How does smoking impact body temperature. What are the effects of smoking on various body systems. How does tobacco use influence cardiovascular health. What are the risks of smoking during pregnancy. How does secondhand smoke affect children’s health. What chemicals are present in cigarette smoke. How does nicotine addiction work.

The Impact of Smoking on Body Temperature and Circulatory System

Smoking has a significant effect on body temperature and the circulatory system. The chemicals in tobacco smoke constrict blood vessels, leading to a drop in skin temperature. This vasoconstriction can have far-reaching consequences for overall health.

Tobacco use raises blood pressure and heart rate, putting additional strain on the cardiovascular system. Smokers often experience reduced blood flow to their extremities, such as fingers and toes, which can result in a constant feeling of coldness in these areas.

Effects on Blood Composition and Circulation

Smoking alters blood composition in several ways:

• It makes blood ‘stickier’ and more prone to clotting
• Reduces the amount of oxygen carried by the blood during exercise
• Damages the lining of arteries, contributing to atherosclerosis

These changes significantly increase the risk of stroke and heart attack due to blockages in the blood supply. The impaired circulation can lead to a variety of health issues, from minor discomforts to life-threatening conditions.

Respiratory System Damage Caused by Smoking

The respiratory system bears the brunt of smoking’s harmful effects. Inhaling tobacco smoke causes immediate and long-term damage to the lungs and airways.

Short-term Effects on Breathing

Smokers often experience:

• Irritation of the trachea (windpipe) and larynx (voice box)
• Reduced lung function and breathlessness
• Increased mucus production in lung passages

Long-term Respiratory Consequences

Prolonged smoking leads to more severe respiratory issues:

• Impairment of the lungs’ clearance system, leading to buildup of toxins
• Increased risk of lung infections and chronic conditions like bronchitis
• Permanent damage to the air sacs of the lungs, reducing oxygen absorption

Can smoking cause permanent lung damage? Yes, smoking can cause irreversible damage to lung tissues, leading to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and increasing the risk of lung cancer.

The Chemical Composition of Tobacco Smoke and Its Health Implications

Tobacco smoke is a complex mixture of over 7,000 chemicals, many of which are harmful to human health. Understanding the composition of cigarette smoke helps to explain its wide-ranging effects on the body.

Key Components of Tobacco Smoke

• Tar: A sticky substance containing numerous carcinogens
• Carbon monoxide: A poisonous gas that interferes with oxygen transport
• Oxidizing chemicals: Highly reactive substances that damage heart muscles and blood vessels
• Metals: Including arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, and lead, many of which are carcinogenic
• Radioactive compounds: Known to contribute to cancer development

How many known carcinogens are in tobacco smoke? Tobacco smoke contains over 70 known cancer-causing chemicals, making it a significant risk factor for various types of cancer.

Smoking’s Impact on the Immune System and Overall Health

Smoking doesn’t just affect the respiratory and circulatory systems; it also has a profound impact on the body’s immune defenses and overall health.

Weakened Immune Response

Smokers often experience:

• Greater susceptibility to infections like pneumonia and influenza
• More severe and longer-lasting illnesses
• Lower levels of protective antioxidants in the blood

Effects on Other Body Systems

Smoking affects various other aspects of health:

• Musculoskeletal system: Causes muscle tightening and reduced bone density
• Digestive system: Irritates the stomach and intestines, increasing the risk of ulcers
• Sensory organs: Reduces ability to smell and taste, increases risk of blindness
• Skin: Leads to premature wrinkling and aging
• Oral health: Increases risk of gum disease (periodontitis)

Does smoking affect all organs in the body? Yes, smoking harms nearly every organ in the body, causing a wide range of diseases and reducing overall health.

The Impact of Smoking on Reproductive Health and Fertility

Smoking has significant negative effects on reproductive health for both men and women. These impacts can affect fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and overall sexual health.

