7 Reasons to Dump Tobacco

Tobacco contains over 4000 chemicals, out of which 43 have been identified as carcinogens. These chemicals have the potential to damage your health in more ways than one.

The seven most probable ill effects of tobacco are:

1. Oral Cancer: Studies conclude that 80 percent of the oral cancer patients are smokers and risk of the oral cancer is 4 times more in tobacco chewers as compared to nonusers.

2. Submucous Fibrosis: It is an oral precancerous condition which leads to difficulty in opening of the mouth due to stiffness. The condition is found in 0.4 percent of Indian village population, out of which 8 percent cases progress to malignant cancers.

3. Hairy Tongue: This condition is characterized by elongated filiform papillae on the dorsum of the tongue. Hairy tongue is often seen in heavy smokers.

4. Dental Caries: Tobacco users have significantly more number of caries-associated bacteria as compared to non-users.

5. Heart Attack and Stroke: The combination of carbon monoxide and nicotine causes temporary increase in heart rate and blood pressure. This may lead to sudden stroke or heart attack.

6. Amputated Limbs: You may have to get a limb surgically removed because of decreased blood flow in hands and feet caused by carbon monoxide and nicotine combination found in tobacco. The combination disturbs the balance of oxygen exchange in the body.

7. Lung Cancer: The tar present in tobacco coats your lung like soot coats chimney. The tar contains dangerous carcinogens.

Submucous fibriosis, hairy tongue and dental caries may get healed by quitting tobacco consumption, but it completely depends on the intensity of the condition.