Cotinine (Urine) Tips

Its been proven without doubt that smoking is the most important cause of chronic bronchitis. Quitting smoking even if it is very late in the disease has definite benefits. It improves further detiroration of fev1 and improves breathless.

As per myriad medical reports the world over, lung cancer is the number 1 killer cancer in the world, and one of the most common as well. This is closely followed by breast cancer. Yet, there are a number of types of cancer that can affect people all over the globe. Bladder cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer which takes place due to the abnormal growth of cells in the inner lining of the bladder.

There are many causes of bladder cancer, including genetics and smoking as well as exposure to a number of chemicals. Read on to know more about the same, and why it is imperative to give up smoking to avoid bladder cancer, or to treat it effectively.

Smoking: Smoking and the use of tobacco is one of the most important causes of bladder cancer. It is a common misconception that smoking can only cause lung cancer. It can cause many types of cancer, including bladder cancer, because of the chemical exposure that happens when a person smokes. There are approximately 7,000 chemicals that are used when one cigarette is created, as per many studies and reports. These can have a harmful effect on the various organs of the body.
Smoking and its effect on the bladder: So what happens to the bladder when you smoke? Cigarettes contain a number of chemicals, which are mostly carcinogenic. These get into the urinary tract and start to clog the inner lining of the bladder, because they do not get flushed out like normal waste with the urine. Eventually, these chemicals begin to erode the inner lining which leads to the accelerated and abnormal rate of cell growth in the region. This leads to the manifestation of a tumour, which may or may not be malignant.
Urine and chemicals: When the chemicals from the cigarette begin to gather in the urinary tract, the bladder tends to remain in prolonged contact with this carcinogenic infested urine. This can lead to exposure to the elements, which can trigger abnormal cell growth and problems in the bladder. These high concentration levels of toxins in the urine eventually affect the functioning of the bladder.
Smokers and non-smokers: As per many medical studies, those who do not smoke but have a family history of the condition, as well as other environmental factors like exposure to certain types of chemicals in their workplace or other areas, may be twice as susceptible to the growth of bladder cancer. But as per the same studies and medical reports, those who smoke, are actually four times more susceptible to bladder cancer.
Therefore, it is imperative to stop smoking so as to prevent the onset of this potentially fatal disease.

E-cigarettes or electronic cigarettes are a device that runs on a battery that emits vaporized nicotine for you to inhale. Instead of vaporized nicotine, some models contain a non-nicotine solution. E-cigarettes are aimed at people looking to experience a sensation that is similar to inhaling actual tobacco smoke without the smoke.

In terms of structure, e-cigarettes are similar to cigarettes and cigars. Most of the models can be reused as they come with refillable cartridges.

How do E-cigarettes work?

There are four parts in an e-cigarette

A mouthpiece

The mouthpiece is attached to one end of a tube. There is a small plastic cup in it with an absorbent material that contains the liquid solution. You can either refill the mouthpiece or replace it.

A heating coil

The heating coil heats the solution that causes it to vaporize.

A battery

A battery is used power the e-cigarette. The battery is rechargeable.

A sensor

The sensor is used to activate the heating coil you inhale on the device. There may be an LED indicator, which will blink when you inhale.

You place your lips on the mouthpiece and a sensor present in the e-cigarette immediately activates the heating element. The heat generated vaporizes a liquid solution into the mouthpiece. This is when you inhale the vaporized solution.

The nicotine content of an e-cigarette can range from zero to 36 mg per ml.

The solution in these cigarettes is made from mixing nicotine extracts with a base like propylene glycol. In addition to the base, flavours like menthol and watermelon may also be added.

Drawbacks of E-cigarettes

Accidental swallowing of the solution in the E-cigarette can cause poisoning that could turn fatal.

The presence of nicotine can make it addictive. Nicotine also causes changes in the brain of adolescents.

A pregnant woman using E-cigarettes can put the growth of the foetus in jeopardy.

There is little statistics to show that people using E-cigarettes have quit smoking.