Effects on Male Reproductive Health

In men, smoking increases the risk of:

• Lower sperm count
• Higher percentage of deformed sperm
• Genetic damage to sperm
• Impotence, possibly due to reduced blood flow to the penis

Effects on Female Reproductive Health

Women who smoke may experience:

• Reduced fertility
• Menstrual cycle irregularities or absence of menstruation
• Earlier onset of menopause (by one or two years)
• Increased risk of cervical cancer
• Higher risk of stroke and heart attack if taking oral contraceptives

Can smoking affect fertility? Yes, smoking can significantly reduce fertility in both men and women, making it more difficult to conceive and increasing the risk of complications during pregnancy.

The Dangers of Smoking During Pregnancy and Effects on Infants

Smoking during pregnancy poses serious risks to both the mother and the developing fetus. The harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke can cross the placenta, affecting fetal development and leading to various health issues.

Risks to the Unborn Baby

Maternal smoking can lead to:

• Increased risk of miscarriage and stillbirth
• Low birth weight
• Premature birth
• Birth defects
• Increased risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI)

Long-term Effects on Children

Children born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy may face:

• Higher risk of respiratory problems and asthma
• Increased likelihood of behavioral issues
• Potential cognitive and developmental delays

How does smoking during pregnancy harm the unborn baby? Smoking during pregnancy exposes the fetus to harmful chemicals, restricts oxygen and nutrient supply, and can lead to various developmental issues and health problems after birth.

The Addictive Nature of Nicotine and Challenges of Quitting

Nicotine, the primary addictive substance in tobacco, plays a crucial role in maintaining smoking habits. Understanding the nature of nicotine addiction is key to addressing the challenges of quitting.

How Nicotine Addiction Works

Nicotine addiction is characterized by:

• Rapid delivery of nicotine to the brain when smoking
• Short-term mood elevation and stress reduction
• Development of tolerance, requiring more nicotine over time
• Physical and psychological dependence

Challenges of Quitting

Smokers attempting to quit often face:

• Withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, and cravings
• Difficulty breaking habitual behaviors associated with smoking
• Weight gain concerns
• Stress management issues

Why is it so difficult to quit smoking? Quitting smoking is challenging due to the addictive nature of nicotine, established behavioral patterns, and the physical and psychological dependence that develops over time.

Despite these challenges, quitting smoking is one of the most important steps a person can take to improve their health. The benefits of quitting begin almost immediately and continue to accrue over time, reducing the risk of smoking-related diseases and improving overall quality of life.

As we’ve explored in this comprehensive guide, smoking affects nearly every aspect of human health, from body temperature regulation to reproductive health, and from respiratory function to cardiovascular health. The wide-ranging impacts of tobacco use underscore the importance of prevention and cessation efforts. By understanding these effects, individuals can make informed decisions about their health and take steps towards a smoke-free lifestyle.

While the challenges of quitting are significant, the health benefits far outweigh the temporary discomfort of nicotine withdrawal. With proper support, motivation, and cessation strategies, it is possible to overcome nicotine addiction and reap the numerous health benefits of a smoke-free life. As research continues to unveil the complex interactions between smoking and human health, the imperative to address this global health issue becomes ever more clear.

Smoking – effects on your body

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Summary

Read the full fact sheet

• Tobacco smoke contains over 70 known cancer-causing chemicals.
• Smoking harms nearly every organ in your body. 
• Smoking when you are pregnant causes harm to your unborn baby.
• Children exposed to second-hand smoke in their first year of life have a greater risk of illness and sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI).

Nicotine is the addictive drug in tobacco smoke that causes people who smoke to continue to smoke.

Along with nicotine, people who smoke inhale about 7,000 other chemicals in cigarette smoke. Many of these chemicals come from burning tobacco leaf. Some of these compounds are chemically active and trigger profound and damaging changes in the body.

Tobacco smoke contains over 70 known cancer-causing chemicals. Smoking harms nearly every organ in the body, causing many diseases and reducing health in general.

