Tobacco-Related Diseases

 Tobacco-Related Diseases

Tobacco contains numerous toxic chemicals having adverse

effects varying from minor throat irritation to carcinogenesis.

Some of the important constituents of tobacco smoke with

adverse effects 

The major diseases accounting for higher mortality in

tobacco smokers include the following (in descending order

of frequency):

i) Coronary heart disease

ii) Cancer of the lung

iii) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Besides above, smokers suffer higher risk of development

of a few other cancers and non-neoplastic conditions as

illustrated 

CORONARY HEART DISEASE. 

Cigarette smoking is one

of the four major risk factors for myocardial infarction and

acts synergistically with the other three—hypercholesterolaemia,

hypertension and diabetes mellitus (Chapter 15).

There is more severe, extensive and accelerated atherosclerosis

of coronary arteries and aorta in smokers, possibly

due to increased platelet aggregation and impaired lung

function that causes reduced myocardial oxygen supply.

Besides, the smokers have higher risk of development of

atherosclerotic aortic aneurysm and Buerger’s disease

(thromboangiitis obliterans) affecting lower extremities

LUNG CANCER. 

This is the most common cancer in menthroughout world and most frequent cancer in women too

OTHER CANCERS. 

Besides lung cancer, smokers have

higher risk of development of cancer of upper aerodigestive

tract (lips, oral cavity, larynx, oesophagus), pancreas, urinary

bladder and kidney.

NON-NEOPLASTIC DISEASES

. These include the

following:

i) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that

includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema as the most

common.

ii) Peptic ulcer disease with 70% higher risk in smokers.

iii) Early menopause in smoker women.

iv) In smoking pregnant women, higher risk of lower birth

weight of foetus, higher perinatal mortality and intellectual

deterioration of newborn.