Secondhand Smoke Effects

If you are a non-smoker but you breathe in the air of other active smokers it is enough to contribute to various health problems. Thousands of toxic chemicals like carbon monoxide, cyanide, benzene, lead, chromium etc are present in secondhand smoke. These are enough to cause you serious damage. It is more dangerous if you are exposed to second hand smoke for prolonged period. Some of the secondhand smoke effects are discussed below.

Exposure to the toxins of secondhand smoke increases the risk of heart attack and other heart diseases. It increases the risk of blood clots, damages the blood vessels and also interferes with blood circulation. Secondhand smoke can cause headache, nausea, dizziness, sore throat, cough and eye irritation. People already suffering from asthma will find difficulty in breathing when secondhand smoke is inhaled by them.

Cancer is the most significant health problem related with exposure to secondhand smoke. It highly increases the risk for lung cancer. Various other types of cancer such as breast cancer and cervical cancer are linked to secondhand smoke.

Carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas, is present in the secondhand smoke. It decreases the oxygen level of blood due to which our heart has to pump harder. This can result in heart disease. Secondhand smoke adversely affects the carotid arteries (the arteries that carry blood to our brain), and makes it narrow. It also leads to the development of artherosclerosis and hardens. This contributes in hardening of the arteries. Continuous exposure to secondhand smoke nearly doubles the risk of heart attack.

Children are affected the most by secondhand smoke. The development of their brain and lungs are impaired by secondhand smoke. Lung infections like pneumonia and bronchitis can also occur. They are more likely to develop lower respiratory tract infections and otitis media (middle ear infection). It can also cause phlegm and wheezing, chronic coughing, nose and eye irritation. If a child is already suffering from sinusitis and chronic respiratory diseases; these get worse on exposure to secondhand smoke. If a pregnant woman is exposed to secondhand smoke then the risk of low birth weight is increased. It also increases the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

You must try to avoid secondhand smoke and if you are a smoker then please try to quit smoking or at least do not smoke in presence of your children and pregnant wife.