Dangerous chemicals in tobacco smoke

Highly damaging components of tobacco smoke include:

• tar – is the word for the solid particles suspended in tobacco smoke. The particles contain chemicals, including cancer-causing substances (carcinogens). Tar is sticky and brown, and stains teeth, fingernails and lung tissue
• carbon monoxide – is a poisonous gas. It is odourless and colourless and, in large doses, quickly causes death because it takes the place of oxygen in the blood. In people who smoke, the carbon monoxide in their blood makes it harder for oxygen to get to their organs and muscles
• oxidizing chemicals – are highly reactive chemicals that can damage the heart muscles and blood vessels of people who smoke. They react with cholesterol, leading to the build-up of fatty material on artery walls. Their actions lead to heart disease, stroke and blood vessel disease
• metals – tobacco smoke contains several metals that cause cancer, including arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead and nickel
• radioactive compounds – tobacco smoke contains radioactive compounds that are known to be carcinogenic.

Effects of smoking tobacco on the body

Inhaling tobacco smoke causes damage to many of the body’s organs and systems.

Effects of smoking on the respiratory system

The effects of tobacco smoke on the respiratory system include:

• irritation of the trachea (windpipe) and larynx (voice box)
• reduced lung function and breathlessness due to swelling and narrowing of the lung airways and excess mucus in the lung passages
• impairment of the lungs’ clearance system, leading to the build-up of poisonous substances, which results in lung irritation and damage
• increased risk of lung infection and symptoms such as coughing and wheezing
• permanent damage to the air sacs of the lungs.

Effects of smoking on the circulatory system

The effects of tobacco smoke on the circulatory system include:

• raised blood pressure and heart rate
• constriction (tightening) of blood vessels in the skin, resulting in a drop in skin temperature
• less oxygen carried by the blood during exercise
• ‘stickier’ blood, which is more prone to clotting
• damage to the lining of the arteries, which is thought to be a contributing factor to atherosclerosis (the build-up of fatty deposits on the artery walls)
• reduced blood flow to extremities (fingers and toes)
• increased risk of stroke and heart attack due to blockages of the blood supply.

Effects of smoking on the immune system

The effects of tobacco smoke on the immune system include:

• greater susceptibility to infections such as pneumonia and influenza
• more severe and longer-lasting illnesses
• lower levels of protective antioxidants (such as vitamin C), in the blood.

Effects of smoking on the musculoskeletal system

The effects of tobacco smoke on the musculoskeletal system include:

• tightening of certain muscles
• reduced bone density.

Effects of smoking on the sexual organs

The effects of tobacco smoke on the male body include an increased risk for:

• lower sperm count
• higher percentage of deformed sperm
• genetic damage to sperm
• impotence, which may be due to the effects of smoking on blood flow and damage to the blood vessels of the penis.

The effects of tobacco smoke on the female body include:

• reduced fertility, menstrual cycle irregularities, or absence of menstruation
• menopause reached one or two years earlier
• increased risk of cancer of the cervix
• greatly increased risk of stroke and heart attack if the person who smokes is aged over 35 years and taking the oral contraceptive pill.

Other effects of smoking on the body

Other effects of tobacco smoke on the body include:

• irritation and inflammation of the stomach and intestines
• increased risk of painful ulcers along the digestive tract
• reduced ability to smell and taste
• premature wrinkling of the skin
• higher risk of blindness
• gum disease (periodontitis).

Effects of smoking on babies

The effects of maternal smoking on an unborn baby include:

• increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth
• weaker lungs
• low birth weight, which may have a lasting effect of the growth and development of children. Low birth weight is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes in adulthood
• increased risk of cleft palate and cleft lip
• increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Passive smoking (exposure of the non-smoking mother to second-hand smoke) can also harm the fetus.

If a parent continues to smoke during their baby’s first year of life, the child has an increased risk of ear infections, respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia and bronchitis, sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) and meningococcal disease.

