Nicotine Vs Smoker

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It is commonly known that smoking tobacco is harmful to the smoker and those who are affected by the secondhand smoke. Thousands of chemicals can be found in tobacco; many of which can affect the brain, the sex organs, the heart, the respiratory system, the mouth, and even the eyes and stomach. Overall quality of life will be worse for a smoker than that of a non-smoker because of the damage to one’s wallet, the effect on others, and of course, one’s health1. Addiction is powerful, and many who want to quit cannot2.
Nicotine is a chemical found in tobacco with addictive qualities1. To be more specific, nicotine acts like the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and binds to nicotinic receptors and cholinergic neurons are activated. This process …show more content…
For one, the cilia, or tiny hairs in the upper airways, get damaged from smoke. More mucus is made in the presence of irritants. Because the cilia are damaged, the extra mucus now mixed with the tar, chemicals, and pollutants, cannot be cleaned out. This mucus stays and may become infected2,7. The alveoli of the lungs are also destroyed. These stretchy and balloon like sacs at the ends of the airways help take in oxygen and get rid of carbon-dioxide (Co2). Since smoking reduces the elasticity of the alveoli, this process of oxygen in and Co2 out becomes hard. Therefore, it is more difficult and takes longer for oxygen to circulate throughout the body8. If breathing isn’t difficult enough, the airways are inflamed, irritated, and narrowed in the process1,2,7,8. Lung cancer, chest infections, chronic cough, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are all possible outcomes from the damage sustained. COPD includes many infections and diseases that obstruct the process of breathing9. Examples are chronic bronchitis, which is inflammation of the bronchial tube lining and Emphysema in which the terminal bronchioles (small airways transitioning from bronchioles to alveoli) dilate. The alveolar walls may rupture and the lungs may be hyper inflated. It may also cause Bronchiectasis; in this, there is a continuous dilation of airways due to repeated pulmonary infections and bronchial obstruction10. These three all involve the function of the air passageways. Having these will definitely limit physical ability and regular enjoyment of life. Secondhand smoke may cause any of the problems mentioned before. It can lead to or worsen asthma in
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