Ten simple tips on the dangers of smoking for men

The harms of male smoking mainly include damage to the respiratory system, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, sexual dysfunction, reduced immunity and high incidence of cancer. The specific manifestations include ten typical hazards such as chronic bronchitis, coronary heart disease, erectile dysfunction, delayed wound healing and lung cancer.

1. Respiratory damage:

The tar and harmful gases in tobacco will directly destroy the function of bronchial cilia. More than 90% of long-term smokers will develop symptoms of chronic cough and excessive phlegm. About 40% of smokers will develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which can lead to respiratory failure in severe cases. Passive smokers are also at risk of respiratory mucosal damage.

2. Heart disease:

Nicotine causes continuous constriction of blood vessels, and the risk of myocardial infarction in smokers is 2-4 times that of non-smokers. People who smoke 20 cigarettes a day have a three-fold increase in the incidence of coronary heart disease. The carbon monoxide in tobacco also reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and increases the load on the heart.

3. Decline in sexual function:

Smoking can cause penile endothelial dysfunction. Men who smoke over the age of 30 are 50% more likely to have erectile dysfunction than non-smokers. Nicotine inhibits testosterone secretion, and the sperm quality of long-term smokers decreases by more than 60%.

4. Immunosuppression:

Smoking weakens macrophage activity and reduces local immunity in the respiratory tract by 3-5 times. Smokers' wound healing time is prolonged by an average of 30%, and the risk of postoperative infection is doubled. Abnormal white blood cell function also makes smokers more susceptible to infectious diseases such as influenza.

5. Cancer risk:

The incidence of lung cancer in smokers is 15-30 times that of non-smokers, and the risk of laryngeal cancer is 8 times higher. For people who smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day, the incidence of bladder cancer increases by 50%. The 69 carcinogens contained in tobacco can cause DNA mutations in cells in multiple organs.

6. Oral diseases:

Smoking triples the risk of periodontal disease, and 80% of smokers have teeth staining problems. The high temperature stimulation of tobacco increases the incidence of oral white spots by five times, which is an important sign of precancerous lesions. The incidence of complications after tooth extraction is also significantly higher in smokers.

7. Digestive disorders:

Nicotine stimulates gastric acid secretion, and the incidence of gastric ulcers in smokers is twice that of non-smokers. Tobacco weakens the tone of the esophageal sphincter, leading to a 60% increase in the risk of reflux esophagitis. Smoking also interferes with the liver's detoxification function and aggravates alcohol's damage to the liver.

8. Bone damage:

Smoking inhibits osteoblast activity and increases the risk of osteoporosis by 30%. Smokers' fracture healing time is 40% longer, and hip fracture mortality is twice as high as non-smokers. Nicotine also accelerates intervertebral disc degeneration, leading to an increased incidence of chronic low back pain.

9. Sensory degradation:

Long-term smoking can cause a decrease or even loss of the sense of smell, and taste sensitivity can decrease by more than 50%. Cyanide in tobacco can damage the optic nerve, and smokers' risk of age-related macular degeneration increases by 2-4 times. The rate of hearing loss among smokers over 40 years old is significantly accelerated.

10. Accelerate aging:

Smoking depletes vitamin C in the body and accelerates the loss of skin collagen by three times. Smokers' facial wrinkles appear 10-15 years earlier than their peers, and their hair is three times more likely to turn gray. Toxins in tobacco can also accelerate brain cell apoptosis and cause premature decline in cognitive function.

It is recommended that male smokers immediately formulate a quit smoking plan and can ease the withdrawal reaction by diverting attention and chewing sugarless gum. Eating more citrus fruits and dark green vegetables rich in vitamin C can help repair oxidative damage. Regular aerobic exercise can improve lung function. Swimming and brisk walking are all suitable exercises for smokers. At the same time, lung function tests and cancer screenings should be performed regularly. Smokers over 40 years old are recommended to have low-dose chest CT every year. Families should provide adequate support and creating a smoke-free home environment is crucial to successful smoking cessation.