Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Harmful effects of smoking on your body

Last updated on: August 22, 2011 14:46 IST

Smoking is a dangerous to health. And it is not just the heart and lungs that are affected. From head to toe -- smoking effects can be seen on each part of your body.

Let's go step by step and find out the dangerous smoking effects on your body.

Click on NEXT to read on...

Harmful effects of smoking on your body

Last updated on: August 22, 2011 14:46 IST

Brain

Smoking effects on brain are highly dangerous. Blockage of carotid artery may cut off the blood supply to the brain cells, which results in stroke (cerebral thrombosis).

Blood thickening and clotting are also serious smoking effects and smokers are more likely to have stroke as compared to non-smokers

Harmful effects of smoking on your body

Last updated on: August 22, 2011 14:46 IST

Hair

Your hair becomes smelly and stained due to instant smoking effects.

Slow hair growth and greying of hair is also believed to be a direct smoking effect.

Your hair will look and feel lifeless and dull.

Harmful effects of smoking on your body

Last updated on: August 22, 2011 14:46 IST

Teeth and Gums

Teeth will become so yellow and stained. Bleeding of gums every morning. It's because of the direct smoking effect on your teeth.

Also smoking effects the appearance of your teeth also results in plaque, loose teeth, gum disease.

Harmful effects of smoking on your body

Last updated on: August 22, 2011 14:46 IST

Eyes

Dangerous smoking effects on eyes include common eye diseases such as Graves' ophthalmopathy, age- related macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataract.

Smoking can lead to permanent blindness.

Harmful effects of smoking on your body

Last updated on: August 22, 2011 14:46 IST

Digestive system

Smoking effects are heartburn, peptic ulcers, Crohn's disease and stomach cancer.

Harmful effects of smoking on your body

Last updated on: August 22, 2011 14:46 IST

Skin

Wrinkles and premature ageing are few smoking effects on skin.

Harmful effects of smoking on your body

Last updated on: August 22, 2011 14:46 IST

Legs and Feet

Buerger's disease, leg pain and gangrene are painful smoking effects

Harmful effects of smoking on your body

Last updated on: August 22, 2011 14:46 IST

Mouth and Throat

All cancers associated with the larynx, oral cavity and esophagus are fatal smoking effects. The smoking effects are reduced sense of taste, sore throat and smelly breath.

Harmful effects of smoking on your body

Last updated on: August 22, 2011 14:46 IST

Lungs and Respiratory System

The most dreaded lung cancer, feeling out of breath, pneumonia, asthma, cough and tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis and emphysema, are all smoking effects.

Harmful effects of smoking on your body

Last updated on: August 22, 2011 14:46 IST

Heart

Two immediate smoking effects on heart and circulation are an increase in your heartbeat rate and a sharp rise in blood pressure.

Long term smoking effects are increase in the blood cholesterol and fibrinogen levels and Smoking effects on your heart leads to coronary heart disease, aneurysm, peripheral vascular disease.