Diseases caused by long-term smoking

A person who smokes throughout their life is at high risk of developing a range of potentially lethal diseases, including:

• cancer of the lung, mouth, nose, larynx, tongue, nasal sinus, oesophagus, throat, pancreas, bone marrow (myeloid leukaemia), kidney, cervix, ovary, ureter, liver, bladder, bowel and stomach
• lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which includes obstructive bronchiolitis and emphysema
• heart disease and stroke
• ulcers of the digestive system
• osteoporosis and hip fracture
• poor blood circulation in feet and hands, which can lead to pain and, in severe cases, gangrene and amputation
• type 2 diabetes
• rheumatoid arthritis.

Where to get help

• Your GP (doctor)
• Your pharmacist
• QuitlineExternal Link Tel. 13 QUIT (13 7848)

• Winstanley M, et al., 2015, ‘Chapter 3. The health effects of active smokingExternal Link’, Tobacco in Australia: Facts and Issues, Cancer Council Victoria.
• Winstanley M, Ford C, Campbell M, 2017, ‘Chapter 4. The health effects of secondhand smokeExternal Link’, Tobacco in Australia: Facts and Issues, Cancer Council Victoria.
• Chamberlain C, O Mara-Eves A, Oliver S et al. 2013, Psychosocial interventions for supporting women to stop smoking in pregnancyExternal Link, Cochrane Summaries.
• Health effects of cigarette smoking, 2017, Office on Smoking and Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, USA.
• 2010 Surgeon General’s Report – How tobacco smoke causes disease: the biology and behavioral basis for smoking-attributable diseaseExternal Link, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA.
• A review of human carcinogens. Part E: Personal habits and indoor combustionsExternal Link, 2012, IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyons, France.
• The health consequences of smoking – 50 years of progress: a report of the Surgeon GeneralExternal Link, 2014, US Department of Health and Human Services.
• What’s in cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco?External Link, 2017, Quit Victoria.

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Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.

Reviewed on: 12-02-2019

Nicotine effects on thermoregulatory responses of men and women during acute cold exposure

Clinical Trial

. 2004 Jul;75(7):589-95.

Christopher C Cheatham 
¹
, Natalie Caine-Bish, Mark Blegen, Edward S Potkanowicz, Ellen L Glickman

Affiliations

Affiliation

• ¹ Exercise Sciences Laboratory, School of Exercise, Leisure, and Sport, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA. [email protected]

• PMID:

  15267080

Clinical Trial

Christopher C Cheatham et al.

Aviat Space Environ Med.

2004 Jul.

. 2004 Jul;75(7):589-95.

Authors

Christopher C Cheatham 
¹
, Natalie Caine-Bish, Mark Blegen, Edward S Potkanowicz, Ellen L Glickman

Affiliation

• ¹ Exercise Sciences Laboratory, School of Exercise, Leisure, and Sport, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA. [email protected]

• PMID:

  15267080

Abstract

Introduction:

Due to the impact of nicotine (NIC) on the physiological processes involved in temperature regulation during cold exposure, it is conceivable that NIC may affect the body’s thermoregulatory abilities during a cold stress. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of NIC on thermoregulatory responses during acute cold exposure.

Methods:

There were six men and six women between the ages of 18 and 25 yr who participated in this study. All subjects were active, apparently healthy smokers. Each subject performed two cold air trials consisting of a 30-min baseline period (BASE) and a 120-min exposure to 10 degrees C air. One cold air trial was performed following a NIC dosing using a 21-mg transdermal patch while the other trial was performed after a placebo (PL) treatment.

Results:

During the cold air trials, there were no differences in rectal temperature (Tre) or mean skin temperature (Tsk) between the PL and NIC treatments in either sex (p > 0.05). However, in men, heat production (M) was 12% lower (p < or = 0.05) and tissue insulation was 17% higher (p < or = 0. 05) during the NIC treatment compared with the PL treatment, while these responses in women were unaffected. In both men and women, finger skin vascular conductance (SVCfin), expressed as a percentage of the BASE value, was higher during the NIC treatment compared with the PL treatment during the cold air trials (p < or = 0.05). Lastly, throughout the cold air trials, there was no difference in thermal sensation between the PL and NIC treatments (p > 0.05).

