Beware of Congested Nose Causes and Its Impact on Other Body Organs

HPHC (harmful and potentially harmful constituents) is a hazardous chemical compound in cigarette smoke. Not only active smokers, HPHC is also dangerous for passive smokers or other people who inhale cigarette smoke.

There is no doubt about the dangers of smoking to health. Cigarettes contain at least 7,000 harmful chemicals, some of which can trigger cancer. These hazardous substances are known as harmful and potentially harmful constituents (harmful and potentially harmful constituents, HPHC).

Harmful Content or HPHC in Cigarettes

Previously, it was mentioned that cigarettes contain thousands of harmful substances that can trigger various health problems in the future. One of the most widely known ingredients in cigarettes is nicotine

Nicotine is known to have addictive or addictive effects. This effect makes it difficult for smokers to quit smoking and often experience nicotine withdrawal symptoms when suddenly stopping the habit

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA), nicotine is a reproductive or developmental toxicant (RDT) that can interfere with fetal development in pregnant women and children.

However, the US FDA also states that nicotine is not the main cause of various smoking-related diseases. In fact, various other HPHCs contained in cigarettes and their smoke are the cause of these diseases.

Related to this, the following are a number of HPHC contained in cigarette smoke with a fairly high level, namely:

Carbon monoxide

This compound can reduce oxygen levels in the body, so that heart function will decrease and lung performance will be disrupted. As a result, the body will feel weak and the head will feel dizzy

In the long term, carbon monoxide can cause a decrease in the function of various organs of the body and lead to coma or even death.

Benzene

This chemical is a residue or residue from burning cigarettes. When exposed to benzene in the long term, it can cause damage to the bone marrow and have an impact on decreasing the production of red blood cells in the body. If the number of red blood cells is reduced, the risk of developing anemia will increase. Benzene can also damage white blood cells, so the immune system can be weakened.

Acrolein

Acrolein (2-propenal) can be found in many types of cooked food. This compound is formed from carbohydrates and vegetable and animal fats during the food processing process by burning.

Cigarette burning produces acrolein concentrations that equal or exceed total acrolein exposure from all other sources. Long-term exposure to acrolein can trigger inflammation and cancer of the respiratory tract and increase the risk of heart disease.

1,3-butadiene

This chemical compound may be rarely heard or rarely known to exist in a cigarette.

In fact, 1,3-butadiene is a dangerous chemical compound, because it is teratogenic or can cause defects in humans. This compound is also a carcinogen that can trigger cancer In addition to nicotine and several types of HPHC above, there are also other harmful chemical compounds contained in cigarettes and their smoke, such as hydrogen cyanide, formaldehyde, lead, arsenic, ammonia, the radioactive element polonium-210, nitrosamines specifically for tobacco (TSNAs). ), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

HPHC in Various Tobacco Products

As previously explained, the various HPHCs above are contained in the smoke from cigarettes that are burned.

With the increasing use of alternative tobacco products, such as heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes or vaping, the question arises whether these alternative tobacco products also contain the same HPHC?

The answer is yes, but to a different degree. Alternative tobacco products produce HPHC at much lower levels than cigarettes because there is no combustion in the consumption process.

The following are some of the differences in the HPHC content of alternative tobacco products:

Conventional cigarettes

Of the 7000 chemicals contained in conventional cigarettes, 93 of them are classified by the FDA as HPHC which can trigger various smoking-related diseases.

E-cigarette or vape

Most e-cigarettes still contain nicotine, both extracted and synthetic. In addition to nicotine, the e-cigarette liquid also contains glycerin, propylene glycol, and flavorings.

Different from cigarettes in general, e-cigarettes use an electric heat source that heats the vape liquid to produce an aerosol which is then inhaled by the user.

Heat tobacco products or heated tobacco products

Almost similar to vaping, heated tobacco products also use a heating system in their use. However, this product heats real tobacco, not nicotine liquid like vaping.

In use, the tobacco is heated to a maximum temperature of around 350°C using a special electric device to create an aerosol that is inhaled by the user.

This temperature is much lower than the combustion process in cigarettes, where the temperature can be more than 800°C. In the absence of this combustion, the aerosols produced by heated tobacco products contain significantly lower types and levels of HPHC.

Various Health Problems Due to Smoking

As a dangerous chemical compound, HPHC can cause various health problems if it enters the body or is exposed for a long period of time. The following are some diseases that can be caused by HPHC:

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD)

COPD or better known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a condition that smokers are prone to experience, both active and passive. In fact, about 85–90% of COPD cases are caused by long-term inhalation of HPHC in cigarette smoke.

When a person inhales cigarette smoke, HPHC can cause the respiratory tract wall tissue and lungs to become inflamed and swollen. Over time, this condition can make the airways and lungs unable to function properly.

Cardiovascular diseases, CVD

Smoking can also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, such as heart disease and stroke. This can happen because the HPHC content in cigarettes can cause thickening of the walls of the heart and blood clots in the arteries.

As a result, the heart's performance gets heavier and the supply of oxygen-rich blood throughout the body becomes blocked.

Lung cancer

Various HPHC content in cigarettes is a carcinogen, which can trigger the growth of cancer cells and one of them is lung cancer. This can happen because HPHC that enters the body when smoking can trigger cell damage that lines the lungs Over time, this damage can trigger the growth of abnormal cells around the lungs and cancer. Not only active smokers, passive smokers can also be at high risk of developing lung cancer if exposed in the long term.

Teeth and mouth disorders

One of the dental and oral problems that are often experienced by active smokers is discoloration of the teeth and bad breath. This condition is generally caused by HPHC contained in cigarettes

In the long term, various HPHC content in cigarettes can also cause plaque buildup and the formation of tartar.

If left untreated, HPHC can cause damage to the layers of bone and tooth tissue and make teeth and gums susceptible to infection or even oral cancer.

In addition to some of the diseases above, smoking can also increase the risk of developing eye diseases and problems with the immune system, including rheumatoid arthritis, as well as chronic diseases such as diabetes.

So, in order to avoid various health risks due to smoking, try to stop smoking from now on. Do not hesitate to consult a doctor if you find it difficult to quit smoking.

Doctors will use various methods to help you stop smoking in order to avoid the dangers of HPHC in cigarettes and their effects.

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