The danger of smoking has been shown to lead to the development of various diseases such as coronary heart disease, lung cancer, obstructive lung disease and stroke. In fact, degenerative diseases are only part of the health effects of smoking. There are other health effects that a smoker may not be aware of, namely a decrease in body resistance so they are more susceptible to infectious diseases. It tends to occur briefly and may cause health effects on the daily life of a smoker.
Why does smoking affect the body's immune system?
Cigarettes have various toxins from the chemicals they contain. The most common smoking hazard comes from carcinogenic toxins and carbon monoxide in tobacco smoke that can be inhaled respiratory tract. Both can trigger organ damage and decreased function of the cardiovascular and respiratory system organs. As a result, the body will be more difficult to fight the pathogenic germs that are in the neighborhood because they have to overcome organ damage and fight against toxins from exposure to cigarette smoke.
By smoking, it means that a person is more likely to be exposed to toxins from the smoke of a frequency more frequently and for a long time. The same can also be experienced by passive smokers, even the danger of smoking higher if he inhaled breath issued by active smokers.
Dangers of smoking against endurance
Decreased function of the immune system is characterized by a lack of body's ability to fight infectious agents. This can be due to damage to organs and components of immunity that can not work properly when the body lacks the intake it needs, such as oxygen and antioxidants. It is very likely caused by smoking habit.
Here are some of the dangers of smoking against endurance:
Damage to the respiratory tract
is the beginning of a decline in body power. Toxins in cigarettes can cause irritation and the emergence of mucus in the respiratory tract which is an opportunity for infection of the throat to the lungs. Infection can also become more vulnerable because cigarette smoke damages cilia, small hairs in the respiratory tract that serves to catch dust. The more exposure to cigarette smoke will be the greater the risk of infection becomes more serious and cause damage to the air cavity in the lung.
Triggering autoimmune conditions
Toxic contents of carcinogens and tar cause the body to be less effective against infection. A weakened immune system is also dangerous because it can trigger autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.
Inhibits blood flow
this is the effect of nicotine that triggers blood to become more viscous and causes less nutrients, minerals and oxygen to be spread through the blood. As a result in smokers, inflammation on the outside and organs in the body experienced a longer improvement.
Reduces the amount of antibodies
this is the toxic effect of cigarettes that have entered the bloodstream. Antibodies themselves are blood proteins that play a role in reducing the number of specific infection agents in the body. As a result smokers will experience a longer healing period than usual.
Reduces antioxidant levels
antioxidant compounds such as those derived from vitamin C in the blood serve to ward off free radicals and repair organ damage. Smokers generally have fewer antioxidant levels than in non-smokers.
Increasing white blood cells
just like antibodies, white blood cells also serve to fight infection, but in smokers, inflammation and damage continues to cause white blood cell levels continue to be in high numbers. As a result, white blood cells will become less responsive to disease agents and if it happens for a long time it can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cancer progression.
Can reduce the risk of smoking to the immune system?
Quitting smoking is the best way to avoid a decrease in body resistance becomes more severe. When a person stops smoking, most of the immune conditions will get better on their own as long as the individual is not serious infectious diseases such as pneumonia and damaged respiratory organs.
There are several things you can do to minimize the effects of smoking on endurance when trying to quit smoking, including:
Improved diet
meeting the needs of vitamins and minerals will speed up the recovery of immune and supplement with supplements if necessary.
Meet the needs of vitamin D
with activity in the sun. Vitamin D is an important component in maintaining endurance.
Exercise
actively moving will help transport useful oxygen to the cardiovascular function so as to strengthen the body's immune system.
Avoid sources of transmission
exposure to infectious diseases can occur anywhere but avoid risky transmission patterns such as when in hospital and contact with people with infectious diseases. Termination of transmission can also be done to maintain personal hygiene and environment.