This Is What Smoking Does To Your Body

#1 Puff by puff, this is what occurs inside your body.

I bet you didn't know that even from the very first puff you ever take, you are causing a terrible effect on your body. Immediately the smoke that comes off of not only the cigarette but the match used to light it, will damage the mucus that lines your nose. The heat of the cigarette alters the areas around your mouth and nose as well. It makes your lips get darker, causes age spots and leads to early wrinkle formation. It's not the heat alone that causes the lip discoloration. The tar inside of cigarettes also sticks to your lips which causes them to stain.

#2 What smoking does to your mouth.

Once the smoke enters your mouth, the tar immediately begins coating your tooth enamel which causes them to take on a yellowish tinge. Meanwhile, the heat from the smoke harms the cells in your mouth, possibly leading to mutations. The deadly chemicals start to affect every part of the oral cavity almost immediately. They coat the palate, your cheeks, and your tongue. The smoke kills your taste buds and causes saliva deficiency. This is why many smokers complain of needing a drink afterward.

The chemicals inside of the smoke saturate the roof of your mouth causing what is known as "smoker's palate" which is when the top of your mouth is covered in white with tiny red spots. Smoking also destroys any good bacteria lurking in your mouth which causes bad breath and can lead to thrush. You also cannot forget about all of the gum diseases that it can cause as well as the possibility of oral cancer. Smoking will also damage your ability to smell.

When you inhale smoke, it damages the mucus lining your throat eventually making it completely useless. You will feel irritation and excessive dryness in your throat as well. As a matter of fact, probably the most common complaint that all smokers have is the feeling of an itch in the back of their throat.

That's not all. Smoking will also alter your voice. It will eventually lead to hoarseness. This is why you often hear smokers clearing their throats. Smoking can also lead to throat cancer.

#3 This is what happens to your windpipe once the smoke enters it.

The superheated smoke that you inhale from a cigarette eventually leads to a condition that is called smoker's cough. Basically, the smoke irritates your trachea, causing the formation of mucous which causes your trachea to itch. That itching leads to a deep phlegmy cough. Smoking can also cause laryngitis which is an infection of the larynx.

#4 It damages your esophagus.

No, that's not a typo. Smoking will harm your digestive tract as well. The smoke contains heat and chemicals which damage the esophageal sphincter making it weaker which can lead to GERD. For those who don't know what GERD is it stands for Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease. It's basically constant acid reflux and it's a horrible thing to have to deal with every day. You can also develop ulcers, acidity, and various other stomach issues.

#5 It does a number on your respiratory system.

Your respiratory system is probably the worst affected part of your body, to be honest. Smoking does a number on your lungs natural cleaning mechanism. You end up with "smoker's cough", which is caused by mucous building up inside your lungs. Emphysema is another danger related to smoking that is most seen in long time smokers. Smoking can also lead to a thickened walls along with a buildup of tar within your lungs. This will then lead to wheezing, dizziness, fatigue, and breathlessness.

The smoke itself contains high levels of carbon monoxide that can kill you if you inhale too much. From the brain to the liver, kidneys, blood and digestive system, smoking causes decay wherever it touches.

#6 This is what happens when you exhale the smoke

When you exhale, the entire process starts all over again. The chemicals that are deposited in your airways are doubled. Due to plaque formation, you begin to develop cardiovascular issues. Your blood vessels constrict leading to severe vascular disorders. Eventually, you suffer a loss of bone density which can cause problems like the loss of teeth, joint pains or osteoarthritis.

Your skin also ends up being affected by your smoking. You can develop edema, stains on your fingers and nails, and form wrinkles.

#7 In the end it's a lot of problems.

Man, that's a ton of issues that you can end up with just from smoking. Just think about that the next time you decide to take a puff. One minute of relief via nicotine can lead to a lifetime of health issues. Do yourself and everyone else a favor and stop now. Life is precious and yours is no less valuable than anyone else's. Kick the habit now while you still have a chance.