9 Major Diseases Caused by Smoking

Cigarette smoking has multiple severe consequences when it comes to health. It is often seen as the leading cause of various preventable diseases across the globe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it kills more than 4,80,000 people in large countries like the US, being the direct cause of 90% of lung cancer and COPD deaths.

Are you wondering about the diseases caused by smoking? Then, keep reading this article until the end to learn more about it!

What Are the Major Diseases Caused by Smoking?

As much as cigarette smoking can be addictive and fun, there is no denying the fact about its negative consequences. Smoking causes various kinds of diseases, most of which can be life-threatening. Let us see a list of infections caused by smoking in the following section.

1. Heart Diseases

Now, you must be wondering how smoking affects the heart. Extreme cigarette smoking often causes heart blockages, consequently narrowing your arteries. As a result, blood and oxygen flow to the core reduces. Smoking also increases the formation of plaque in blood vessels. It causes coronary heart disease as arteries are blocked by plaque, causing clots.

Significant symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, chest pressure, pain in the neck, etc. About 80% of adult smokers are at risk of sudden deaths because of heart diseases. The survival rate for heart diseases is 12%-75%.

2. Stroke

While considering various smoking-related diseases, one cannot neglect stroke. As smoking majorly affects your arteries, strokes can be a common health concern with a survival rate of 24%-60%. Smoking causes carbon monoxide, which reduces the amount of oxygen in your blood. On the other hand, nicotine makes your heart beat faster while raising your blood pressure.

Furthermore, smoking can also trigger atrial fibrillation, thereby increasing the chances of stroke. Patients can face symptoms like numbness in the face, arms or legs, sudden confusion, visionary issues, dizziness and loss of balance.

3. Lung Cancer

Lung cancer from smoking is a common health concern. A, Excessive cigarette smoking damages the cells lining your lungs. Furthermore, when you inhale cigarette smoke, it includes cancer-causing substances. Your lung tissues react negatively to these substances.

Smoking is the leading cause behind 90% of lung cancer cases. The common symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain and unintentional weight loss. The survival rate for lung cancer is 26%-64%.

4. COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

COPD is a common lung disease caused by smoking. It can cause a long-term disability and even early death by making it difficult for patients to breathe. When a cigarette burns, it creates harmful toxins. These toxins weaken your lungs and prevent them from fighting against infections, narrowing the air passages.

Common symptoms include shortness of breath, chest tightness, chronic cough, respiratory infections and lack of energy. Quitting cigarettes is a primary way of treating COPD. It has a survival rate of 40%-70%.

5. Cancer

cancer disease — (source: medicaldialogues)

Excessive cigarette smoking can cause cancer in any part of the body. Cancer in the throat, oesophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, liver, pancreas, etc., are common because of smoking. Cigarette smoke releases more than 5000 chemicals, which can cause cancer. These can also damage your DNA, making it difficult for your cells to repair your DNA.

Cancer has a survival rate of 50%-80%.

6. Visual Impairment and Cataracts

cataract disease — (source: srikrishnaeyeinstitute)

Another significant consequence of smoking is visual impairment with a survival rate of 79%-86%. Tobacco addiction has chances of increasing the risks of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, and glaucoma.

Moreover, it can also trigger diabetic retinopathy and Dry Eye Syndrome. Extreme cigarette smoking causes a constriction of your retinal blood vessels. It increases your blood pressure, and AMD's dry and wet forms increase your risks of developing permanent visual impairment.

7. Diabetes

diabetes image — (source: medtecheurope)

People addicted to smoking are 30%-40% more likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes than non-smokers. The high levels of nicotine present in cigarettes make it more challenging to manage and regulate insulin levels in the blood. Moreover, it can reduce the effectiveness of insulin, which makes it difficult for smokers to control their blood sugar levels.

As a result, patients face symptoms like frequent urination, frequent thirst and hunger, unintentional weight loss, blurry vision, fatigue and others. In other words, diabetes has rightfully earned its place in this list of diseases caused by smoking with survival rates of 79%-98%.

8. Asthma

While considering diseases due to smoking, one can mention asthma in this list. It is a chronic lung disease, making it difficult for your lungs to take air in and out. Smoking cigarettes irritates the airways of your lungs, causing their swelling or narrowing. As a result, asthma patients find it difficult to breathe.

The symptoms include shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing while exhaling, trouble sleeping and flu attacks. As such, doctors often advise asthma patients to quit smoking. However, asthma has a survival rate of up to 99%.

9. Pregnancy Complications

Now that smoking causes heart problems, you should also know about its other consequences. It can cause pregnancy complications, including reproductive effects and premature birth. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilised egg is implanted somewhere other than the uterus. Moreover, it can also reduce fertility in women.

Women smoking during pregnancy often face miscarriage and premature birth. Babies born too early or too small naturally have higher risks of life.

What Are the Recommended Ways to Quit Smoking?

If you are addicted to cigarette smoking, try the following ways to get rid of it.

Nicotine replacement therapy with prescription nicotine or OTC patches
Chew gums or hard candy to replace the craving
Engage in physical activities
Practice different kinds of relaxation techniques
Take professional help
Avoid such associations that compel you to smoke
Think of the benefits of quitting

Frequently Asked Questions

✓ What organs are affected by smoking?

Cigarette smoking harms some of the most vital organs, including the heart, lungs, eyes, mouth, blood vessels, bones, reproductive organs, bladder, and digestive organs.

✓ What does smoking do to your brain?

According to a research in 2017, smoking can negatively affect the structural integrity of the subcortical brain regions. It can result in loss of brain volumes.