Almost everyone has heard that smoking is not good for you, and in fact it is bad for you. We all know that it is linked to cancer and lung problems but even so this is not quite powerful to keep people from smoking. Smoking health risks are though a lot more difficult and probable than cancer – also they can be had with just minor smoking.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Lung problems are really commom with smokers and it has been shown that 95% of people who have COPD are smokers – this is a clear proof that you are very unlikely to get that disease if you aren’t a smoker. This is one of the toughest smoking health risks and it can actually caught with just a little smoking. What causes this is that all the toxins that are in cigarettes, cause the tissue in your lungs to get inflamed. Once a tissue is constantly inflamed it will start to create cancer cells, and also the cells will break and the healthy cells will find another healthy cell and combine with it. Since lungs are a sponge-like tissue, they have a lot of area for the gases to be exchanged between the air in your lungs and your blood. This inflamation causes the area that is reserved for gas exchange diminishes and makes it impossible for gases to go from your lungs to your blood. Once there isn’t enough oxygen going to your blood, you will get exhausted with the slightest physical activity. In worst case scenario, you will have to be attached to an oxygen bottle all the time.

Skin Problems

A common health risk that is linked to smoking is skin problems – these start to appear almost immediately as you start smoking. Your skin will start to dry up and no matter how much you use lotions your skin will get aged and look dry and wrinkly. Also since the circulation in your skin will get worse the color of your skin will get pale and gray – no longer those nice reddish skin but instead you will start to turn colorless and sick.

Constant Lung Problems

Smoking gives you respiratory problems and that is well understood. As you are inhaling the smoke you will almost immediately notice that you will start coughing in the morning, and you will also have the flu a little more often. The inflammation that is caused by the toxins is taxing your immune system and not only will you have more inflammations in the respiratory track and also all over your body. Your joints might ache and your muscles might be sore for a long time after workout. This is both because of increased CRP but also because of the decrease in oxygen in your blood. Since the carbon monoxide in the smoke is attached to your hemoglobin strongly, it will decrease the amount of oxygen transferred in your blood and decrease your recovery rate. Not only because of smoking health risks, but also for this reason, no athlete should smoke – if you are addicted to nicotine, you should try to stop smoking,  or use electronic cigarettes which don’t include most of these health risks.