I'm sorry to hear about your uncle's health conditions as a result of smoking but I'm afraid your uncle is not alone. In the U.S. more than 70 million people use tobacco at least once a month.
And the National Institute for Drug Abuse estimates that over the past four decades, cigarette smoking has caused an estimated 12 million deaths, including 4.1 million deaths from cancer, 5.5 million deaths from cardiovascular diseases, 2.1 million deaths from respiratory diseases, and 94,000 infant deaths related to mothers smoking during pregnancy. It seems regardless of the complications, smokers find it extremely difficult to kick the habit.
And it sounds like you and I have something in common kwhelan1. After years of watching my father smoke and listening to his smoker's cough, I knew smoking wasn't for me. Despite trying to quit several times, he always needed that cigarette. A few years ago, my father suffered a heart attack, subsequent stroke and a second heart attack -- all in the course of five weeks. While in the hospital, the doctors said he had emphysema and 90 percent of his arteries were clogged. He was also heavily sedated to quell the serious withdrawals from tobacco while he was being treated. Unfortunately, he lost that hard fight.
And while it may not be ideal, at least you and I are able to take away some wisdom from our experiences with others, apply it to our own lives and pass along what we've learned. Thanks for sharing your best health advice.
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I'm sorry to hear about your uncle's health conditions as a result of smoking but I'm afraid your uncle is not alone. In the U.S. more than 70 million people use tobacco at least once a month.
And the National Institute for Drug Abuse estimates that over the past four decades, cigarette smoking has caused an estimated 12 million deaths, including 4.1 million deaths from cancer, 5.5 million deaths from cardiovascular diseases, 2.1 million deaths from respiratory diseases, and 94,000 infant deaths related to mothers smoking during pregnancy. It seems regardless of the complications, smokers find it extremely difficult to kick the habit.
And it sounds like you and I have something in common kwhelan1. After years of watching my father smoke and listening to his smoker's cough, I knew smoking wasn't for me. Despite trying to quit several times, he always needed that cigarette. A few years ago, my father suffered a heart attack, subsequent stroke and a second heart attack -- all in the course of five weeks. While in the hospital, the doctors said he had emphysema and 90 percent of his arteries were clogged. He was also heavily sedated to quell the serious withdrawals from tobacco while he was being treated. Unfortunately, he lost that hard fight.
And while it may not be ideal, at least you and I are able to take away some wisdom from our experiences with others, apply it to our own lives and pass along what we've learned. Thanks for sharing your best health advice.
May 26, 2008 - 7:19amThis Comment
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