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Lung cancer. Those two words strike fear in every smoker, no matter how long they've been smoking. But cancer isn't the only health problem that can dramatically decrease one's quality of life. Respiratory illnesses, increased risk of heart disease, overall lower immune response and the cosmetic toll that smoking takes on one's skin ages a smoker's whole body dramatically faster than a non-smoker. What Makes Cigarette Smoking So Harmful Tobacco products, including cigars, contain more than 4,000 chemicals, many of which are poisonous. The most notable examples are arsenic, which is used in rat poison; methane, a component of rocket fuel; cadmium, a corrosion resistant element used in batteries; carbon monoxide, most notably found in car exhaust; and hydrogen cyanide, the poison used in gas chambers. While the chemicals are distributed in very small increments that don't pose an immediate fatal threat, they do produce internal damage to one's body over time. The Toll That Traditional Cigarettes Take On The Respiratory System Asthma, emphysema and other severe respiratory illnesses are common in smokers. The reason is the body's response to smoke. When an individual inhales tobacco smoke, some of the alveoli in their lungs are killed off. These alveoli, also known as air sacks, are where the oxygen in the body requires is transferred into the bloodstream. Alveoli do not grow back, so when they are destroyed, those parts of the lungs are permanently gone from one's body. Less oxygen in the bloodstream means that it is harder to participate in activities that would increase your oxygen needs including sports, dancing, and singing, leaving the smoker winded. Over time, becoming winded becomes more common and as many lifelong smokers reach retirement age, they start suffering from the ability to breathe freely without the aid of oxygen, steroids or pharmaceutical drugs. The lungs also have cilia, fine hair like bodies that move back and forth to sweep particles out of the lungs. They work as a brush to clear out dust, pollen, and other particles to keep the lungs clean. Smoking tar and tobacco paralyzes the cilia, which means that not only do dust, pollen and other contaminants build up in the lungs, but tar also collects. Tar buildup is the main cause of lung cancer. The buildup of other contaminants can create severe allergies and lower immunity to fight off infections. There's also an increased risk of heart disease and stroke, as smokers grow older. Other Unpleasant Side Effects To Smoking In this youth-obsessed society, many people are trying to stop smoking because of the toll it takes on aging. Smokers suffer from premature aging including face wrinkles, sallow dry skin and stained teeth. Other unpleasant side effects include bad odors on the body, clothes and hair of a smoker that are impossible to mask. Individuals who smoke traditional cigarettes can potentially have three times more cavities than non-smokers and are more likely to catch a cold and contract bronchitis and pneumonia than their non-smoking counterparts. Why The Situation Isn't Hopeless Many smokers have tried to kick the habit unsuccessfully. If smoking carries all of the risks above, one might reason that it would be so vital that the will to quit would be easier. But the reason most people don't succeed is their addiction to nicotine. An e-cigarette (e-cig), also known as a smokeless cigarette, allows individuals to quit smoking now traditional cigarettes and reclaim the benefits of a healthier lifestyle while still getting nicotine through inhalation. E-cigs are composed of microelectronic batteries and replaceable cartridges that contain water, propylene glycol, nicotine, and a scent that emulates the cigarette flavor. When an individual inhales from an e-cigarette, the action triggers a vaporizing process that releases a vapor mist into the lungs that harmlessly evaporates within a few seconds. The individual is not inhaling benzene, arsenic, or any of the other poisons found in regular cigarettes; they are experiencing a harmless, odorless vapor instead. A smokeless e-cig provides many benefits over their traditional tobacco counterparts. Being able to breathe easier is one virtually instantaneous benefit that many who switch experience. Other social benefits are realized: no longer having to stand outside in inclement weather conditions or feel like a fugitive when one returns from having a cigarette outside; being able to use an e-cig in non-smoking areas; and not exposing friends, family or passersby to dangerous secondhand smoke. E-cigs are a great alternative to avoid the damage done to one's body from the smoke and tar of tobacco cigarettes. If the ability to quit smoking now traditional cigarettes sounds good, it is. It's the path to changing a dangerous habit and creating a healthier lifestyle.
Article Source: http://www.relaxedreading.com
Chris Harmen is a writer for Premium Electronic Cigarette, an online retailer of electronic cigarettes. By switching to an e-cigarette, smokers can quit smoking now tobacco cigarettes.
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