World Anti-tobacco Day 2024 – 10 Diseases Caused by Tobacco

Posted on: May 30, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

World Anti-tobacco Day 2024 – 10 Diseases Caused by Tobacco

It is a well-known fact that tobacco is one of the most harmful things to consume at any age. The product suppresses the immune system, causes inflammation and DNA damage, and increases blood clots in the body. Therefore, tobacco use is associated with certain fatal health conditions. However, tobacco-related diseases are preventable conditions, so it is important to stay away from this silent killer altogether.

To raise awareness about the ill effects of tobacco, 31st May is observed as World Anti-Tobacco Day every year. Therefore, if you use tobacco in any form, quit it right away for good health and well-being. Also, keeping medical inflation and life-threatening conditions in mind, it is wise to keep adequate health insurance handy. If there is a medical emergency or planned procedure, your insurance provider will cover your healthcare bills. This will help you opt for quality treatment without worrying about paying the bills from your pocket. Read on to learn about the lesser-known health conditions that tobacco can cause.

Health risks of using tobacco

Tobacco use can cause the following health conditions:

1. Cancer

2. Type 2 diabetes

3. Breathing problems

4. Heart conditions

5. Hip fractures

6. Rheumatoid arthritis

7. Ectopic pregnancy

8. Vision loss

9. Dental problems

10. Hearing loss

How does tobacco cause these health conditions?

1. Cancer:

Tobacco can affect different organs in the body and cause more than 15 types of cancers, including cancer in the lungs, liver, throat, stomach, pancreas, kidney, bladder, cervix, ovary, and bowel. Tobacco weakens the immune system and causes DNA damage over time, thereby increasing the risk of different types of cancers.

Cancer is a life-threatening condition that may require long-term and expensive treatment. If there is a family history of cancer or if you are at risk of suffering from the condition due to your job or lifestyle habits, it is wise to keep critical illness insurance handy. In case you get diagnosed with this life-threatening condition, your insurer will give you a lump sum that you can use for your treatment.

2. Type 2 diabetes:

The chemicals present in tobacco or cigarette smoke combine with oxygen in your body and cause oxidative stress and inflammation. These conditions often lead to Type 2 diabetes in tobacco users.

3. Breathing problems:

Smoking can lead to COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and restrict airflow in the lungs. Therefore, smoking can be life-threatening for people with respiratory conditions. Regular smoking can worsen existing asthma and also increase the risk of asthma in healthy individuals.

4. Heart conditions:

Smokers often suffer from life-threatening cardiovascular conditions, such as heart disease and stroke. Tobacco smoke damages the lining of the blood vessels and increases the risk of blood clots and inflammation. These issues restrict blood flow to different body parts and organs, leading to heart diseases.

5. Hip fractures:

Tobacco can also have a negative effect on your bone density. If you smoke, you lose bone density at a faster rate, and this increases the risk of different types of fractures, particularly hip fractures. Smoking increases free radicals in the body, thereby causing bone resorption or shrinkage of bones.

6. Rheumatoid arthritis:

This chronic inflammatory disease affects multiple joints in the body. The condition causes pain, stiffness and swelling and limits mobility. Smoking tobacco activates endogenous sources of free radicals, and these increase oxidative stress and inflammation of the joints or rheumatoid arthritis.

7. Ectopic pregnancy:

This is a life-threatening complication in expectant mothers. It happens when the fertilized egg implants itself outside the uterus, mostly in a fallopian tube. While the egg does not survive, the condition is life-threatening for the pregnant woman as well. The cigarette smoke enters the lungs and then the bloodstream. The blood travels to different body parts, including the reproductive tract, and causes ectopic pregnancy and other conditions.

8. Vision problems:

Smoking increases the risk of cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, dry eye syndrome, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. While these conditions can happen to non-smokers as well, smokers are more likely to experience them. Smoking affects the uvea, the middle layer of the eye, and causes pain, red eye, blurry or distorted vision, and even vision loss.

9. Dental problems:

Smoking can lead to a gum disease called periodontitis. This disease affects the bone that supports the teeth, leading to tooth sensitivity or tooth loss. Also, if you get a gum disease, continuing to smoke will delay the healing process.

10. Hearing loss:

Smoking restricts blood flow to the inner part of the ears. It can also irritate and inflame the eustachian tubes. This tube performs vital functions, such as draining fluids from the middle ear and balancing air pressure inside the ears. Therefore, reduced blood flow and inflammation of the eustachian tubes can lead to hearing loss.

Data substantiating the adverse impact of smoking tobacco

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), tobacco kills over 8 million people every year, including non-smokers. While around 7 million people die due to direct tobacco use, about 1.3 million deaths happen when non-smokers are exposed to second-hand smoke or passive smoking.

Conclusion

Tobacco undoubtedly is one of the worst products for your health. It is a significant threat to the public as it kills millions of people around the world every year. The condition is life-threatening for smokers as well as non-smokers who get exposed to second-hand smoke regularly. Tobacco is harmful in any form; therefore, avoiding this product altogether is vital for our well-being. Also, whether you are a smoker or non-smoker, you must keep a comprehensive health insurance policy handy. This insurance product will offer much-needed financial support during medical emergencies and save you from unnecessary monetary setbacks.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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