There are approximately 600 ingredients in cigarettes. When burned, they create more than 4,000 chemicals. At least 50 of these chemicals are known to cause cancer, and many are poisonous. Many of these chemicals are also found in consumer products, but these products have warning labels. While the public is warned about the danger of the poisons in these products, there is no such warning for the toxins in tobacco smoke. Here are a few of the chemicals in tobacco smoke, and other places they are found:
Nitosamines Acrolein
Hydrogen cyanide
Carbon Monoxide
Nitrogen oxide
difficulty breathing Ammonia Enhances the addictive power of nicotine, changes the nicotine into a gas that is more readily absorbed into the lungs, airways and bloodstreams , also kills cilia
Methods and ways to ensure the proper functioning of the respiratory system and its organs
By yourself you can carry out these few simple steps to ensure your respiratory system is in top shape.
Step 1
Exercise regularly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week to promote overall health. Always check with your doctor before beginning exercise, especially if you already have any respiratory or other types of conditions.
Step 2
Eat a diet rich in nutrients necessary for a healthy respiratory system. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, low levels of certain nutrients have been linked to
lung diseases. It recommends eating foods rich in vitamins A,C and E and the minerals zinc, potassium, selenium, magnesium and zinc.
Step 3
Drink plenty of water to help thin mucus secretions that accumulate in your lungs, facilitating easier breathing. You typically lose about 6.3 cups of fluids daily and drinking at least this much will ensure adequate fluid intake, explains MayoClinic.com.
Step 4
Add houseplants to your rooms. According to the British Columbia Lung Association, indoor plants can improve the quality of the air in your home by removing chemical vapors that can harm respiratory health.
Step 5
Wash your hands frequently, get vaccinated for the flu and practice good oral hygiene to prevent infections that can travel from the mouth to the rest of the body, notably your lungs.
Step 6
Exercise in cleaner conditions, such as side streets or parks away from busy thoroughfares. Walking or jogging on the side of busy streets leads to breathing in harmful fumes. Check air quality reports for your area so that you don't exercise outside on heavily polluted days.
Other precautions :
Employers should wear a respirator ( protective device that covers the nose and mouth or the entire face or head to guard the wearer against hazardous atmospheres) when working in hazardous workplaces. Avoid people with coughs or cold which can cause respiratory infections Cover your nose when you sneeze Do not share personal items such as towels or handkerchiefs when you have colds Maintain good hygiene to prevent infections Take a vacation every now and then to get fresh air into your body Rest when your tired . do not overwork yourself to the point of exhaustion Be sensitive to the changes in your body And if all else fails , consult a doctor if you feel something is wrong
Figure 1 : A respirator