Why is smoking in winter especially harmful? The doctor named 9 negative consequences

Why is smoking in winter especially harmful? The doctor named 9 negative consequences

Street smokers in cold weather increase the risk of several diseases at once.

Medical Director of SITILAB, Ph.

Smoking is harmful regardless of the season, but in winter the negative impact on the body is even stronger. And here’s why.

Dryness of mucous membranes

Cold winter and heating season contribute to this. At the same time, smoking reduces local immunity, and various viruses (coronavirus, influenza viruses and other pathogens that cause acute respiratory infections) become even easier to penetrate the body, because the mucous membranes of the nose and throat – the entrance gate for infections.

Risk of infection

Alternately inhaling frosty air and hot tobacco smoke promotes increased sputum production, and if a virus has entered the body, the risk of bacterial infection increases.

Lung problems

Smoking leads to swelling and narrowing of the airways, causing shortness of breath. Excess mucus and impaired drainage from the bronchopulmonary system increases the risk of lung infections that start with wheezing and coughing.

A hoarse voice

The sudden change in temperature also affects the ligaments, due to which smokers often experience a hoarse voice.

Relapse of chronic diseases

It is not uncommon for smokers to go outside or on the balcony in light shoes and without outerwear, even in freezing weather – after all, it’s only for a couple of minutes. However, for an unhardened body, this is a strong stress, which can also lower immunity. As a result, there is an increased risk of getting not only acute respiratory infections, but a relapse of chronic diseases.

Dental diseases

From temperature differences, tooth enamel suffers, the contrast between hot and cold air can provoke the formation of microcracks.

Dry lip skin

Older smokers have a habit of licking their lips. This can cause cracks and soreness in the corners of the mouth.

Stress on the heart

The heart muscle has to work harder to pump blood in the cold. Smoking puts additional strain on the heart, raises blood pressure and increases the risk of thrombosis. At any time of year, it is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and in winter, the harm from cigarettes is even greater than usual.

Harm to others

We should not forget about the harm of passive smoking. If in winter, when you do not want to go out into the cold, smoke at home, all family members suffer from this.