HOW SECOND HAND SMOKE THREATENS YOUR HEALTH

HOW SECOND HAND SMOKE THREATENS YOUR HEALTH
BY: ALEX FIR
secondhand smoking, breathing in of
environmental tobacco smoke (ets), is also
CALLED PASSIVE SMOKING. IT IS WHEN A PERSON
breathes in smoke given off into the environment
by other people.

secondhand smoke or ets is a combination of side
stream smoke coming straight from the burning
TOBACCO AND THE MAINSTREAM SMOKE THAT IS EXHALED
by the smoker. it comprises of over 4000
chemical constituents, a large proportion of
WHICH ARE THE INDUCERS OF RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES
and around 40 are known or suspected
carcinogens.

the us environmental protection agency (epa) has
classified ets as a class a (known human)
CARCINOGEN ALONG WITH OTHER KNOWN CARCINOGENS
such as arsenic, asbestos and benzene etc.

ETS IS UNFILTERED, THUS THE LEVELS OF
carcinogens in it are much more than in smoke
inhaled directly by an active smoker. smoking of
A CIGARETTE PRODUCES SMOKE FROM TWO MAJOR
places, mainly from the tip of cigarette and
from the rest of the cigarette as the hot vapors
LIBERATED THROUGH THE CIGARETTE AND ITS FILTER.

about 70% to 80 % of ets is from the burning tip
OF CIGARETTE AND COMPRISES OF THE HIGHEST LEVELS
of nicotine, carbon monoxide, tar and various
other carcinogens. therefore, a constant
EXPOSURE TO AN ETS IS APPARENTLY EVEN MORE
injurious than directly smoking a cigarette for
an equivalent period.

effects of exposure to secondhand smoke

IMMEDIATE EFFECTS:

immediate effects of secondhand smoking comprise
OF EYE IRRITATION, COUGH, SORE THROAT, HEADACHE,
nausea and dizziness.

LONG-TERM EFFECTS:

lung cancer: the major cause of lung cancer
AMONG NON-SMOKERS IS SECONDHAND SMOKE. ONE OF
the studies revealed that hospitality workers
who were exposed to secondhand smoke became
THREE TIMES MORE PRONE TO LUNG CANCER.

cardiovascular problems: ets can induce
SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM HARM TO THE HEART BY
decreasing its functional capacity and lowering
the capacity of blood to carry oxygen. some of
THE CHEMICALS IN SECONDHAND SMOKE CAN BLOCK OR
harden the arteries, causing problems like
atherosclerosis, hypertension and later heart
ATTACK. IN ONE OF THE STUDIES, IT WAS FOUND THAT
secondhand smoking enhances the risk of a heart
attack by at least two times.

stroke: non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke
run at least 80% more risk of stroke than do the
NON-EXPOSED PEOPLE.

asthma: one of the studies revealed that the
NON-SMOKERS EXPOSED TO ETS AT WORK SHOWED AT
least twice the risk of asthma than the
non-exposed people did. those who were exposed
TO ETS AT HOME AS WELL, SHOWED AS MUCH AS FIVE
times greater risk for asthma than the
non-exposed people did. in individuals who
ALREADY SUFFER FROM ASTHMA, EXPOSURE TO ETS CAN
significantly decline their lung function.

BREAST CANCER: SOME OF THE RECENT STUDIES HAVE
revealed ets to increase the risk of breast
cancer among women.

effects on the fetus:

SMOKING BY A PREGNANT WOMAN CAN HAVE VARIOUS
serious consequences on the developing fetus.

· BABIES BORN TO WOMEN WHO SMOKED DURING THEIR
pregnancy have a low birth weight and are often
born prematurely.

· their organs, chiefly the lungs, are smaller
than of other babies and these babies are more
SUSCEPTIBLE TO COT DEATH.

· they are more prone to illness all their life
AND ARE MORE LIKELY TO BECOME ADDICTED TO THE
tobacco later in their life.

EFFECT ON CHILDREN

· kids that are exposed to secondhand smoke from
EITHER PARENT DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF THEIR
lives are far more likely to be afflicted with
asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, bronchiolitis and
OTHER RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS THAN KIDS WHO WERE
not exposed.

· SECONDHAND SMOKING MAY ALSO PREDISPOSE
children to the impairment of the blood
circulatory system, behavioral problems and
OLFACTORY (NASAL) PROBLEMS.