It has been observed that teenagers using e-cigarettes turn to regular tobacco in later life.

Substances present in e-cigarettes like diacetyl can harm the lungs. It can lead to a disease called the popcorn lung that causes irreversible changes in the lungs.

Exposure to e-cigarettes also limits the cells present in the lungs to repair themselves.

There is a possibility that E-cigarettes can lead to lung and bladder cancer in humans. It may also cause heart disease.

Conclusion

If you want to lead a healthy life then nicotine in any form should be avoided. If quitting regular cigarettes is your aim, then instead of pacifying yourself with e-cigarettes you can take healthier approaches like doing yoga and meditation. These two practices have proven to be very successful in helping people quit smoking.

Smoking can have adverse effects on your health that may result in a number of diseases, and also can degrade the overall health condition. Thus, every packet of cigarette comes with the warning Smoking is injurious to health . Yet, for those who are habituated to it, it can be extremely difficult to heed the caution and quit.

If you are one of those smokers contemplating quitting, here are some of the compelling reasons to embark on the road to good health immediately. Read on to know about the long-term effects that smoking can have on your lungs:

1. The cleaning of the lungs gets disrupted
Every time you smoke, the harmful chemicals that cigarette contains lead to damaging your breathing and scaring your lungs in some way. As a result of smoking, the cleaning system of the lungs is greatly disrupted. The lungs have Cilia' or broom-like hairs that play a crucial role in cleaning the lungs. When you start smoking, the functioning of the cilia starts to slow down, and this goes on for several hours, interfering with the functioning of the lungs.

2. Increases the inflammation as well as irritates
Just like humans age, so do the lungs. With ageing, it's very normal for your lungs to not function as effectively as they used to once. However, smoking makes the ageing of the lungs faster. Plus, the airways of the lungs also get inflamed and irritated by smoking and as a result, become narrower and disrupt the normal airflow.

3. Tissue damage and poor immunity become evident
Smoking not only injures the lung tissues but also causes the immunity power of the lungs to decrease. While on one hand, the damaged tissues lead to decreased blood vessels and air spaces in the lungs, which disrupts the normal oxygen level in the blood, on the other hand, smoking impairs the natural defense power of the lungs, making the lungs more prone to critical lungs condition.

4. It may cause a number of lung conditions
Ranging from asthma, wheezing, to coughs and colds, smoking can lead to serious lungs diseases such as emphysema, breathing issues, breathlessness, pneumonia, chronic bronchitis and even lung cancer. Smoking can also cause debilitating and progressive disease, COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to develop.

No matter whether you smoke a pipe or a cigar, as long as they contain cancer-causing chemicals in them, smoking poses a serious threat to your health. In case you are a smoker or were one and are suffering from breathing issues or other lung problems, make it a point to consult with a pulmonologist right away as your smoking may have a role to play in your illness.

The term pollution means the introduction of harmful and unwanted contaminants into our environment. Due to the borderless nature of our atmosphere and oceans, contamination at a small level can have a huge impact that to in places which are nearby and one of the best examples of this is crop stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana which is a major contributor to Delhi smog. Pollution is a slow poison and is deleterious to the life of all beings, including plants, animals, and humans. With the rise in the pollution levels, no one can escape the harmful effects of the same on health. Though pollution poses a great threat to everyone, it is the children who are most affected, let us read on to know the reasons

Why are children more susceptible to pollution?

The lung function, immune system, and metabolic systems in children are not fully developed and functional which makes it difficult for the body to fight these pollutants.
Children breathe in more air per kilogram of their body weight than adults, so they take in more pollutants per breath.
Children are not only more active but also have a faster breathing rate than that of adults. This means that they take in more environmental toxins and at a much faster rate.
Understanding the effects of pollution on children s health

