease. “After 2 to 3 weeks, your blood circulation begins to improve. After a year without cigarettes, you have half the risk of suffering from heart disease than when you smoked. After 5 years, the risk is almost the same as someone who has never lit a cigarette,” explains Caroline.
Cigarettes cause kidney disease and kidney cancer
Smoking is one of the main risk factors that can lead to end-stage kidney disease, explains nephrologist Dr. Caroline. She lists some of the possible ways that smoking can be harmful:
- Increased blood pressure and heart rate;
- Reduced blood flow to the kidneys;
- Increased production of angiotensin II (a hormone produced in the kidney);
- Narrowing of blood vessels in the kidneys;
- Damage to arterioles (secondary arteries);
- Formation of arteriosclerosis (thickening and hardening) of the renal arteries;
- Acceleration of loss of kidney function.
According to the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP), studies show that smoking can cause the progression of kidney disease and increase the risk of proteinuria (excessive amount of protein in the urine), adds the nephrologist.
Changes to peripheral circulation
Traffic is one of the structures that suffers most from smoking. “Smoking can cause circulatory problems such as arteriosclerosis and thromboangiitis obliterans, a disorder that affects the extremities of the body. In both cases there is a risk of having to amputate limbs, such as legs, feet and hands,” explains vascular surgeon Dr. Aline Lamaita, member of the Brazilian Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery (SBACV).
Additionally, nicotine is linked to a decrease in blood vessel thickness, similar to how carbon monoxide reduces the concentration of oxygen in the blood. “This whole process can cause complications for the normal functioning of the vessels, which are more likely to become blocked, which can lead to thrombosis processes, especially when there are risk factors,” emphasizes the specialist.
How to quit smoking
Quitting smoking is not a simple task. “Studies show that only 15% of people who try to quit smoking without professional help are successful. Smoking is closely linked to the habit, of course there is a chemical dependency linked to stress, but when a person can identify the trigger that makes them want to smoke, they can try to stop those triggers or even change their response,” explains Dr. Beatriz Lassance.
“Look for any activity that gives you pleasure. Try to start physical activity, it is the greatest antioxidant there is. The energy consumption of the body in movement forces our body to produce enormous antioxidants, which protects us from the action of free radicals, and also helps reduce anxiety. Any physical activity is important. The more muscles you move, the better,” concludes Dr. Beatriz.
About The Author