· it also increases their susceptibility to
DEVELOP CANCER DURING THEIR ADULTHOOD.

about the author:
CANCER IS ONE OF THE MAIN CAUSES OF DEATH AMONG
humans. visit "cancer information", free web
site for those who want to learn how to deal
WITH THIS VICIOUS DISEASE.
http://www.cancer-data.com [2]

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Colon Cancer News - The Must Know Basics Of Screening by Nancy Tagore

Five Stages Of Colon CancerColon cancer is a cancer that affects the four to five feet of the upper large intestine. In Stage 0, the cancer hasn't grown past the mucosa of the colon. In Stage I, the cancer has grown through the mucosa but hasn't spread past the colon wall. In Stage II, the cancer has penetrated the wall of the colon, but hasn't yet spread further. In Stage III, the cancer has invaded the surrounding lymph nodes. In Stage IV, the cancer has spread to distant organs through the cancerous lymph nodes. Although 49,920 deaths occur from colorectal cancer each year, it's believed many of these deaths could have been prevented with early detection and treatment.Cancer Risk FactorsThere are many important risk factors for cancer of the colon that makes someone a good candidate for colon cancer screening. Age is one factor, as about 90% of people diagnosed with this cancer are over 50. People are also more at-risk if they have ever had colorectal cancer, polyps, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, diabetes, acromegaly (a growth hormone disorder) or radiation therapy as part of another cancer treatment. Some studies have shown that a greater risk exists for people who eat diets low in fiber and high in fat/calories, or diets high in red meat/processed meats. Obese individuals and smokers have an increased chance of developing and dying from this type of cancer too. As with most health conditions, genetics also play a role in many cases.The Cause Of Colon CancerColon cancer is the uncontrolled growth, division and replication of altered cells, which stack up in the intestinal lining. In later stages, the cancer can penetrate the colon walls, spreading to lymph nodes and other organs. Precancerous growths, called colon polyps, appear as mushroom-shaped bumps or recessed lesions in the colon walls. There are three main types of colon polyps: inflammatory, adenoma and hyperplastic. Inflammatory polyps often come after having ulcerative colitis and are usually removed because they often become cancerous if left unattended. Adenomas are also removed to avoid cancer development. By contrast, hyperplastic polyps are rarely a cause for concern.Screening Procedures For Colon CancerThe most basic colon cancer screening is a stool blood test (or a fecal occult blood test), which allows a patient to take a kit home, create a sample and return that sample to the lab, where a doctor will examine the results under a microscope. Similarly, a stool DNA test will send the sample kit off to the laboratory for more in-depth analysis, which may be able to indicate DNA mutations or tumors that indicate the presence of cancer. A flexible sigmoidoscopy takes just a few moments, and involves a flexible, slender, lighted tube being inserted into the last two feet of the rectum and colon to see if any colon polyps are present. A barium enema uses a contrast dye and x-rays to evaluate the lining of the bowels. A colonoscopy is similar to the sigmoidoscopy, but the instrument allows the doctor the ability to search the entire colon and rectum for polyps, rather than just the lower portion. Lastly, a virtual colonoscopy uses a computerized tomography machine to take images of the colon, which is a less invasive than a conventional colonoscopy screening.Learn about natural colon cleansing and the importance of colon cancer screening:Natural Colon CleansingBest Natural Colon CleansersColon Cleansing ProductsThe message on Katie Couric's Notebook: Colon Cancer video may save your life: "If you don't get screened for yourself, do it for the people who love you."
About the Author
Nancy Tagore is an advocate for Colon Cancer Screening believer in the benefits of Natural Colon Cleaning.

New York Mesothelioma Lawyers

New York Mesothelioma Lawyers
By Kevin Stith

New York is the busiest city in the United States of America, where all types of people from different parts of the country make their way to earn their living. Therefore, every person has a high probability of facing an accident through the mistake of another one. In such cases, the victim who suffers such an unfortunate event has the full right to take legal action against the person responsible. This not only gives proper justice to the victim, but also gives him or her the opportunity to claim compensation for the accident.
Mesothelioma is a serious lung cancer that occurs in individuals exposed to asbestos. Most of the victims have inhaled or swallowed asbestos fibers. These fibers travel through the internal organs of the victim, and through the lung. Eventually this is wedged in the thin, saran wrap-type membrane lining the lungs.
More than 3,500 workers on average are diagnosed with mesothelioma and other various diseases related to asbestos each year. In recent times, New York has been the place with the highest incidence of mesothelioma.
A victim might be infected with malignant mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma or peritoneal mesothelioma. But whatever the type may be, an ordinary citizen has the right to claim compensation from various companies if he is infected with this disease. Although recently it has been seen that President Bush is shielding companies in asbestos lawsuits, the New York-based mesothelioma lawyers are equipped to fight disease-related cases. A victim of this disease can invest all his hopes for not only getting the compensation from the companies responsible for this, but also in taking a giant leap toward eradicating the whole problem.
New York Personal Injury Lawyers provides detailed information on New York Personal Injury Lawyers, New York Wrongful Death Lawyers, New York Mesothelioma Lawyers, New York Birth Injury Lawyers and more. New York Personal Injury Lawyers is affiliated with New York Personal Injury Lawsuits.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Stith