Health Risks Of Smoking

There are many health risks of smoking. Many people believe the only potential health risks of smoking are lung cancer and emphysema. But they are wrong. In fact, while both of these diseases are responsible for claiming a lot of lives of smokers, it is not the number one disease. The number one disease that claims more lives of smokers than any other is heart disease. In the united states today, the leading cause of death among smokers is in fact heart disease. Globally, the number of premature deaths of cardiovascular diseases from smoking is comparable. In this article we will discuss the many potential health risks of smoking.

Aside from emphysema, lung disease, and heart disease another potential health risks of smoking is blindness. Smoking is known to raise the risk of diseases such as macular degeneration. In comparison to non smokers, those who smoke are three to five times more likely to become blind due to age related macular degeneration. When one begins to suffer from age related macular degeneration, they develop the inability to use part of the retina which results in the loss of central vision. Researches have shown that quitting smoking can lower that risk.

Impotence is another one of the many health risks of smoking. If you are a man and you are concerned about your performance in the bedroom than it is advisable that you simply stop smoking. Many studies have been done that suggest smoking leads to the inability of a man to gain an erection. Studies have shown that men who smoke a pack a day have a fifty to sixty percent greater chance of suffering from erectile dysfunction when compared to men who do not smoke.

Another one of the many health risks of smoking is Acid reflux. Studies have concluded that those have been prolonged smokers for more than twenty years are fifty to seventy percent more likely to have acid reflux disease than those who are non smokers. Acid reflux disease also known as gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) will occur in one in five people who are prolonged smokers.

Breast cancer is also one that many people are not aware of. Studies have shown that smoking plays a bigger role in increasing breast cancer risks than many previously thought. The risk of developing breast cancer is thirty percent greater for women who smoke.

These are some of the many potential health risks of smoking. In the end it is up to the individual to assess the risk and determine whether continuing the deadly habit is worth it.