The negative effects of smoking during working life: Why is it so difficult to quit? And your body is worse off than you think.
Did you know that working-age people are the biggest smokers in the country? And even if you smoke only a few cigarettes a day, “The harmful effects of smoking during working life” It is slowly destroying your body without you knowing it. This article will take you to know about The profound effects that cigarettes have on both working-age men and women With self-care guidelines that understand those who “can’t quit yet” but are ready to start rehabilitating their bodies.
Are you one of those people who want to quit smoking but can't? You know that cigarettes are harmful to your health, but getting over the habit and craving for nicotine is not easy. However, quitting smoking is "not impossible" and these days, your "heart" and "blood vessels" may be silently breaking down from the first cigarette you light each day.
The smoking situation among working-age people is more worrying than expected.
Data from the National Statistical Office and the Tobacco Control Plan found that The working age group of 25-59 years has the highest smoking rate in the Thai population. It is approximately 23.5 percent and most recently in 2023, the Thai Health Report stated that 1 in 5 working people smokes daily.
Of concern is that smoking rates are significantly higher in men than in women.Men smoke about 18-20 times more than women, and the number of new smokers is increasing by 200,000-300,000 per year. Most of these are male. These figures reflect that the problem of smoking among working-age people is not a distant issue and is affecting the health of many people in the country.
Quitting smoking: Why is it so difficult and dangerous?
Many people know that smoking is bad for their health, but they still can't quit. Some people may think that their bodies are still able to handle it, or that smoking a few cigarettes is fine. This is actually a misunderstanding because nicotine In cigarettes, there are stimulants that make you feel alert and relaxed. They also stimulate the secretion of Dopamine It is a substance of happiness that causes addiction, making it impossible to stop, similar to being addicted to games, alcohol or gambling.
The health effects that cigarettes have on your body
Smoking is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, emphysema, and lung cancer. These effects affect both men and women, but the details vary by gender. Here are some examples of the negative effects of smoking in working age that should not be overlooked.
Impact on men's health
Smoking affects your overall health, especially in men.
Vascular problems: Nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict immediately upon smoking, resulting in a spike in blood pressure and a rapid heart rate. Increases the risk of acute cardiovascular disease, even if you smoke just 1-2 cigarettes a day. It also significantly increases the risk of heart attack compared to non-smokers. Cigarettes also contain very high levels of heavy metals. Especially cadmium and lead, which cause blood vessels to harden, affecting blood flow to various organs.
Male hormone problems: Smoking stimulates the adrenal glands and steadily increases cortisol (stress hormone) levels. When the adrenal glands are fatigued, it can affect the production of testosterone. In addition, volatile chemicals, especially Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), directly disrupt male hormones, causing them to decrease in levels. Affects sperm quality and infertility
Erectile dysfunction (ED)This is a problem that many men worry about. It is caused by damaged blood vessels and a decrease in male hormones, which can cause inability to achieve a full erection, a short-term erection, or a reluctance to have sex.
Cigarettes damage small blood vessels (Microvascular Damage): The penis needs good blood flow to be fully erect. Nicotine and the toxins in cigarettes cause blood vessels to constrict and become harder. Erections are therefore reduced in both hardness and duration. Have you ever had an erection?Research has found that men who smoke have a 50-60% higher risk of erectile dysfunction (ED).
Reduces the production of testosteroneNicotine disrupts the hormonal system, reducing testosterone production, which is directly related to sexual desire. This results in decreased desire, fatigue, and a lack of arousal.
Accelerate the aging of the reproductive systemCigarettes increase the production of free radicals, which damage cells, affect erections, sperm quality, and long-term prostate health.
Although women smoke less frequently than men, the health effects are just as severe, and in some cases, they are more severe than men.
complexion: Skin becomes wrinkled, dry, and more easily damaged by UV rays, causing premature aging and the appearance of wrinkles. Women who smoke tend to “age” about 10 years faster than women who don’t smoke.
Hormonal system fluctuations: Nicotine and toxins in cigarettes interfere with the functioning of female hormones (estrogen). Causes irregular menstruation Menstrual cycle is shorter or hassymptomSevere PMSUpward increases riskPremature menopause (Menopause before age 45)
Infertility: Egg quality decreases, reducing the chance of pregnancy, increasing the risk of miscarriage and infertility (if you are pregnant and smoke, it increases the risk of low birth weight, miscarriage and premature birth).
Thin bones, risk of early osteoporosisSmoking reduces calcium absorption (as estrogen levels decline more rapidly, it increases the risk of premature “bone thinning”).