Exposure of pregnant women to polluted air is strongly associated with premature birth, low birth weight, and intrauterine growth retardation. Low birth weight babies and premature infants are more prone to developmental delays and other disorders.
Exposure to certain pollutants like carbon monoxide and ozone are linked with septal and valvular defects in the heart of a child.
There is a strong association between particulate pollution and symptoms like wheezing and bronchitis in both adults and children. This is the main reason why there is an increased prevalence of Asthma in children in urban areas. Research has shown that a high level of pollutants in air cause deficits in lung function growth.
The immune system which protects the body from infections and germs is not fully developed in children. Pollutants are known to cause suppression of immunity in small children making them more prone to infections.
Children need sufficient Vitamin D for strong and healthy bones. Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin and is synthesized in the body on exposure to UVB rays of the sun. Increased particulate components in the air reduce the amount of UVB radiation reaching the ground level. More than 60% of children are Vitamin D deficient and require supplements orally.
The exhaust of gasoline and diesel is known to emit carcinogens which are thought to play a role in the development of leukemia (blood cancer) in children.
The nervous system is a target for many environmental pollutants. Exposure to these pollutants can lead to neurological deficits and delays in development. Some of these effects are irreversible and long-lasting.
Unfortunately, with urbanization and increased population, the levels of particulate pollutants in the air are increasing at an alarming rate. The problem of pollution needs to be addressed immediately, until then it is best to keep the children indoor and take necessary precautions and keep children safe from exposure to the pollutants.

Smoking can have adverse effects on your health that may result in a number of diseases, and also can degrade the overall health condition. Thus, every packet of cigarette comes with the warning Smoking is injurious to health . Yet, for those who are habituated to it, it can be extremely difficult to heed the caution and quit.

If you are one of those smokers contemplating quitting, here are some of the compelling reasons to embark on the road to good health immediately.

Read on to know about the long-term effects that smoking can have on your lungs:

1. The cleaning of the lungs gets disrupted
Every time you smoke, the harmful chemicals that cigarette contains lead to damaging your breathing and scaring your lungs in some way. As a result of smoking, the cleaning system of the lungs is greatly disrupted. The lungs have Cilia' or broom-like hairs that play a crucial role in cleaning the lungs. When you start smoking, the functioning of the cilia starts to slow down, and this goes on for several hours, interfering with the functioning of the lungs.

2. Increases the inflammation as well as irritates
Just like humans age, so do the lungs. With aging, it's very normal for your lungs to not function as effectively as they used to once. However, smoking makes the aging of the lungs faster. Plus, the airways of the lungs also get inflamed and irritated by smoking and as a result, become narrower and disrupt the normal air flow.

3. Tissue damage and poor immunity become evident
Smoking not only injures the lung tissues but also causes the immunity power of the lungs to decrease. While on one hand, the damaged tissues lead to decreased blood vessels and air spaces in the lungs, which disrupts the normal oxygen level in the blood, on the other hand, smoking impairs the natural defence power of the lungs, making the lungs more prone to critical lungs condition.

4. It may cause a number of lung conditions
Ranging from asthma, wheezing, to coughs and colds, smoking can lead to serious lungs diseases such as emphysema, breathing issues, breathlessness, pneumonia, chronic bronchitis and even lung cancer. Smoking can also cause debilitating and progressive disease, COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to develop.

No matter whether you smoke a pipe or a cigar, as long as they contain cancer-causing chemicals in them, smoking poses a serious threat to your health. In case, you are a smoker or were one and are suffering from breathing issues or other lung problems, make it a point to consult with a pulmonologist right away as your smoking may have a role to play in your illness.

If you ve read the newspaper recently, you would undoubtedly have read about the alarming air pollution levels. Whether it is of exhaust fumes from cars and factories or smoke from burning stubble; air pollution is a cause of great concern. The effects of this can be seen in the growing number of asthma and other respiratory diseases. These diseases affect adults and children alike, however, it is the younger generation and elderly people are most susceptible.

How does Pollution affect your health?
When it comes to air pollution, particulate matter is the greatest worry. This can be described as a mixture of solid and liquid particles that remain suspended in the air. Inhaling air with this particulate matter leads to their deposition on the lining of the respiratory tubes and organs. This can hinder the normal functioning of the respiratory system and act as catalysts for reactions that can harm your health. Along with the lungs, inhaling this particulate matter can also affect the heart and other organs. It also increases susceptibility to allergic reactions and diseases such as asthma.

