Women and Cigarette smoking
by Linda Granadino, posted on 2009-10-20 18:58:26
Did you know that smoking is the leading underlying cause of PREVENTABLE death in the U.S. and a leading risk factor of heart disease? The key word, as if I didn't make it clear enough, is “preventable.” Every day, we take preventable measure without even thinking about it, such as wearing a seatbelt, buying car insurance, medical insurance, warranties, using condoms, anti age-creams, etc. Why should smoking be any different? It shouldn't, especially with the significant side effects smoking causes to women's health. If you're not convinced yet here are a few more reasons you should take preventable measures.
The most common side effects of smoking cigarettes
Pulmonary and Respiratory Disorders:
Smoking increases your risk of developing a condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The lung damage that occurs from pulmonary disease is not often reversible. However, if you do quit smoking your lung function will not decline further, and you may notice an improvement in coughing and breathing.
Cardiovascular disease:
Cigarette smoking is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease in the United States. Women who smoke more than double their risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Immediately stopping smoking can result in instant improvement in your cardiovascular function and a reduced risk of heart disease. After smoking cessation has continued for at least a year, your risk of developing cardiovascular disease drops by 50 percent. Your risk continues to decline the more years you remain smoke free. Some studies suggest the heart attack risk for smoker's drops to that of nonsmokers after two years of cessation.
Cancer:
Cigarette smoking contributes to developing several different kinds of cancer, including cervical cancer, lung cancer, cancer of the esophagus, mouth, bladder and pancreas. Smoking cessation can improve your survival rate and reduce your risk of developing severe cancers resulting from smoking.
Osteoporosis:
Smoking contributes to bone loss, thus increases a woman's risk for developing osteoporosis. 10 years after smoking cessation a woman's excess risk for osteoporosis declines significantly.
Breast Cancer:
Women who smoke are more at risk for breast cancer. In fact, the risk of developing fatal forms of breast cancer is 75 percent higher for women who smoke than those that do not. The number of cigarettes a woman smokes per day can affect their breast cancer survival rate.
Vulvar Cancer:
Women who smoke are also 48 percent more likely to develop a rare form of vulvar cancer.
Courtesy of: www.WomensHealthCareTopics.com
Comments from members0 comment |
|---|
