When it comes to long term health, there are really two categories of people. There are the smokers and the non-smokers. It is a well known statistical fact that the group of people that live longer are the non-smokers. I don't say this to strike fear in the smokers but to just state a fact. On average, a smoker dies about 8 years sooner than a non-smoker. A major cause of heart disease and lung disease is still smoking. 90 percent of all lung cancers are associated with smoking. Now, given that fact, how is it possible for someone to ever pick up a cigarette and begin this habit? The risks of all diseases that are associated with cancer increase with the number of cigarettes that are smoked per day. This is just the simple dose response curve that we do see in any addiction. 

Just as in obesity, there is an addiction. There is a mid-brain response to smoking as there is a mid-brain response to eating or any other addiction for that matter. Linus Pauling stated the fact that one pack per day smokers are twice as likely to get lung cancer as are non-smokers and a two pack per day smoker is three times more likely to get lung cancer. Since 1965 however, the number of smokers has dropped by over 50% in the population that is over the age of 18. That is a real sign of encouragement. Smoking is certainly a major player in heart disease but it is not the only one. I will spend this week talking about smoking and its effects. Next week I am going to talk about heart disease and what are the major players in this huge epidemic. 

Smoking kills over 400,000 people a year in America. This number is staggering. However, obesity still remains the number one cause of preventable death in America to this day. Another way to look at this statistic is that one in six people will die from cigarette smoking. If you want more statistics, if we combine all the people that die per year in accidents, AIDS, homicides, suicides, drug overdoses and fires, smoking still beats all of them put together. In many ways, the industry's attempt to reduce the amount of tar and nicotine has really had a disastrous effect on many people. Just like our former President, Bill Clinton, most people did not inhale deeply. However, with the reduction in tar and nicotine, more people are actually inhaling deeper. This deeper inhaling is actually causing much more damage to the small air sacs in our lungs. This is where the air becomes trapped and emphysema starts. There was one study that only 42% of male smokers reached the age of 73 compared with 78% of non-smokers. 

Not only does a smoker put themselves at risk, they also put their families and friends at risk. The second hand smoke is actually a little more dangerous. This second hand smoke actually contains the same contaminants but also contains smaller particles that can go deeper into the lung than the original particles. So, in essence the smoker gets another burst of even more dangerous particles and also shares with the kids and family members who are confined to the same space, such as a car or a room. Even if the smoker does not smoke in the car or in the house, the smoke and particles lingers on the clothes or in the person's hair. This is also sharing this allergens with the kids. Asthma and allergies are still on the rise. Asthma and allergies are often problems that can be eliminated when the allergen is exposed. We just have to find that allergic trigger. 

Throughout the week, I am going to talk about cigarette smoking and its effects on our nation and our health. I will tie this into heart disease over the following week. I want to get the message out to everyone. I would love for you to share these emails with your friends and family. I would appreciate you forwarding the Daily Dose to all of your contacts. I am truly motivated to get this message out.

Remember, it is a lot cheaper to stay well than to get well. If you haven't been trying to stay well, it is certainly time now. YOU have to tighten it up, know your health and know your risks. That is the purpose of the Daily Dose. I am asking you for a favor.  Please share the Daily Dose with your contacts. This will help everyone that you know.  I truly thank you.

To your Health,

Dr. Michelle Haendiges