Discussion:

In conclusion, although NIC administration resulted in sex-specific alterations in M and tissue insulation during cold exposure, the response in Tre was unaffected.

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Body temperature rises by several degrees from smoking

Whychicks

04. 09.2014

164493

Dana
Shaimerdenova

Have you had a fever from smoking?

An increase in temperature is one of the ways the immune system fights against various diseases, since an increase in temperature speeds up metabolism and activates the body’s defenses, allowing you to quickly neutralize harmful microorganisms and prevent the development of the inflammatory process. But that doesn’t explain why smoking sometimes raises a fever for no apparent reason.

That is why it is worth paying attention to elevated temperature, which becomes one of the main indicators of malfunctions in the body, ranging from a common cold to serious illnesses. Experienced smokers often notice, at first glance, an unreasonable increase in temperature, for which, it would seem, there are no objective reasons. In fact, this is a normal natural reaction of the body to addiction.

Possible causes

High body temperature in smokers can be directly related to the negative effects of nicotine and other harmful substances contained in tobacco smoke on the body. First of all, we can talk about the following reasons:

• development of diseases of the respiratory system – bronchitis, tuberculosis, pleurisy, etc.;
• diseases of internal organs and body systems provoked by smoking;
• violation of the normal operation of the temperature center in the brain;
• spasm of blood vessels, accompanied by an increase in pressure and temperature;
• allergic reaction to an excessively large amount of accumulated nicotine in the body.

What happens in the body

During smoking, nicotine gradually accumulates in the human body (first of all, we are talking about the lungs, which directly come into contact with tobacco smoke). Excessive accumulation of this substance can cause an allergic reaction (similarly, the body reacts to other substances that make up tobacco smoke).

The entry of harmful blood compounds into the brain, which is the main consumer of oxygen, can cause disruption of its individual centers (including temperature). In addition, during smoking, blood vessels spasm, which automatically leads to an increase in blood pressure, which provokes an increase in body temperature by several degrees.

If a slight increase in body temperature persists for a long time, causing discomfort, then this may be one of the signs of a number of diseases of the respiratory system and other internal systems (bronchitis, tuberculosis, pleurisy, oncological diseases).

How to deal with it?

If the temperature from smoking rises frequently and for no apparent reason, then this is a reason to seriously worry about your health. In general, you need to pay attention to the following points:

• stop smoking as soon as possible;
• use medicines to reduce body temperature in case of a significant increase;
• normalize blood pressure with the help of special preparations;
• change your daily routine, devoting more time to walks and rest;
• reduce the amount of stress and negative emotions;

In addition, be sure to contact a general practitioner and a pulmonologist for an examination of the respiratory system and the general condition of the body. This will allow timely detection of any diseases and begin their treatment. Before making a diagnosis, it is not recommended, without the appointment of specialists, to take potent antipyretic drugs and postpone a visit to the doctor.

Then go through a smoking cessation plan.

It will make it much easier to quit.

Is there a relationship between an increase in body temperature and an electronic cigarette?

When switching from conventional cigarettes to electronic cigarettes, people may notice unusual symptoms. It is associated with both increased craving for classic tobacco products and addiction to a new way of delivering nicotine. To a person, it may seem that the intensity of the taste of e-liquids is not enough to get the same sensations as classic cigarettes. However, they may not experience a reduction in nicotine cravings after using an electronic device, as they are accustomed to stronger tobacco products. Therefore, people often use electronic cigarettes more often than regular ones. This can lead to nicotine poisoning. In this article, we will talk about the dangers of such a condition and the use of various methods of nicotine delivery, and also answer the question – can the temperature rise from an electronic cigarette.

Whether the harm of the electronic cigarette has been proven and whether the temperature rises from it.

