Smoking

Smoking is the habit of consuming products made from the Nicotiana tabacum plant, commonly known as tobacco. Among the main products are traditional cigarettes and electronic cigarettes, both of which contain a substance (nicotine) that activates areas of the brain responsible for sensations of pleasure and relaxation. The more a person smokes, the more their body becomes accustomed to nicotine. Over time, they need to smoke more to feel the same sense of well-being they experienced at the beginning.

In addition to nicotine, these products contain other substances considered harmful (toxic) to the human body. Traditional cigarettes, for example, contain more than 4,700 such substances.

The electronic cigarette (vape) is an electronic device that heats a liquid to produce vapor, which is then inhaled by the user. It facilitates smoking because it contains a combination of components that accelerate addiction. Furthermore, it contains more than 80 substances harmful to health, such as heavy metals (like iron, aluminum, and nickel) and components that may contribute to the development of various types of cancer.

When discussing the symptoms of smoking, its negative effects on the lungs are usually mentioned, including respiratory diseases and lung cancer. However, smoking can also affect the heart and the structures that carry blood to it (blood vessels), leading to health problems such as:

• high blood pressure: arteries are like pipes that carry blood throughout the body, and smoking can make them narrower. As a result, the blood has to push harder against the artery walls than normal. This is called high blood pressure and can increase the risk of developing other heart diseases
• arrhythmias: the heart typically beats between 60 and 100 times per minute at rest. However, a person with arrhythmia may have very fast or very slow heartbeats. Smoking can contribute to this by forcing the heart to work harder or by reducing the amount of oxygen reaching it
• heart attack (myocardial infarction): characterized by severe chest pain, it occurs when blood cannot reach the heart due to a blockage, such as a blood clot or a fatty plaque. Smoking is a major risk factor because it impairs blood circulation
• coronary artery disease (CAD): a condition that causes chest pain and shortness of breath. It happens when fat builds up on the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Toxic substances in products like cigarettes can damage the inner lining of these arteries and cause them to narrow
• stroke (cerebrovascular accident): smoking increases the risk of stroke because it contributes to the blockage or rupture of blood vessels, preventing blood from reaching the brain. This can result in difficulty walking, speaking, or moving parts of the body

Additionally, smoking can contribute to the development of bladder cancer, breast cancer and cancers of the head and neck. Other symptoms may include anger, impatience, anxiety, sadness, difficulty concentrating, and insomnia, as the toxic substances in tobacco products can affect mood.
 

Traditional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and cigars are products made from the Nicotiana tabacum plant (tobacco) and contain the chemical substance nicotine, which is the main cause of smoking addiction. In the brain, nicotine increases the release of the hormone responsible for pleasure and well-being (dopamine), which encourages the person to continue smoking. In addition, social and cultural stimuli can spark an individual's interest in smoking.

To diagnose smoking addiction, the healthcare professional should talk with the patient to understand how long they have been smoking, how many times per day or week, and whether they have previously tried to quit.

In cases where the person has attempted to quit smoking, they may have experienced mood changes such as irritability, anger, anxiety, and sadness, as well as difficulty sleeping and concentrating. The diagnosis of tobacco dependence is made after confirming the presence of some of these signs.

There are three main ways to quit smoking, which can be used together or separately:

• therapeutic counseling: the person participates in individual or group sessions where they discuss the importance of quitting smoking, the challenges they may face, and receive tips to avoid relapsing
• nicotine replacement: patches or chewing gum containing the substance that triggers feelings of pleasure and relaxation in the brain (nicotine) can be used
• medications: the healthcare professional may recommend medications that help reduce the urge to smoke and withdrawal symptoms such as irritability or weight gain, as well as lower the risk of relapse

Some practices can help prevent smoking, such as:

• identifying triggers: recognizing situations, people, or emotions that cause the urge to smoke and seeking help from friends, family, or a mental health professional to understand when this need arises
• offering support: being present in the lives of friends and family and helping them make healthy choices
• engaging in physical activity: regular physical activity can help reduce stress and anxiety, which are factors that may be related to the urge to smoke

How Smoking Affects Heart Health | FDA
How Smoking Affects the Heart and Blood Vessels | NHLBI, NIH
DSM Criteria for Tobacco Use Disorder and Tobacco Withdrawal
The relationship between smoking and cardiovascular diseases — Ministry of Health
Smoking, diseases caused by tobacco, benefits of quitting
Electronic cigarette - INCA

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By the Einstein Editorial Board