What is atherosclerosis?Atherosclerosis refers to the build up of plaque in the walls of the arteries leading to a reduction in the calibre of the vessel.

The narrowing does not occur suddenly but builds up over several years where cholesterol, fat and the smooth muscle cells lining the blood vessels have been transformed into a thickened, and sometimes calcified, mass.

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What is lung cancer?The cells of all living organisms normally divide and grow in a controlled manner. Cancer results when this control process is lost. A lump or tumour, known as the primary tumour can grow locally or spread to produce secondary tumours somewhere else in the body. This spreading process is called metastasis.

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Nicotine and the toxic substances found in cigarette smoke have a huge impact on the detoxification process of the body.

• Smoking causes cell damage, which leads to diseases such as cancer, high cholesterol levels, coronary and circulatory problems, respiratory disorders and an increased risk of osteoporosis.
• Smoking drains the body of many essential vitamins and minerals, affecting your ability to absorb these vital nutrients.

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Nicotine is the ingredient that causes physical addiction to tobacco. It’s a stimulant and increases activity in the brain just like caffeine, cocaine and amphetamine. It’s also a powerful toxin, which is why you probably coughed your way through that first cigarette all those years ago.
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Secondhand smoke is simply other people’s tobacco smoke. Wherever people smoke, there is secondhand smoke in the air. Breathing in secondhand smoke is sometimes called passive smoking.

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Chronic bronchitis is a chronic inflammatory condition in the lungs that causes the respiratory passages to be swollen and irritated, increases the mucus production and may damage the lungs. The symptoms are coughing and breathlessness, which will get worse over the years.

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The outlook for men with erectile dysfunction (ED) has improved enormously in the first seven years of this century – so much so that almost all patients nowadays can be assured of a return to successful intercourse.

Many of these males feel that the new treatments for erection difficulty (formerly known as ‘impotence’ or ‘impotency’) have transformed their lives.

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Medicines can double your chances of quitting – although this is still a 20 per cent success rate at 12 months, rather than 10 percent.

There are few types of pharmaceutical products to help you quit, for example, nicotine replacement therapy.

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Many smokers are worried they will put on weight if they stop smoking, but in reality only a small number put on more than a few pounds.

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You will soon notice changes in your physical wellbeing when you quit smoking.Within a day or so of quitting your body gets rid of all the poisonous carbon monoxide gas found in cigarette smoke. As a result, oxygen levels in your blood increase and this will improve the appearance of your complexion.

Smoking also constricts blood vessels, so your blood will begin to flow more easily. If you have poor circulation, this means your fingers and toes won’t feel the cold as much.

Your sleep will improve once you are over the initial withdrawal symptoms. Your sense of taste and smell will improve quickly – so much so you may start to be irritated by others’ smoke and the way it clings to your clothes and hair.

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