If you are regularly using nicotine, it may not seem to not have consequences on your everyday life, but it is taking a toll on your body’s ability to function properly. The consistent use of nicotine can lead to a greatly increased risk of many diseases and health conditions. These effects will often not show any signs for a long time while you are smoking but may present themselves later in life.
Common Diagnoses
The body is affected drastically when presented with nicotine. Our cardiovascular system and respiratory system are the most affected.
The following conditions are some of the most common to be diagnosed due to the use of nicotine:
Cancer
Cancer begins when abnormal cells replicate so much that they inhibit our body from functioning properly. A variety of risk factors can lead to cancer. However, smokers tend to have an increased chance of developing cancer at some point during their life.
Lung cancer is caused by smoking nine out of 10 times that this form of cancer is diagnosed. Though lung cancer is the most common cancer caused by smoking, the risk of developing cancer in other areas of the body, especially near the mouth and esophagus, is also greatly increased by nicotine use.
Heart Disease
Smoking also increases the chances of having heart problems after consistent use. Coronary artery disease is the most common form of heart disease that arises from smoking. When someone has this disease, the veins that carry blood to their heart are restricted, blocking blood flow throughout their whole body.
Not only does smoking increase the chances of developing coronary artery disease, but it also increases the likelihood of death due to this condition. Secondhand smoke can also influence the likelihood of heart disease, especially if the exposure to secondhand smoke is over a long period.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), also greatly influenced by smoking, is a disease that causes the airways to be obstructed.
Smokers account for 75% of the population diagnosed with COPD. Because smoking is the act of inhaling foreign particles, such as nicotine, the respiratory system is likely to suffer the consequences. Consistently lacking oxygen throughout the body can cause a variety of serious physical and mental issues.
Developmental Effects
Nicotine itself has a strong effect on the development of the brain when the substance is used by an adolescent. The substance alters the way the synapses in the brain connect to form memories and neural pathways. Nicotine’s effects on this process can establish a neurological need for the substance. It can disrupt the process of creating memories, which would impair the brain’s ability to learn and process information.
Although nicotine use is often relied on as a coping mechanism to relieve stress, the withdrawal symptoms that happen after consistent use will cause more stress than the substance initially relieved. The influence that nicotine has on stress levels and brain development can lead to serious abnormalities in the long run. Using nicotine products to manage our stress and mental processes while our brain is still developing can cause a variety of issues and hinder the brain from full development.
Nicotine is present in a variety of substances such as cigarettes, e-cigarettes (vapes), cigars, and all tobacco products. As e-cigarettes are newly popularized, many people assume that they are much healthier to smoke than regular cigarettes. While the act of vaping may seem to be safer, the product that is being inhaled still contains a large amount of nicotine, which is the substance that causes all of these negative effects.
Psychological Effects
In addition to its many potential physical side effects, nicotine use can have psychological consequences as well. If you use nicotine, your ability to manage stress, cope with frustration, and control your impulses will often be affected. Nicotine may provide benefits for emotional regulation and behavioral control while you are using, but during the withdrawal phase, emotions often become extremely heightened. This can be dangerous for the potential of addiction, leading your body to feel that it needs to continue the use of nicotine so that you can regulate your emotions.
Working to develop healthy coping mechanisms through treatment or therapy can help you overcome the phase of frustration when attempting to stop the use of nicotine. When you allow your body to work through withdrawals and discover ways to manage stress on its own, you are allowing your overall mental health to improve. Conversely, continuing to rely on this substance to cope with external stressors often leads to a greater amount of use. Increased usage increases the chances of any of these health effects occurring. Being aware of how nicotine affects your mindset is essential to avoid the substance becoming a necessity.
Nicotine is in a variety of different products and is sometimes used as a coping mechanism for stress. There are rarely initial consequences for the use of nicotine, but there are many serious long-term health effects that come into play later on in life after consistent nicotine use. The risks of being diagnosed with cancer, heart disease, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are all greatly increased for people who use of have previously used nicotine products. In addition to increasing the potential for disease, nicotine can also affect the body’s ability to retain and store information, manage stress, and develop properly. It is important to be aware of the potential risks to your future health when choosing to use this product. Quitting use can stop you from continuing to increase your chances of these issues arising. For more information or to get help, call Dream Recovery today at (949) 732-1960.