Tobacco and Your Health

The straight facts about tobacco and your health.

Tobacco use continues to be popular even though its effects on peoples health are well known facts. This powerfully addictive substance has a grip on many people who either don't know, or who chose to ignore the warnings relating to its use. Smoking tobacco alters your brain, your physical body and in some peoples cases their mental state. It is one of the most dangerous and addictive substances that people abuse. 

Smoking Effects

People who smoke tobacco enjoy it because of the effect the nicotine in tobacco has on their mind and body. Smokers feel relaxed by the act of smoking and often say that it helps reduce there anxieties and stress. However, when people over use tobacco it can act as a stimulant, leaving users with an abundance of nervous energy. Many smokers also claim that smoking helps to control their appetite and they worry that if they quit smoking they will gain a substantial amount of weight.

The Effects of Tobacco on Health

When people smoke tobacco the hormone adrenaline is released into their brains, causing a variety of symptoms including rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure and shallow breathing. Another side effect of adrenaline being released, is that your body releases glucose into your blood. These are all a part of our body's natural way of defending against dangerous situations, but when this reaction occurs unnecessarily we are often left with an abundance of pent up energy.

Tobacco use can also effect the amount of insulin your body releases. The job of insulin in our body is to remove excess glucose in the blood and when the nicotine from tobacco reduces your insulin level it can lead to some people who smoke becoming hyperglycemic. Many individuals may also notice a reduction in their appetite when they smoke. Often this is caused by this insulin imbalance.

The bodies metabolic rate is sometimes effected by smoking tobacco. The nicotine in tobacco does have some ability to increase the calories some people burn while sedentary. Smoking tobacco also increases your bad cholesterol level. High cholesterol can contribute to heart attack and increase your risk of having a stroke. People who smoke tobacco are also more likely to develop high blood pressure and heart disease.

People who use tobacco are also at an increased risk of developing lung diseases like emphysema or COPD. Smoking tobacco can lead to permanent lung damage in some cases. In most cases people who develop smoking related lung disease or COPD live with these conditions for the rest of their lives. Tobacco smoking also increases their chances of developing lung cancer and a variety of other types of cancer. People diagnosed with lung cancer only have around a 15% survival rate.

There are no positive benefits of smoking tobacco. Not only is tobacco an addictive substance, but it can destroy your life. The use of Tobacco can seriously effect your health and possibly take your life.