Blog reactions to http://sdetox.net
Blog posts linking to http://sdetox.net on Technorati.
Hosted by InMotionHosting
Posts Tagged ‘cancer’
S’Detox blogging at Technorati
Sunday, December 7th, 2008
Harmful Effects of Smoking
Wednesday, November 19th, 2008Heart Disease and Stroke
Smoking causes fatty deposits to build up in the blood vessels, leaving them narrow or blocked. This leads to heart disease or stroke. About 40% of deaths due to heart disease before the age of 65 are related to smoking.
Cancer
Cigarette smoke contains more than 50 cancer-causing substances.
Smoking is the most common, preventable cause of lung cancer. Smokers are 22 times more likely to develop lung cancer. 90% of all lung cancer cases in Singaporean males occur among smokers.
The longer one smokes, the greater the risk of developing cancers such as cervical and breast cancer, cancer of the mouth, throat, larynx, pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, pancreas, kidney and bladder.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) / Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COLD)
Smoking narrows the airways and destroys the air sacs in the lungs. This makes breathing difficult. Smoking is the most common cause of COPD/COLD, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. COPD/COLD is the 6th largest cause of death in Singapore.
Bone Loss and Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to lose density and become brittle, leading to hip, spine and wrist fractures.
Women who smoke are 50% more likely to suffer from osteoporosis than non-smokers.
Re-productive and Sexual Health
Smoking increases the risk of infertility in both men and women.
Men
Smokers are 50% more likely to suffer from impotence or erectile dysfunction.
Smoking reduces the volume of ejaculation, lowers sperm count, distorts sperm shape and impairs sperm mobility.
Women
Women who smoke may experience early menopause and more menopausal symptoms.
Smoking may lead to decreased egg counts due to destruction of eggs in the ovaries before the eggs reach maturity.
Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm delivery, and low birth weight. The smoke inhaled (either directly from a cigarette or from second-hand smoke) by a pregnant woman goes directly to her baby’s lungs. It prevents as much as 25 % of oxygen from reaching the placenta.
Second-hand Smoke
About 90% of the smoke from every cigarette ends up in the air as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS).
ETS
Causes lung cancer in people who have never smoked before.Â
Causes heart attack, especially among the spouses of smokers.
ETS also increases the risk of repeated heart attacks if one has suffered from heart attack before.
Increases the risk of heart disease, lung disease, asthma, allergies, sinus problems, blood vessel disease or worsen the symptoms if one is already suffering from these.
Harmful Chemicals in Cigarettes
Tuesday, November 18th, 2008
Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals. At least 400 are poisonous and more than 50 are cancer-causing.
The main components of tobacco smoke are:
Â
TAR
Tar is a black and sticky residue used to cover road surfaces. It clogs up the lungs and causes lung cancer. It contains many cancer-causing substances such as:
Benzo(a)pyrene:
found in emissions from burned plant and petroleum products
B-napthylamine:
used in the manufacture of dyes, condensation colours and rubber
Cadmium:
a poisonous chemical that can cause liver, kidney and brain damage, commonly found in car batteries
Nitrosamine:
found in harsh detergents; commonly used as an engine degreaser
NICOTINE
Nicotine is a powerful and addictive drug. It acts as a stimulant, causing your heart rate and blood pressure to soar. It increases the stickiness of blood and decrease the diameter of blood vessels, increasing the risk of stroke and heart attacks.
CARBON MONOXIDE
This is the same gas found in car exhaust smoke. Carbon monoxide robs your muscles, brain and body tissue of oxygen, making your heart work harder. This can cause heart attacks or stroke. Over time, your airways swell up and let less air into your lungs. This is why smokers suffer from shortness of breath and lack of stamina.
Other harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke
Acetone:
used in nail polish remover and paint stripper
Ammonia:
used in the dry cleaning industry
Arsenic:
a deadly poison used in pest control and insecticides
Benzene:
a cancer-causing agent used in the production of fuel and chemicals
DDT:
a pesticide used to kill insects
Formaldehyde:
a known cancer-causing substance used to preserve dead bodies
Hydrogen Cyanide:
a poison used in gas chambers
Napthalene:
a killer ingredient found in mothballs
Polonium-210:
a radioactive substance
Vinyl Chloride:
a chemical used to make plastic
Benefits to quit smoking
Monday, November 17th, 2008If you are a smoker, the best decision you can make for your own and loved ones’ interests is to quit smoking. It takes a lot of courage to make the first step to decide to quit smoking but you will definitely gain from your decision. Read on to know the multiple benefits of kicking the habit and helpful tips to quit smoking for good.
Benefits Of Giving Up Smoking
Health Benefits:
Giving up smoking definitely benefits the health of both men and women of all ages. Abstinence from smoking for a short span of time can even yield some positive health results as indicated in the table below.
Within 20 minutes
• Blood pressure decreases
• Body temperature of hands and feet increases
• Pulse rate drops
Within 8 hours
• Carbon monoxide and nicotine levels in the blood decrease (to normal level)
• Oxygen level in the blood increases (to normal level)
Within 24 hours
• The risk of heart attack decreases
• The lungs will start to clear out mucus and toxin
Within 2 - 12 weeks
• Blood circulation improves
• Exercising and walking become easier
• Lung function increases
Within 1 - 9 months
• The tendency to have shortness of breath, sinus congestion, cough and fatigue will decrease
Within 1 year
• Risk of heart attack will decrease to half, as compared to a smoker
Within 5 - 10 years
• Risk of stroke and coronary heart disease will be reduced to that of someone who has never smoked
• Risk of lung cancer will decrease to about half of that of a smoker
Want to know more about Quit Smoking products?