Protecting yourself from air pollution
Simply talking about how there need to be stricter laws about car emissions and the burning of waste will not help you. Here are a few things you can do to protect yourself and your family from the ill-effects of air pollution.

Carpool: Exhausts from cars and other vehicles are one of the biggest causes of air pollution. Do your part to reduce air pollution by restricting the amount you use your car. Try taking public transport to work or carpool with colleagues. Similarly, avoid making individual trips every time you need something from the market. Make a list and when it s long enough, then step out.

Limit indoor pollution: Do not smoke indoors. When cooking, keep the exhaust fan on so that the smoke produced does not collect indoors. Avoid spraying air fresheners, etc. While they may temporarily make the air smell fresh, in the long run, they contribute towards air pollution.

Check the weather before you step out: Just as you can see the daily temperature on your phone, a number of sites also tell you the pollution levels in your city. Avoid stepping out in the early morning and during peak traffic hours as this is when pollution levels are highest. When the air pollution levels are high, keep your windows closed as well.

Cover your nose: Invest in a face mask. This will help filter the air you breathe and keep particulate matter from entering your system.

As you know, several scientific studies have proven that smoking is one of the main causes of several serious ailments like cancer, lung diseases, asthma and so on. Pregnant women who smoke not only spoil their own health, but also the health of the lovely kid in their womb. Yet many women wonder whether smoking really affects pregnancy and the answer is quite in the affirmative.

Cigarette chokes the baby in the womb: It is known that cigarette smoke contains more than 4000 chemicals including lead and cyanide. In fact, it is one of the few products that contain more than 60 different types of cancer-causing chemicals and compounds. It would be interesting to note that none among these 4000 chemicals is beneficial to the expectant mother and to the baby in the womb. In fact, cigarette smoke chokes not only the expectant mother but also the baby inside. As a result, frequent chocking causes serious effects on the health of the fetus.
Grouped into three categories: Smoking directly affects the health of the fetus. Premature babies, stillborn babies and underweight babies are some of the results of smoking prior to pregnancy. As a matter of fact, smoking by women could be grouped into three namely smoking before, during and after pregnancy. This issue is further discussed here:
It is strongly suggested that women planning on pregnancy should stop smoking at least few months before they conceive. In the first place, smoking may affect the fertility of both men and women. Therefore, the couple should stop smoking, if they are planning to have a baby. Further, if the couple does not quit smoking and the woman becomes pregnant, then it can seriously affect the health of the baby.
Whether you smoke during the first three months or during the last phase of the pregnancy, tobacco can severely harm the health of the fetus. The increase of monoxide in the bloodstream caused by smoking tobacco will enter the bloodstream of the mother and also of the child in the womb. Naturally, this will affect the growth of the child. It can cause visual and/or hearing impairment, behavioural problems and also mental disability of the baby.
Post pregnancy, the mother should breastfeed the baby. Smoking can retard the secretion of milk in the breast. Further, the dangerous chemicals present in the smoke of tobacco will make its presence in breast milk. Naturally, this will affect the health of the baby.
Keeping in view the best interests of the mother and baby, it is strongly suggested that the couple should stop smoking, if they want to have a baby. After all, the health of the baby and of the couple is a matter of primary importance.

Smoking is a die-hard habit and many people eventually die of the same. It remains one of the most common causes of cancer and lung diseases which eventually lead to death. The irony is that almost all smokers know the harmful effects but find it hard to quit. With a firm determination, there are people who quit but then the relapse rate is quite high too.

Many believe that quitting requires a behavioural change. From peer pressure to a lifestyle habit, smoking is a social phenomenon. There are various methods to help quit smoking like quitting cold turkey and nicotine substitutes. Hypnosis is also gaining popularity as a method to help quit smoking. Research has shown an encouraging success rate in the range of 30 to 40% in cases where the desire and commitment to quit are high. This, of course, is with people who have a strong will and are able to be hypnotized.

