Scientific Effects of Smoking on the Human

¶ … scientific effects of smoking on the human body especially on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. We will give a brief analysis on how smoking affects the mentioned systems and see how the human body system works if the individual does not smoke. We will also support our paper with scientific and statistical evidence regarding the facts related to smoking.

Smoking and its effects

Before looking at smoking and its effects lets review on how the respiratory and cardiovascular systems work. When we breathe air it first enters Trachea/windpipe through which it enters on each of the bronchi present at both of the lungs. The bronchus is spread throughout the lungs like branches on trees and at its tips is as thin as a hair (bronchioles). Each lung has about thirty thousand bronchioles. At the tip of every bronchiole lies an area which leads to tiny air sacs known as alveoli. Every alveoli has the covering of very small blood vessels known as capillaries, the capillaries are so small that blood's cells line up in a single file through them.

Whenever we breathe the air passes through the windpipe and goes through bronchus towards the alveoli, here the oxygen from the air we breathe is transferred to the blood cells as they line up in capillaries. A similar process goes in reverse when we exhale air out of our system. Here instead of transferring oxygen to the blood cells the carbon dioxide is driven out of the system almost through the same routine just in reverse. Now, lets see how smoking impacts our body and what problems it causes to the health.

There are many different damaging compounds present in cigarettes, these include Tar, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, different metals and radioactive compounds. Tar is a very sticky component which can stain bones, lung tissues or the fingernails.

Tar also consists of carcinogen benzo (a)pyrene which can trigger tumor cells within the body (cancer). The carbon monoxide gas is odorless and is very fatal on large doses since it has the property of taking place of oxygen present at the blood, this means less oxygen reaching many vital organs such as heart and brain. Lungs also contain tiny elements known as cilia which help them to clean themselves by keeping the useless material out, here hydrogen cyanide present in cigarettes can greatly damage this process by damaging cilia.

"Effects of smoking on the respiratory system include the irritation of windpipe and voice box" (Lewis 2003). It also reduces the overall lung functionalities and breathing capabilities due to the swelling of lung airways. Smoking also damages the clearance system present in the lungs which can lead up towards the piling of poisonous substances within the respiratory system causing lung irritation as well as damages. If the mentioned problems go on consistently then it can go on to damage the air sacs of the lungs on permanent basis.

Let's focus on its effects on circulatory system, it can lead towards high blood pressure as well as heart rate since the body would get less oxygen than usual. "Smoking can tighten blood vessels present in the skin which can result in a significant drop in overall skin temperature" (Heirich 1998). Smoking can also make the blood more sticky which is more likely to clot. It can also damage arteries which can lead towards fatty deposits being build-up at artery walls.

Besides the above mentioned circular and respiratory systems it can also have a devastating effect on immune system and musculoskeletal system. "If the immunity procedure in the body doesn't work properly then it can make the person more prone to diseases" (Klaidman 1991). It can also cause tightening of muscles and the reduction of bone density. "The body may experience reduction in the abilities of smelling and tasting due to smoking" (Bunton 2002). Now, let's have a look at some scientific and statistical facts regarding smoking.