Tobacco use is one of the biggest public health challenges worldwide and has become one of the main risk factors for diseases such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), the third leading cause of death in the country.
Each year, more than eight million people die from tobacco, of which seven million are caused by direct consumption and more than one million by secondhand smoke.
In Colombia, for its part, in the last 10 years more than 400,000 people have died from tobacco.
The harmful effects of mountains have been studied for decades. WHO estimates that tobacco kills up to half of smokers and therefore, in recent years, global awareness activities have been introduced in the associated risks, as well as in the impact on the prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
What is exposed by consuming tobacco?
The act of smoking or the intake of tobacco creates great damage to the respiratory tract and the air sacs in the lungs, leading the consumer to face serious long-term health problems such as COPD, which represents the third cause of death in Colombia. with a balance of more than 6,000 deaths each year.
COPD is a chronic, common, preventable and treatable disease that affects the respiratory tract, limiting normal air circulation through the lungs and the main cause of exposure to tobacco smoke, responsible for 70% of cases in Colombia. It is also estimated that the possibility of developing COPD by a smoker is between 25% and 30%.
What do you smoke quietly?
The habit of smoking affects the health of the smoker in many ways, damage to almost all organs of the body and various diseases. Some of the negative effects of tobacco use are:
– decreased function of the immune system
– increased risk of type 2 diabetes
– Premature aging of the skin
– The risk of lung cancer increases and is a risk factor for cancers: mouth, larynx, pharynx (throat), esophagus, kidney, among others.
– lower bone density, which creates a greater risk of bone fracture.
– Increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis.
You can stop smoking!
Although the tobacco habit can be difficult to break, there are several ways. The first thing you should do is consult your doctor about the best alternative and the right smoking cessation program that fits your needs.
Withdrawal syndrome can be overcome; The medical community is here to help.
There are many reasons to quit smoking, because the results are visible even in a short time.
Here are some examples to start from today;
– After a few minutes: Reduces heart rate.
– After 24 hours: reduces the level of nicotine and carbon monoxide in the blood.
– Between 1 and 12 months: reduces cough and shortness of breath
– Between 1 to 2 years: Reduces the risk of heart attack
