Why should you quit smoking?
Tobacco contains more than 7000 different chemicals. These chemicals are released in the form of smoke particles and gases.
Cigarette smoke passes through cigarette filter. These cigarette filters traps partially burned tobacco called tar. But some tar enters mouth which results in staining of teeth. The inner portion of mouth and vocal cords also get stained.
Once cigarrete smoke passes the upper airway it reaches the lower airway.
Lower airways are lined by cilia. Cilia are tiny hair like projections that removes debris and bacteria out of lungs.
Hydrogen cyanide is a poisonous gas which works together with tar to paralyse cilia.
If cilia stop its function the cigarette particles can move into the deeper part of the lung i.e alveoli.
- Gas exchange occurs in alveoli, i.e absorbing oxygen into the blood and removing carbon dioxide from the blood.
This occurs with the help of haemoglobin. Haemoglobin carries oxygen to the rest of the body.
Cigarette smoke also contains a poisonous gas, carbon monoxide. It locks off oxygen from haemoglobin and instead takes its place. As a result, cells get deprived of oxygen and in turn leads to inflammatory response.
There will be an increase in mucous production and narrowing of the airways occurs, making it difficult to breath.
The remaining chemicals are absorbed into the blood stream and circulates in the body.
So smoking is always injurious to health.
BY,
DR. RENJU T GEORGE,
INDIA
