How smoking and drinking affects the body

Most people are aware that smoking and heavy drinking are unhealthy habits, but not many realise just how much harm they can cause.

Dr Stanley Chia, cardiologist at Mount Elizabeth Hospitals, explains the effects of smoking and drinking on our health.

Growing up, many children may view drinking and smoking as privileges of adults and therefore 'cool' activities to engage in.

Media portrayal of smoking and alcohol use has certainly helped to perpetuate the appeal of these social habits.

The importance of public awareness about the dangers of heavy smoking and drinking has never been greater.

The danger of smoking

Cigarettes contain more than 4,000 chemical compounds and 400 toxic chemicals that include tar, carbon monoxide, DDT, arsenic and formaldehyde.

The nicotine in cigarettes, in particular, makes them highly addictive.

There are so many diseases caused by smoking that it's hard to decide where to begin.

Any amount and type smoking is bad for your health.

Besides being a notorious risk factor for lung cancer, coronary artery disease, heart attack and stroke, smoking can damage almost any organ in our body, leading to leukaemia and cancers of the kidney, pancreas, bladder, throat, mouth and uterus.

It can damage the airways and air sacs of our lungs to cause chronic bronchitis and breathing difficulties.

It can also raise our blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reduce bone density in women and increase the risk of infertility, preterm delivery, stillbirth and sudden infant death syndrome.

The danger of heavy drinking

Most people like to have a drink or two, be it beer, wine or spirits.

Light drinking is acceptable and may even be beneficial for the heart. Heavy and binge drinking, on the other hand, can lead to serious medical problems.

A healthy limit for drinking is usually no more than 2 drinks (3 units of alcohol) a day for men and 1 drink (2 units) a day for women.

Binge drinking means having 5 or more drinks for men and 4 or more drinks for women on one occasion.

Certain groups of people should not drink alcohol at all.

These include young people under the age of 18, pregnant women, people with certain health conditions, patients on medication that will interact with alcohol, recovering alcoholics, and people who intend to drive or do activities that require attention and coordination.

Heavy drinking can lead to many serious health conditions.

Binge drinking can cause immediate problems such as acute intoxication, nausea and vomiting, blurred vision, impaired judgment and alcohol poisoning.

In the long term, heavy alcohol consumption can cause high blood pressure, gastric problems, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, pancreatitis, memory impairment, alcohol dependence and various psychological conditions.

Excessive alcohol drinking can also result in accidental injuries and even death.

Pregnant women who drink heavily can harm their babies.

Effects of smoking and drinking on the heart

Both tobacco and alcohol share similar effects on the heart.

While the deleterious effect of smoking on the risk of cardiovascular disease is well-recognised and straightforward (the risk of heart disease increases with the amount of smoking), the impact of alcohol on drinking is more complex.

Some evidence suggests that moderate drinking (3 - 14 drinks a week) may be associated with a lower risk of heart attack, while heavier drinking may well increase the risk of heart attack, heart failure, stroke and high blood pressure.

As smoking is also common among alcohol drinkers, and smokers and drinkers frequently share similar behavioural and lifestyle patterns, it is currently unclear whether it is the combined or independent effects of smoking and alcohol that greatly raises cardiovascular risk.

Nonetheless, the health problems associated with excessive smoking and drinking are extensive.

Public health efforts to minimise the dangers of both smoking and drinking may significantly improve the well-being of society.

Benefits of kicking the habit

It is important to realise that by quitting smoking can improve your quality of life - physically, emotionally and financially.

It can help you and those around you breathe better and live longer.

People who stop smoking generally have an improved sense of smell and taste, feel less stressed and become more energetic.

They will usually have younger looking skin and improved fertility.

Their loved ones will be healthier as passive smoking is reduced.

For people who drink too much, alcohol tolerance can lead to false reassurance that they are drinking within limits, since they do not feel drunk.

Health benefits of reducing alcohol intake include weight loss, a reduced risk of many forms of cancer, less anxiety, clearer skin, no hangovers and better self-esteem.

How to quit

Smokers who quit smoking with support are more likely to succeed than those who do it on their own.

Hence, it is helpful for those trying to stop to consult a health professional on engage a smoking cessation programme.

For regular, very heavy drinkers, stopping alcohol abruptly can be dangerous.

They should therefore consult their doctors to manage the withdrawal symptoms.

Always remember that our health is important to us and our families, and we should take care to safeguard it.

This article first appeared in Health Plus, an online health and wellness web resource developed by Mount Elizabeth Hospitals, Singapore.