[Lifestyle] This is what happens to the body if you’ve been a smoker for years

[-_-Moltres-_-]

 

You cough, your breath feels tight, and climbing a flight of stairs leaves you winded. These could be signs of everyday life, but for long-term smokers, they can be a chilling reminder of the damage inflicted on their bodies. Years of cigarette use leave a long shadow, impacting nearly every organ system. The harmful chemicals in cigarettes, including tar, nicotine, and over 7000 carcinogens, take a heavy toll on your body over time, said Dr Sai Reddy, Consultant Pulmonologist at Yashoda Hospitals Hyderabad. He highlighted the increased risk of various cancers, predominantly lung cancer but also mouth, throat, oesophagus, pancreas, and bladder cancers. “The cardiovascular system also suffers, with a heightened risk of coronary artery disease, hypertension, and stroke. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, and emphysema are just some of the respiratory illnesses that plague long-term smokers,” he said. The body under siege Dr Murarji Ghadge, Consultant ENT and Sleep Disorder Specialist at Ruby Hall Clinic Pune, elaborated on the specific ways long-term smoking wreaks havoc on various bodily systems:Respiratory System: COPD, with its persistent cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties, is a common consequence. The risk of lung cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, is significantly elevated. Cardiovascular System: Smoking hardens and narrows arteries (atherosclerosis), paving the way for heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral artery disease. Additionally, it raises the risk of high blood pressure and blood clots.

https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/life-style/what-happens-smoker-health-risks-no-tobacco-day-9363509/