Hypnosis or hypnotherapy is a psychological technique used as supplemental therapy in a lot of cases - weight loss, depression, speech disorders, pain management, de-addiction; the list can be quite long. It puts the person undergoing therapy into a deep sleep or trance, where they get in touch with themselves and find answers to a lot of questions. It is believed that while hypnosis puts a person to sleep, it also induces a higher level of cognition and a higher level of neurological activity.

'During the actual session, the smoker is asked to imagine the numerous ill-effects of smoking and the need to reduce its harmful effects on the body. This improves the will power to quit smoking and reduces the desire. They are also advised of the benefits of quitting smoking, including longevity of life and better quality of life. The person is told that quitting smoking before 50 years of age gives a 50% chance of increase the lifespan by 15 years. Now that is quite motivating for a lot of smokers to give up the habit.

It generally takes about 4 full sessions of hypnotherapy to reach a level where the patient is ready to kick the habits. Also, self-hypnosis can be taught where the person can go into hypnosis on his own and enforce smoking cessation. There are even self-hypnosis tapes that are available for aid.

However, a word of caution here - hypnosis is not for everybody as not everybody can be hypnotized easily and there has to be a strong belief that it will benefit, only then can smoking cessation be tried with hypnosis. It is still in the testing phase and is to be medically proven as a way to quit smoking.

Pulmonary tuberculosis was a fatal disease in the past in India. On average, 95% of the deaths occur in third world countries, especially the developing ones, due to tuberculosis. In India, the deaths account to 50% out of the 95%. Such is the scenario that everyone is apprehensive if they have a prolonged cough and cold. As sputum with blood is one sign that the person is suffering from tuberculosis, steps must be taken promptly and at a swift pace to streamline things for quick care.

Tuberculosis is an air-borne disease and it can easily travel through the air when the affected person is in contact. In tuberculosis, specific bacteria called mycobacterium tuberculosis affects the lungs. On average, 10% of such infections progress into acute disease and kill the affected individuals.

The symptoms of tuberculosis are seen more in patients suffering from AIDS as their immunity is often compromised. Early detection can be made possible through a chest X-Ray, microscopic examination, and the nature of the fluids. In case you are suffering from a prolonged cough and cold, you must go for a tuberculin skin test or blood test to find out more about the problem.

Why is it important to eat a proper diet during pulmonary tuberculosis?
Malnutrition and pulmonary tuberculosis are interrelated. If you are eating right and inducting all healthy meals in your daily lifestyle, it will build your immunity and help fight against grave diseases. When you have pulmonary tuberculosis, the desire or craving for the food will disappear and eventually, your body will wither off. You will lose mass by losing muscles.

So, eating healthily can only help you stay strong to defeat pulmonary tuberculosis. Those who are suffering from tuberculosis face challenges with nutrients in their body. They are deprived of essential micro-nutrients and they have severe deficiencies of zinc, Vitamin A, D, C & E, selenium, iron and copper.

A protein- and vitamin-rich diet can boost the immunity of the body and prevent deadly diseases from wreaking havoc in the body. So, if you are wondering about food, here are a few items that you can eat and few that you can avoid when you have pulmonary tuberculosis.

Food to eat -

Kale and spinach are instant sources of high iron and Vitamin B, which will help you power up your immune system.
Whole grains like wheat, bread and cereals are a must-have during this time-tested period.
Carrots, peppers, tomatoes, blueberries, and cherries are rich anti-oxidants and they can boost your immune system by flushing out the oxidants from the body, which are tantamount to poison.
Vegetable oil (not butter) could be a green go during pulmonary tuberculosis.
Food to avoid -

Greasy food like beef, chicken, and mutton must be avoided. They can increase the cholesterol level in the body and compromise on the power of immunity.
Avoid margarine and butter. One should not eat cake, pastries, and other food with hydrogenated oil.
Keep an eye on your regular diet, work to build strong immunity, and always stay healthy.