Cancer in women: Increased risk of cervical cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer than women who do not smoke. Even if you smoke just 1-2 cigarettes a day, you are at risk.
For working women, smoking causes internal and external organs to age an average of 10 years prematurely.
Increases the risk of lung cancer 10 times more than non-smokers.
Increases the risk of cervical cancer by 4 times and breast cancer by 25 percent.
Increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart failure, and sudden heart attack.
Women who smoke and use birth control pills have a 39-fold increased risk of coronary artery disease or heart attack and a three-fold higher risk of death than non-smokers who use birth control pills.
Dangerous chemicals in cigarettes: PAHs, the villains you need to know about
In addition to nicotine, cigarettes are packed with many harmful chemicals that can wreak havoc on your health. One of them is: PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons), a group 1 carcinogen classified by the World Health Organization as the most dangerous substances. When PAHs enter the body, they bind to DNA, causing mutations that lead to the development of several serious cancers, such as lung, bladder, and liver cancers.
in addition PAHs also directly damage the reproductive system, either by reducing sperm count in men or by impairing egg quality in women. Importantly, these substances also accelerate the accumulation of fat in the blood vessels and cause hardening of the arteries, putting you at a higher risk of acute cardiovascular disease at any time.
Are e-cigarettes better than traditional cigarettes? Don't get me wrong!
Many people may think that e-cigarettes are a safer alternative to cigarettes, but in fact, Whether it's e-cigarettes or cigarettes, they all have negative health effects. And there is no safe alternative. 100% The harmful effects of smoking during working age are not limited to traditional cigarettes, but also extend to e-cigarettes.
Cigarettes: Besides nicotine, there are other harmful chemicals such as tar and carbon monoxide which are the main culprits.Destroys the lining of blood vessels and lungs, reduces the body's immune system. and increase the chance of oral and respiratory infections
Electronic cigarettes (E-Cigarettes): Even without combustion, it still contains high levels of nicotine, which is just as addictive. It also contains other carcinogens such as formaldehyde, irritants such as acrolein, and heavy metals such as lead, nickel, and chromium. These substances have severe adverse effects on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. It also increases the risk of life-threatening acute pulmonary edema (EVALI) and lung cancer.
Start taking care of yourself and quit smoking today for better health.
Quitting smoking may not be easy, but starting to take care of yourself and understanding its effects is an important step towards better health. If you can't quit smoking immediately or want to take care of your health alongside it,Reduction, cessation, and cessation You can follow these guidelines.
Reduce the amount of smoking: Gradually reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke per day. Setting realistic goals will help you achieve long-term success.
Find a nicotine substitute: Chewing nicotine gum or using a nicotine patch is a good option, as it provides you with just the nicotine without the other toxins of cigarettes. Or try drinking it.Caffeinated drinks Such as coffee or green tea (matcha) to help.Reduce cravings and feel refreshed
exercise: Exercise helpsStimulates the release of happiness chemicals like dopamine.And endorphins make you feel good, happy and help.Reduce the craving for cigarettes Regular exercise also helps restore the circulatory system and lungs to work better.
Take care of your overall health: Along with reducing, stopping and quitting smoking, you should also take care of your health in other ways, such as eating nutritious food.Focus on vegetables, fruits and antioxidant foods.Exercise regularly, get enough rest, and manage stress appropriately, such as meditation or yoga.
Health check to assess damage: If you are concerned about the potential health effects, you may consider a comprehensive health screening.
Toxic and heavy metal detection
Urine test for toxins (Urine Organic Acids): To see how much the toxins from cigarettes disrupt the cellular energy production process and how much damage your cells are doing.
Blood heavy metal test (Toxic Heavy Metal): To assess how much the body has accumulated harmful heavy metals from cigarettes, such as cadmium and lead.
Oligoscan test: It is a quick test to analyze the amount of minerals and heavy metals in the body to help you know what nutrients your body lacks or how much toxins it has accumulated.
Check hormone levels (Hormone Balance): To see the impact on sex hormones, which are an important factor in the quality of life of men and women.
Chelation therapy (Chelation Therapy): If heavy metals are found to be accumulating in the body, chelation therapy is an option that can help remove toxins from the bloodstream. Always consult a medical professional first for safety and best results.
Quitting smoking is not easy, but it is not impossible if you start by truly understanding your own body.Every small change counts for your long-term health. Both in personal and professional life
At W9 Wellness, we believe in holistic healthcare. Whether you need advice on how to recover or a more in-depth examination to assess the effects of smoking, our team of expert doctors are ready to provide you with targeted advice.
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