Unless you don’t own a television and don’t look at billboards, you have probably seen campaigns against smoking. That’s because of the many negative health effects that it is known to cause. Most parts of your body can be affected by cigarette smoking in the following ways:
- Nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict, reducing blood circulation.
- There are at least 43 cancer-causing substances in the cigarettes.
There are superficial reasons to quit smoking, like the strong smell, yellowing teeth and eyes, and discolored fingertips. Additionally, there are adverse health effects to you and your family:
- Smoking causes poor circulation from the constricted blood vessels and plaque build-up, leading to peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and ischemic feet. This can also lead to slow wound healing, like with ulcers.
- Smoking has been known to cause cancer in the mouth, throat, lungs, esophagus, liver, stomach, bladder, pancreas, kidney, cervix, and in the blood.
- Second-hand smoke can also affect your children’s health as well – possibly even worse than it affects your own health.
- Smoking while pregnant can make it more likely for a fetus to develop finger and toe deformities, such as webbed feet or extra or missing toes.
- Adults are at risk of blood clots in the feet and/or legs. If a child or teen picks up smoking, they are at increased risk of blood clots in the legs and feet.
- Long-term smoking can also cause eventual numbness or tingling in the hands or feet.
The best way to reduce the risk of problems from smoking is to quit and never go back. Smokers affect not only themselves but also the people around them, even in outdoor settings. Put your family (including yourself) first. Quit smoking now; if you need help quitting, speak to your doctor.
If you have foot problems or suspect that your smoking has caused you problems with your feet, let us help you. Make an appointment today at Clark Podiatry Center. Our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy will assess your feet to find the best treatments or solutions for your feet. We are located in Clark, NJ and serve patients in all the surrounding Union County towns!