Smoking is the number one health hazard in our country. And as smokers grow older, they are more likely to:
More and more people have quit smoking. Studies show that even if you are a heavy smoker, it can still help you to quit.
Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer. The earlier you start smoking and the more you smoke each day, the higher your chances of getting lung cancer. It happens most often when people are between 60 and 70 years of age. Smoking can also lead to cancers of the:
Chronic bronchitis (swelling and irritation of your air passages) and emphysema (damage to lung tissue) are both caused by smoking. These are both forms of lung disease. People often have both at the same time. Lung disease is a common cause of pain and death in older people.
Smoking greatly increases your chance of getting heart disease. The more you smoke, the greater your chances of heart disease. Smoking narrows the arteries that carry blood to your heart muscle. They are more likely to become blocked and cause heart disease.
Arteries to the brain can also become narrowed and blocked in people who smoke. A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Strokes often cause death. Even if the stroke is not fatal, it may leave you unable to care for yourself.
Smoking can narrow other arteries, cutting off the supply of oxygen that your body needs. If it happens in your legs, you may have pain when you walk. It could cause sores on your skin and gangrene (tissue death). Sometimes the foot or leg has to be removed.
Smoking also makes your blood pressure higher. This can damage your kidneys. High blood pressure also gives you a higher chance of heart failure, heart attacks, and stroke.
Smoking increases your chances of complications and slow healing if you have to have surgery.
There are no good reasons to smoke.
It's a great idea to quit, no matter what your age.
There are programs and medicines to help you quit.
