From kidney stress to reduced athletic performance, the effects of nicotine are widespread. Utilizing cessation tools and understanding the timeline of recovery can help smokers successfully quit.
Smoking is well-documented as a serious hazard to your health. It is also a serious hindrance to athletic performance, as it inhibits oxygen supply to your brain, heart and muscles. In addition, smoking decreases your body's capacity to heal, weakens your skeleton and raises your blood pressure.
Read more →
Smokers who give up their nicotine addiction go through a detoxification process as the toxins from smoking begin to leave the body. New ex-smokers may experience withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, aggravation, dizziness, fatigue and sleeping difficulties.
Read more →
Cigarette use is known to carry a risk of a wide range of health problems, but it is also problematic for patients with asthma. Although a specific allergy to cigarettes is not common, the smoke can irritate preexisting allergies and is especially dangerous for those with allergic asthma.
Read more →
Bone marrow produces platelets -- also known as thrombocytes, and releases them into circulation. These small blood elements are pieces of larger cells. Platelets interact with a group of blood proteins called clotting factors to form blood clots.
Read more →
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking is the leading preventable cause of death.
Read more →
Several skin rashes that occur during pregnancy are abnormal and potentially harmful to the fetus. Whenever an unusual rash occurs in pregnancy, medical attention should be sought as soon as possible. Some of these rashes may be harmful to the fetus.
Read more →
A baby in the womb hears many sounds from the outside world, but one type of noise that gets a lot of attention from moms-to-be is music.
Read more →
Nicotine and other substances in tobacco smoke immediately affect the cardiovascular systems of smokers and those who inhale the secondhand smoke. Active cigarette smoking elevates the heart rate and blood pressure for up to 20 minutes after tobacco use, says the American Lung Association.
Read more →
Alkaline phosphatase is the term used to describe two enzymes normally found in the liver and bones. The kidney cells lining the intestine and the placenta, the organ that nourishes the growing fetus in the uterus, can also produce alkaline phosphatase.
Read more →
If you just stopped smoking, engaging in regular physical activity could help you reduce your cigarette cravings and withdrawal symptoms. However, starting a cardiovascular exercise program at a high intensity right after you quit smoking could be dangerous.
Read more →
Quitting smoking is one of the most crucial things you can do for your health. You decrease your chances of cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer, pulmonary disease and chronic infections.
Read more →
If you're a new convert to the life-saving benefits of quitting smoking, you may not just want to stop future health problems, but also reverse some of the damage already done to you by smoking. Smoking takes its toll on your lungs, your heart and blood vessels, and even your skin.
Read more →
An ulcer — also referred to as a stomach ulcer or peptic ulcer — is a sore that forms in the stomach or in the upper portion of your small intestines. Ulcers occur when the acid your stomach uses for digestion begins to eat away at the lining of your stomach and small intestines.
Read more →
Long-term cigarette smoking has progressive ill effects on the entire body. Short-term changes in heart rate and breathing patterns give way to chronic and potentially fatal health problems.
Read more →
While pregnant, no known quantity of alcohol is considered safe for the baby, therefore many obstetricians recommend that pregnant women avoid alcohol completely as soon as they know they are pregnant.
Read more →
According to Anne Frye, author of "Holistic Midwifery", there are a wide variety of causes of pain or pressure in the chest during pregnancy. Changes in the body, and an increasing size of a growing baby create symptoms of pain and pressure in the chest.
Read more →
Menthol is a natural compound found in plants such as mint, peppermint and spearmint. It is added to cigarettes to enhance flavor and for its cooling and soothing effects. A 2013 report from the U.S.
Read more →
Nicotine is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in tobacco plants. Nicotine has a physiologic effect because it binds to receptors on the neuromuscular system.
Read more →
A common bagel topping, smoked salmon is made by cutting the fish into strips, curing it in a brine and smoking it for flavor. Although it has nutritional benefits and drawbacks, smoked salmon can be part of a healthy meal if you consume it in moderation.
Read more →
Any kind of tobacco smoking is addictive and harmful. According to the National Cancer Institute, or NCI, cigar smoke contains thousands of toxic and cancer-causing chemicals. There is no safe level of cigar-smoke exposure to you and those affected by secondhand smoke.
Read more →