Take a Trip with Toxins

HEALTH TAKE A TRIP WITH TOXINS

story and photos by Jessica Curbelo

If Dr. Scott Tomar had to wager a bet, he would say most adults have smoked a cigarette.

Once someone smokes a whole pack, their odds of becoming a regular smoker spikes dramatically, he said. And so do their odds of developing health issues.

Tomar, a University of Florida dentistry professor who researches the effects of tobacco, followed the path of tobacco through the body to highlight effects regular smokers might experience.

MOUTH

Most know about stained teeth, but Tomar said it’s the least of people’s worries.

Smoking is the major cause of periodontitis, an inflammation of dental structures. Smokers will likely see symptoms before any other smoking-related illnesses appear. The gums and bone support deteriorate — and once it’s gone, it’s usually gone for good.

Without healthy support, teeth become loose and develop infections, risking eventual tooth loss. Tomar said smokers have more difficulties with dental implants and other replacement methods. However, quitting can prevent further damage.

THROAT

Down the throat carcinogens go, triggering chronic inflammation. That smoker’s cough you’ve heard about? That’s one sign. If caught early, smokers can quit and improve symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath.

But it’s in carcinogens' nature to damage DNA. Tumors can form, and smokers are at an increased risk for laryngeal and pharyngeal cancers.

“When you get to that stage, quitting smoking is not going to reverse that kind of cellular-level damage,” Tomar said. “It needs some type of intervention, either surgical or otherwise.”

“There's no other consumer product in the world that comes remotely close to the negative impact that smoking has.”

On average, Tomar said about 15% of long-term smokers develop lung cancer, but a higher percentage has generally weak lungs.

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), about 75% of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were smokers. The disease makes breathing difficult, affecting the entire body. Among other problems, people may have trouble eating enough food because of this. And there is no cure for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BLOOD AND HEART

Not only can the lungs have a harder time taking in oxygen, but blood can also have a harder time transporting it. Smoking can lead to atherosclerosis, a disease where plaque builds up, which causes arteries to narrow. According to NHLBI, this limits the amount of oxygen-rich blood that organs receive, compromising its ability to function.

When combined with other factors such as high blood pressure or unhealthy cholesterol levels, smoking can cause heart disease, chest pain, heart attack, heart failure and stroke.

BRAIN

Smoking is a hard addiction to quit. According to Healthline, the nicotine in cigarettes causes chemical changes in the brain, leading to withdrawal symptoms. Someone trying to quit may feel irritable or anxious and crave nicotine.

Smokers have a higher risk of developing cognitive impairment or dementia, which affects a person’s memory and behavior. Tomar said smoking can also lead to a brain aneurysm where a blood vessel ruptures and causes an internal bleed.

THE REST OF THE BODY AND LIFE

On average, Tomar said smokers lose about eight to 12 years of life. Those who live longer have a dramatically reduced quality of life. Long-term smoking can affect the immune system, eyesight, reproductive health and more. It has also recently been added as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes.

“There's no other consumer product in the world that comes remotely close to the negative impact that smoking has,” he said.

While people who want to quit experiment with other forms of nicotine such as vapes, there’s a risk of becoming addicted to both unless someone addresses the behavioral aspects of addiction too, Tomar said. People who want to quit should work with an experienced counselor. O&B