DANGERS OF CIGARETTE SMOKING

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of deaths from cancer in the United States. Its smoke contains a harmful and powerful ingredient known as nicotine that makes you physically and psychologically addicted to cigarettes. Smoking becomes a habit that can lead to many complications.

Cancer
According to Drugs.com, cigarette smoking puts you at a high risk for getting lung cancer. In fact, lung cancer is frequently associated with smoking. Some lung cancer symptoms include a chronic cough, hemoptysis (coughing up blood), chest pain and weight loss. Smoking can make you prone to cancer of the mouth, lips, larynx and throat. In some instances, smoking increases your risk of skin, kidney or pancreatic cancer.

Heart Disease
Smoking can also put you at risk for heart disease. The American Heart Association says that it can increase your blood pressure (the force of blood pushing against your blood vessels) and cause your heart to work harder to pump blood throughout your body. Cigarette smoking also makes you susceptible to blood clot formations. A heart attack can result if a blood clot blocks your coronary arteries (your heart's major blood vessels). Carbon monoxide in smoke interferes with your oxygen supply.

Digestive System Side Effects
Drugs.com states that cigarette smoke can increase the acid production in your stomach and cause a peptic ulcer. Signs of a peptic ulcer include a burning pain in your stomach, nausea and vomiting. Smoking can also lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease, where acid moves back up from your stomach to your esophagus.

Stroke and Peripheral Arterial Disease
According to the American Heart Association, cigarette smoking can make you inclined to a stroke or peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Stroke symptoms include numbness and tingling on one side of your body and slurring of your speech. Stroke occurs when a clot obstructs your brain's blood vessels. PAD symptoms include leg or arm pain with movement, cold limbs and hair loss on your extremities. PAD occurs when a clot forms in your legs or arms.

Additional Complications
Cigarette smoking can also make you prone to certain lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis or emphysema, states Drugs.com. Cough productive of green sputum and trouble breathing are some symptoms that characterize chronic bronchitis. Emphysema is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) where you have difficulty breathing because your air sacs have been destroyed. Bad breath, bone fractures, stains on your teeth, sore throat and trouble sleeping are other complications of cigarette smoking.