Electronic cigarettes are often perceived by people as an alternative to cigarette smoking. At the same time, they are sure that they receive much less harm by inhaling vapor from electronic cigarettes than smoke from ordinary ones. In fact, although the harm from them is less than from traditional tobacco products, certain health risks remain. This is confirmed by a number of scientific studies. According to Doctor of Biology Olga Sukhovskaya, e-liquids contain a number of substances that can have a detrimental effect on the human body. They contain nicotine, which exacerbates the negative effects of carcinogens. During the start-up of the device, the propylene glycol and glycerin in the liquid form aldehyde and formaldehyde compounds. They are toxic substances. At the same time, vegetable glycerin can provoke the development of pneumonia.

It is noteworthy that there is a disease that is characteristic of people who use electronic cigarettes. They call her EVALI. Symptoms of the disease are similar to those observed with bilateral pneumonia.
Gastrointestinal upset is another sign of lung damage from e-cigarette vapor. It is expressed by pain in the stomach, diarrhea and vomiting. Ingredients found in some e-liquids can cause chemical burns to the respiratory tract. In this case, a person will begin to feel discomfort during inhalations and exhalations. And if the exposure to toxic substances was too severe, acute respiratory distress syndrome may occur. It is characterized in more than 80% of cases by shortness of breath and cough. About 50% of side effects from e-liquids are chest pains.
So, having heard the question as to whether the use of an electronic cigarette can cause an increase in body temperature, one can answer unequivocally. Yes maybe. The liquids used for them contain components that provoke chemical burns and inflammation in the lungs. In response to such exposure, body temperature may rise. Therefore, when using electronic cigarettes, it is recommended to choose original proven e-liquids.

Does e-cigarette use cause secondhand smoke?

Electronic cigarettes generate dense clouds of vapor that are inhaled not only by the user of the device, but also by people around him. Some of these people have never smoked and their body’s response to nicotine ingestion can be unpredictable. A person who is not accustomed to it develops dizziness, headache, nausea, and a feeling of weakness. Nicotine that enters the human body while using an electronic cigarette provokes an increase in pressure in the arteries and an increase in heart rate.
Scientists conducted experiments on mice to find out what the regular ingestion of glycerin can lead to. To do this, exposure to it in pairs for 13 weeks was carried out on experimental animals. It was found that this led to pathological changes in the tissues of the epiglottis of rats. In addition, it turned out that if the evaporation temperature of the liquid reaches more than 500 ° C, glycerol is transformed into acrolein. It is the most dangerous carcinogen leading to cell death (2).
Based on the above facts, it is safe to say that even with passive smoking, the use of electronic cigarettes can provoke headaches and fever.

Electronic cigarettes as a way to quit smoking.

First of all, let’s turn to statistics. In a survey of 3,587 people who use electronic means to deliver nicotine into the body, it turned out that about 70% of those surveyed switched to using them from conventional tobacco products (3). Based on the data of numerous studies, it can be said that switching to electronic cigarettes cannot be an effective way to quit smoking. In support of this argument, researchers cite data such as the return of people to traditional tobacco products within 6 experimental months, which is observed in 7 – 19% of cases. There was also a study that found out which e-liquids (with or without nicotine) are more likely to help a quitter. The following results were obtained (4):

• The use of liquids with nicotine is more likely to help you quit regular cigarettes in the long term.
• Nicotine liquids help to gradually reduce smoking by approximately 3 times.
• There is no evidence that the use of electronic cigarettes is more harmful than smoking conventional ones.
• Comparisons between the use of e-cigarettes and nicotine patches for smoking cessation did not reveal which of these products worked better.

An analysis of the situation suggests that electronic nicotine delivery systems under certain circumstances can help to give up classic cigarettes. However, since e-liquids are based on nicotine, they do not contribute to the fight against addiction to this substance. At the same time, the harm that is caused to human health is reduced only because the absence of the combustion process makes it possible to reduce the production of toxic substances.