Effects of Smoking on Integumentary, Reproductive and Digestive Systems

While it may not seem obvious, smoking can lead to a lot of hazardous effects on almost all organ systems of the human body.

Skin, Nails and Hair

To begin with, let's look at the effects of smoking on the skin, nails and hair. The skin for instance is one of the human organs which shows some of the very obvious signs of addction to smoking. The components in tobacco smoke are actually capable of changing the structure of your skin.

Smoke causes wrinkles, premature aging as well as skin discoloration. The fingernails as well as the skin close to the fingers can show yellow stains from long durations of holding cigarettes. A lot of times, yellow or brown stains can develop on the teeth of smokers. One of the major tell-tale signs of active as well as passive smoking is the smell of tobacco held by the human hair, long after putting out the cigarette or leaving the smoking area.

Sexuality and Reproductive System

Sexuality of the human beings is one of the very important aspects of human interaction. As we already know, smoking can cause restricted blood flow. It can thus cause erectile dysfunctioning (inability of a man to get an erection). Similarly it can cause early menopause in women who smoke. It also increases the risk of cervical cancer in women.

Both men and women smokers have a higher risk of infertility as well as difficulty in achieving orgasms. Smoking also leads to more complications in pregnancy. Some of these dire consequences may include premature babies, placental problems, or even miscarriage. 

It is not just active smoing that causes harful effects to pregnant mothers. Even second hand smoke can cause low birth weight in babies, if a pregnant mother is exposed to it. Not to say that the risk of low birth weight is far higher in the babies that are born to mothers who smoke during their pregnancy. Such babies can also suffer from birth defects, SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), ear infections and asthma attacks.

It’s not just the adults that suffer from hazards of smoking, but even newborns as well as unborn babies that suffer from the second hand smoke.

Gastro Vascular / Digestive System

 

Oral problems are frequently found in smokers. They are highly prone to multiple medical conditions of the oral cavity that can range from gingivitis (gum inflammation) or infection (periodontitis) to even the cancer of esophagus, larynx, throat or mouth. There’s an even higher probability of tooth loss, bad breath and tooth decay.

 

When it comes to cancers, it doesn’t stop at the oral / buccal cavity or the entrance of the gastro-intestinal tract. Smokers have an increased risk of pancreatic and kidney cancers too. Contrary to the popular belief, even cigar smokers who do not inhale have a higher risk of mouth cancer.

 

 

Smoking has an effect on insulin. It increases the chances of insulin resistance, thus causing an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Smoker diabetics tend to develop complications at a faster rate. Smoking can also suppress appetite and thus causing malnutrition.

 

This month’s series of articles are intended to highlight upon how smoking causes not just the lungs and moth to be harmed but almost all organ systems of the human body. This is despite the fact that we haven’t even taken into account various other forms of tobacco consumption yet. At Core Cancer Foundation, we will continue to bring to you information regarding cancers, smoking, tobacco and how to stay safe. Do share your inputs with us!