There would not be many people who are not aware about Smoking and its harmful effects. For decades, tobacco smoking has proved to be a cause for many dangerous consequences, including death. Tobacco and its products are known to carry several toxic substances that can affect your entire body.
It’s no surprise that medical experts across the world continue to stress upon the need to either quit smoking completely or reduce it. The harmful effects of smoking can be either immediate or over a period of time.
Before we address our core topic here, let us understand a bit about what smoking can do.
The Harmful effects of Smoking
Smoking can damage almost any organ/ part of your body. It remains the main cause for many chronic ailments as well as serious infections. Some of the critical systems in our body, which are at risk, are:
- Central Nervous System
- Respiratory System
- Cardiovascular System
- Digestive System
- Reproductive System
- Urinary System
This almost covers our entire body system. In addition to this excessive smoking can also lead to different types of cancers, vision impairment, irritability and anxiety as well as oral and dental issues. When we talk about the urinary system, the first thing which comes to our mind is kidneys. Tobacco can not only disrupt smooth kidney function, but also lead to Urological issues which can get complicated over a period of time. This brings us to our core topic of discussion,
7 Urologic Conditions impacted by Smoking
All of us know or have heard about the significance of our Urinary tract System. Our Urinary Tract System consists of Kidneys, Ureter, Bladder, Prostate and Urethra. Excessive smoking can affect almost all the five organs. Usually we see the kidneys and bladder being more susceptible to the dangerous effects of smoking.
Given below are some of the most commonly observed urological conditions that can be triggered by smoking.
Bladder Cancer
The bladder forms one of the important organs of the urinary system which stores the urine before it is released out of the body through the ureter. Excess smoking can lead to collection of harmful chemicals in the urine, which in turn can cause damage to bladder, leading to complications like Bladder Cancer.
Erectile Dysfunction
One of the common problems which is on the rise worldwide and affects men is a condition called Erectile Dysfunction. Studies conducted have shown that the prime reason for this condition is smoking which can damage the endothelial layer of penis.
Kidney Cancer
Both men and women are at a risk of developing Kidney Cancer due to excessive smoking. This happens since smoking releases harmful substances that are percolated in the Kidney. Several researches have shown that kidney cancer is one among the top ten most common cancers in men and women.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are not new. The collection of these small, crystalline objects within the kidney, blocks the smooth flow of urine. While smoking is seen as a major reason for kidney stones to form, it also reduces the kidney’s natural ability to melt the stones.
Pain in the Bladder
Women are more susceptible and at risk to suffer a painful bladder syndrome. This condition is also referred to as Interstitial Cystitis. Smoking not only leads to this disorder but also worsens it if smoking persists for a long period of time.
Urinary Incontinence
This is a widely observed urologic condition seen especially in older adults and senior citizens. Urinary Incontinence refers to the leakage of urine which can be extremely discomforting. This is mainly caused when smoking irritates the bladder and increases the urge to urinate.
Infertility
Infertility is a global issue where a woman fails to conceive despite having a natural sexual intercourse with her husband/ male partner. More men are seen as causes for infertility to be on the rise as they are more prone to smoking. This can lead to complications though there are advanced treatments to solve the issue.
Conclusion
The harmful effects of smoking are there for everyone to see. Most of the issues relevant to Urologic conditions have had the base reason as smoking. Seasoned Urologists associated with NU Hospitals in Bangalore continue to treat many complex cases like a Bladder Cancer which develops over a period of time. Uncontrolled smoking during these periods is seen as one of the main reasons. Hence, any symptoms observed with respect to kidney malfunctioning, bladder pain, discomfort while passing urine etc. should not be ignored.
Versatile Urologists at NU Hospitals will be able to properly diagnose any urologic condition and help you develop a smoking cessation plan to quit once and for all. If you have any urological questions or need personalized, confidential services, our efficient team of knowledgeable urological specialists are here to help.
