Stop Smoking
It’s January 2011 and some of you are still smoking. Why? We all know that smoking is detrimental to your health. I assume that you are still smoking because you feel it is too hard to quit. Or perhaps your life is very stressful and you feel that you can’t afford to add smoking cessation to your ”to do” list. The truth is, you can’t afford not to. If you need a bit of motivation, keep reading.
Most of us know about smokers’ increased risk of lung cancer. But did you know that smoking increases your risk of many other types of cancer, as well as many serious diseases? Here are just a few reasons to quit smoking that you may not have heard before.
Smoking is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke. These are potentially fatal events.
For the men out there, smoking is a risk factor for a condition called peripheral vascular disease (PVD), which can cause erectile dysfunction. That is not cute.
Smoking increases your risk of cancer of the kidney, bladder, esophagus, liver and even the cervix.
Smoking is a risk factor for female infertility and miscarriage. If you are a woman, smoking can damage your fallopian tubes, where the egg and sperm meet. Damaged fallopian tubes can prevent you from becoming pregnant or increase your risk of ectopic pregnancy.
Second hand smoke is unhealthy for your children and those who live with you.
The evidence is clear. Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your health. But here is the good news. If you QUIT smoking, you can improve your health! Some people can quit just like that. Most cannot. If you need help, make an appointment with your doctor. But please make a plan to quit. Today.
