Smoking is closely linked with several chronic conditions and should be avoided for the sake of your health. Here we take a look at some of the urological impacts of smoking.
Cigarette smoking is most commonly associated with lung cancer and cardiovascular disease, but did you know it is closely linked with many urological conditions as well?
The toxic chemicals in cigarettes harm almost every organ in the body, including the urinary system and reproductive organs. Today, smoking is one of the largest preventable causes of disease and death in the world.
While quitting smoking is very important for your overall health, it is vital for your urological well-being, particularly for preventing urological cancers. When the toxic chemicals from cigarette smoke are absorbed into the lungs and travel through to various parts of the body in the bloodstream, they cause irrevocable damage. Let’s take a look at some of the urological impacts of smoking.
Bladder Cancer
Smoking is a prevalent risk factor for bladder cancer, with studies showing that smokers triple the risk of developing bladder cancer compared to nonsmokers. When cigarette smoke is inhaled, around 60 different carcinogens are taken into the body, many of which have been observed in smokers’ urine. When a chronic smoker quits, the risk of bladder cancer drops dramatically and continues to fall for up to 25 years.
Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer develops when abnormal cells in the kidney start to mutate and grow uncontrollably and more rapidly than normal cells. Apart from some links with genetic factors, the most prevalent risks for developing kidney cancer are lifestyle-related, with smoking being a major one, particularly prolonged smoking. According to studies, tobacco smoking is classified as a risk for cancer in all renal upper tract areas: kidney, ureter, and renal pelvis.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is typically a prolonged growing disease and will not present any symptoms until it is at an advanced stage. And while the exact cause of prostate cancer is elusive, exposure to toxins found in cigarette smoke is a key factor. Studies have shown that smoking cigarettes can contribute to inflammation of the prostate, which increases the risk of developing cancer.
Erectile Dysfunction
Smoking is also closely linked with erectile dysfunction, which is sometimes referred to as impotence. Erectile function is a highly vascular process, and nicotine can negatively impact erectile health due to a disruption in the arterial blood flow to the penis, caused by smoking. This can have a problematic effect on the process responsible for the erection of the penis.
Infertility
Smoking has also been linked with infertility in both men and women. Of course, smoking has always been strongly discouraged during pregnancy, with countless studies showing the potential damage it can cause unborn children. It has also shown to harm women’s fertility and cause menstrual disorders and affect sperm motility (meaning movement or mobility) in men.
Incontinence
Smoking cigarettes can have a negative impact on bladder health. Therefore, it is strongly advised by medical practitioners that those suffering from urinary incontinence quit smoking as soon as possible, in order to reduce any chronic coughing, which puts pressure on the pelvic floor muscles and causes changes in the continence mechanism.
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Dr Arianayagam is an expert in urological cancer surgery and the treatment of urological conditions. He is one of the most experienced cancer surgeons in Sydney.
After training in NSW further training in Urologic Oncology, he was undertaken at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He completed a two-year fellowship accredited by the Society of Urologic Oncology.
If you have any further questions about urological and would like to book an appointment, please feel free to call.
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