RISK OF BREATHING

Risk Of Breathing

Belinda Jones

University of Phoenix

Passive Smoke

Smokers may never realize the harm they do to those around them. A smoker

knows the risks they pose to their own health, but do they stop and think about the

risks their second hand smoke poses to those who surround them. All nonsmokers

are exposed to second hand smoke or passive smoke at one time or place, it simply

can not be avoided. Until recent laws have taken effect exposure to second hand

smoke was everywhere from the work place to public places. Children are often

exposed to second hand smoke by their parents and can not choose to walk away

from it like an adult can. Just consider how many adults smoke in a car when they

have a child as a passenger. The media is full of commercials on cancer and

smoking letting all know about that health risk. But besides lung cancer, there are

other problems associated with the second hand smoke, especially in young children.

Smoke in the Air

First of all what is passive or second hand smoke? Second hand smoke is

consider smoke exhaled by a smoker and the smoke from the burning tobacco

product. Second how are people exposed to second hand smoke? Anytime

we are in the company of a smoker we are breathing smoke. The more extreme

exposure would be the that of the children of smokers endure. The smoke directly

coming from the burning tobacco product is more harmful the exhaled smoke.

A lesser hazard for exposure is now called third hand smoke which is the residue

clings to things after the smoke is gone.

Smoke and Arteries

Passive smoke is a major cause of heart disease for nonsmokers There in no

question that passive smoke affects blood flow. Tests done in the 1980 show that

twenty minutes of exposure to second hand smoke makes blood platelets sticky.

This condition of the platelets increases the chance of blood clots, which leads to

heart attacks and strokes. This is even more damaging for those that are already

prone to heart problems (Robson, D 2009). Due to the platelet damage there is an

increases level of blood cholesterol, which also increases the risks of coronary

heart disease. Nonsmokers are more sensitive to smoke than smokers who

are more used to the smoke and are often protect by filters on tobacco products.

Smoke and Lungs

Second hand smoke allows thousands of toxins into the lungs. These toxins

cause the destruction lung tissue and abnormal inflammation of the whole respiratory

system (Birru R. L., Di Y .P. 2012). The inflammation is the cause of chronic obstructive

pulmonary disease or CPOD. The inflammation of the alveoli of the lungs is

what causes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Passive smoke is a major air

pollutant which causes allergies and asthma risks nonsmokers and smokers.

Second hand smoke has a mixture of over 4000 chemical by products, of which

172 of these by products are known toxic substances (tobacco smoke.exposure 2011).

These 172 toxins are a major contributor to all respiratory ailment and allergies.

And as in the case with heart disease if you are predisposed to respiratory and

allergy problems the exposure to second smoke will increase the risks and degree of

disease.

Lesser Known Risks

There are many lesser know ways that second smoke can affect the physical

and even mental functions that we rarely are informed on.

Our digestive system can be a casualty to second hand smoke just like the

vascular system. Second hand smoke does not cause peptic ulcers but

it doe increase the severity of ulcers. The intake of the nicotine from the passive

smoke causes a increase in stomach acid production, which increase the

pain of the ulcer a long with irritating the ulcer (www.corephycians.org 2010)

Second hand smoke can affect our minds too. Passive smoke can cloud

our memory with if exposed for a long periods of time. For nonsmoking

adults over 50 years of age a continued exposure to second hand smoke

cause the risk of cognitive impairment. which affects our memory (B.G. 2009)

Can second hand smoke make us fat? Yes, the fact is breathing second hand

smoke causes uneven with weight distribution which can cause the body to

function inefficiently . The uneven weight causes irregular blood sugar . The

irregular blood sugar damages the pancreas, which results in the decrease

of insulin production. This is results in diabetes and weight gain (www.diabetic

discounters.com 2009). Second hand smoke can cause havoc for all

our body, even our brains. Unfortunately it is almost impossible to avoid

all contact with passive smoke. The only way to stop exposure would be

to pass laws banning smoking in all places except our personal homes and

that would still not help the family and children of smokers.

Smoke and the Young

Passive smoke damage can start for children before they are even born.

A fetus can be affect thru their mother’s blood stream and after birth thru

breast milk. This early exposure to second hand smoke can cause miscarriages,

low infant birth weight. For newborn infant passive smoke has been linked

to SIDS, many studies claim the exposure to passive smoke increase the

chance of SIDS. Passive smoke increases infections in children of all

ages, including ear infections that can cause deafness.

For a child’s respiratory system passive smoke is blamed for asthma,

croup, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Passive smoke basically reduces

a child’s lung functions. Some other health concerns for children

that smoke exposure causes are childhood obesity, allergies, and

growth issues. A child exposed to smoke can be shorter than average

height. Allowing a child to breath second hand smoke is like allowing

them to smoke cigarettes from birth.

Conclusion

The diseases and health risks to nonsmokers are numerous, varied and

in some cases deadly. No one is exempt from the effects of passive smoke,

not the young or old. These reasons alone make the new laws controlling

second smoke exposure to the public necessary. The rights of individuals to

smoke can not over ride the health of all people. Second smoke causes

many health risks to nonsmokers, ones that smokers may not even release.

References

B.G. (2009). Second hand smoke may cloud memory. Arthritis Today, July/August

2009. Volume 23, Issue 4, pages 57-57. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Birru Rachel L., Di Y. Peter (2012). Pathogenic mechanism of second hand smoke

induced inflammation and COPD. Frontiers in Physiology, August 2012, Volume 3,

pages 1-8. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Heffeman T.M., O’Neill T.S. (2013). Exposure to second smoke damages prospective

memory. Addiction, 2013. Volume 108, Issue 2, pages 420-426.

Robson D. (2009). Fuming. New Scientist, April 2009. Volume 202, Issue 2702,

pages 37-37. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Sciencedaily (2012). Second hand smoke linked to raise diabetes risk. June 2012.

www.sciencedaily.com.

TobaccoSmoke (2011). Scientific information about exposure. www. tobacco smoke.

exposure science.org/ABCS/.