The harmful effects of smoking are pretty apparent. The CDC enumerates some of the common health consequences of smoking on its website, such as cancer, heart disease, and lung disease. Apart from these, smoking has other unexpected effects you may not know. While these effects may not result in chronic conditions like those listed above, they still damage your general health and everyday life.
On that note, here are some unexpected effects of tobacco smoke and how you can stop smoking to avoid these effects.
Unexpected Effects of Tobacco Smoke on Your Body
It slows down healing
Smoking slows down the healing of wounds, including those from operations. A Science Direct study found that smokers who underwent shoulder surgery called rotator cuff repair displayed slower healing and increased chances of retear and reoperation. Smoking distorts the immune system, making it harder for the body to repair damaged tissues.
It damages your eyesight
The FDA shares that smoking can cause vision loss because it damages the optic nerve—the one responsible for transmitting electrical impulses from the eyes to the brain. As such, it can lead to the development of cataracts, causing clouded vision or age-related macular degeneration, which is when you lose central eyesight.
It negatively affects oral health
Most smokers know that the smell of smoke stays in their mouths and causes bad breath. However, it also affects other aspects of oral health, including the teeth and gums. Our post ‘Avoid These Habits to Protect Your Teeth’ shares that tobacco leaves a sticky film on your teeth. When this builds up, it can ruin your teeth and make them rot.
How You Can Stop Smoking
Use alternative nicotine products
Many alternative nicotine products are smokeless, making them a better option than smoking. Two such products are nicotine pouches and nasal sprays. Nicotine pouches are placed in the mouth for nicotine absorption, then disposed of after around 30 minutes. The nicotine pouches from Prilla can be quickly delivered to your doorstep whenever you decide to quit smoking. Meanwhile, Nicotrol offers nicotine nasal sprays, allowing nicotine absorption through the nasal walls. Unlike pouches, this requires a prescription, so consult your doctor if you’re interested in this alternative nicotine product.
Call a smoking quitline
Smoking quitlines connect you with a professional who can coach or counsel you as you quit smoking. These are telephone-based services, so there’s no need to leave your house. You can expect a consultation regarding your smoking habits before a professional suggests the best methods for you. All states have smoking quitlines, like NYSmokeFree for New York and Quit With Us for Louisiana. The National Cancer Institute also runs a national quitline: 1-800-QUIT NOW.
Get moral support
Support from family and friends is an overlooked quitting method. When you feel like you want to grab a cigarette, they will remind you of the reasons you started quitting in the first place. They can also offer and accompany you to do different activities instead of smoking, such as taking a walk or going for a car ride. When starting your quitting journey, inform your family and friends of your goals so they can keep you accountable and provide peer support.
Tobacco smoke’s unexpected effects include slower healing processes, damaged eyesight, and rotting teeth. Quit smoking today to avoid these effects by using alternative products, calling a quitline, or getting moral support from your loved ones. If you liked this article, read more of our posts here at Optic Flux.
