Top 10 Health Risks of Smokers

Below is a list of the top 10 health risks for people who smoke.

1. Lung Cancer

In Americans, lung cancer is the leading type of cancer. 87% of lung cancer is tied to smoking, according to
http://lung-cancer-info-guide.com.

2. Pregnancy Complications

For women smokers, there is less food and oxygen going to the infant's brain while pregnant. Smoking can also cause premature births, deaths, and lung problems for the baby as he/she grows older.

3. Heart and Blood Diseases

Smoking can increase the risk of Coronary Heart disease, strokes, and increased blood pressure and heart rate. Smoking can also increase blood clotting and decrease oxygen flowing to the heart.

4. Nicotine Withdrawal

Trying to ween off of nicotine is the hardest, as there are feelings of irritability, headaches, tension, and difficulty in concentrating. Smokers can also have difficulty sleeping, experience weight gain, and have an increased appetite.

5. Secondhand Smoke

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke, can experience an increased heart risk by 25-30 percent. Secondhand smoke is also known to cause 3,000 lung cancer deaths in nonsmokers, according to Rush University Medical Center.

6. Respiratory Diseases

Smokers can have diseases such as Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema, among many other Respiratory diseases.

7. Early Menopause

For smokers, early menopause can start at the young age of 45. The chemicals in cigarettes bind to egg cells that create a pathway that eliminates ovarian cells, according to smoking.ygoy.com.

8. Cosmetic Downfalls

Smoking can stain teeth, increase the risks of gum disease, can give bad breath, and can cause tooth decay.

9. Dementia and Alzheimer's Diseases

According to Webmd.com, these diseases can quickly affect smokers as they become senior citizens. Smoking causes mental decline due to artery damage, clotting, and strokes.

10. Multiple Sclerosis

Smoking can lead to MS which can result in a loss of muscle control, vision, balance, and numbness.

All of these reasons should greatly increase opinions on why people should quit smoking.