Smoking is something that has been done for centuries (tobacco began to be cultivated in 1530). We all also know that it is something harmful to health but according to a study carried out this year by the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD), in the world there are currently 1,140 million active smokers who are likely to end up suffering from some of the diseases that can occur from root of smoking and that we reveal below. These are the most common diseases caused by smoking.
The most common diseases caused by smoking
Smoking is a real public health problem. We have known for years that it is responsible for a large number of diseases and reduces the life expectancy of the general population. According to WHO data, tobacco kills about 8 million people each year (adding smokers and passive smokers) as it is a habit or addiction that leads to various diseases . The most commons are:
Cancers
Tobacco is the leading cause of cancer, far ahead of other risk factors. It is believed to be responsible for around a third of cancer deaths . Tobacco is the main risk factor for lung cancer (the risk is multiplied by 10 to 15 in smokers) and bladder cancer. It is also the cause of many other cancers: throat, mouth, esophagus, stomach, colon, liver, pancreas, cervix, etc.
Cardiovascular diseases
Smoking is responsible for increased blood pressure (hypertension), deterioration of the arteries (arteriosclerosis), and increased heart rate. Acting on these three tables, it is a risk factor for heart attack and stroke. The risk of myocardial infarction is proportional to consumption: on average it is multiplied by 3 compared to a non-smoker. The risk of heart attack also affects passive smoking, with an increase of 24% for an exposure of 1 to 7 hours a week and 62% for an exposure greater than 22 hours a week. Smoking is responsible for 25% of cardiovascular deaths that occur before the age of 70.
In the case of women, the combination of tobacco and the estrogen-progestogen pill increases the risk of cardiovascular events. If you smoke, you should notify your gynecologist, who will prescribe a more suitable contraceptive method.
COPD (or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
COPD is a chronic inflammatory disease of the bronchi. It is the result of progressive narrowing and permanent obstruction of the airways and lungs. It causes a permanent discomfort that affects the quality of life. COPD affects 2.9 million people in Spain and kills an average of 29,000 people each year. It is estimated that 80% of COPD cases are related to smoking. COPD cannot be cured, but its management slows its progression and reduces its symptoms.
Other smoking-related illnesses
Finally, a large number of pathologies are caused or aggravated by smoking.
- Infertility;
- Chronic otolaryngology and dental pathologies (such as periodontitis);
- Vision problems (such as age-related macular degeneration or AMD);
- Digestive diseases (Crohn’s disease, gastritis, peptic ulcer, endobrachiesophagus, etc.);
- Skin pathologies (eczema, psoriasis, etc.);
- Other chronic diseases: diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, arterial hypertension, lupus erythematosus …
There are also complications related to smoking during pregnancy : tobacco increases the risk of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, intrauterine growth retardation, but also premature delivery.
