Smoking

Multiple sclerosis (MS) progression increases with continued smoking after diagnosis, according to research. Compared to multiple sclerosis patients who quit after diagnosis, those who continue smoking have worse outcomes and greater progression of the disease. Smoking is a known risk factor for multiple sclerosis. The researchers looked at 728 smokers: 332 were considered continued smokers ...click here to read more

Pneumonia risk varies with vitamin D and E levels, smoking, and exercise. The findings come from researchers at the University of Finland who uncovered that low vitamin D serum levels are a risk factor for pneumonia. The researchers found that the risk of contracting pneumonia was 2.5 times greater in individuals with low vitamin D ...click here to read more

Rheumatoid arthritis patients who smoke are at a higher risk of early death, but the new study also suggests quitting smoking works to reduce the risk. Researcher Deborah Symmons said, “This research provides important evidence that the risk of early death starts to decline in patients who stop smoking, and continues year on year.” The ...click here to read more

A new study suggests going “cold turkey” is the best method when it comes to quitting smoking, as opposed to gradual quitting methods. Going cold turkey refers to stopping all at once. The researchers found that after four weeks, nearly half of those who went cold turkey still continued abstaining from smoking. For those who ...click here to read more

Dementia in seniors raises mortality risk from diabetes, heart disease, and smoking. Dementia is the progressive loss of cognitive function and memory, rapidly becoming a leading cause of death in the U.S. Heart disease and diabetes both affect blood vessels and circulation, and – along with dementia – share many common risk factors. A research ...click here to read more

Aside from raising the risk of lung cancer and many other forms of cancer, smoking has now been found to be linked with neck problems, too, stressing the importance of quitting – or never starting in the first place. Researchers have found that smoking damages the cervical discs in the neck. The affected discs are ...click here to read more

Bacterial pneumonia risk in HIV patients is seen to be reduced by quitting smoking. Bacterial pneumonia is a common condition, which affects HIV patients, and among those who smoke, the risk of developing bacterial pneumonia is doubled. The research conducted a meta-analysis of data on several thousand HIV patients taken from 14 different studies in ...click here to read more

The autoimmune eye disease known as uveitis attacks proteins in the eye, and now research suggests the underlying problem may be linked to gut bacteria and smoking. For some time now eye specialists have understood that attacking proteins in the eye can cause the symptoms of uveitis, which include eye pain, eye redness and irritation, ...click here to read more

New research suggests smokers diagnosed with pneumonia should also be screened for lung cancer as a means to reduce mortality. The findings suggest that heavy smokers diagnosed with pneumonia are at a greater risk of lung cancer – a cancer with only a 27 percent survival rate. Screening should be done by chest-computer tomography. Lead ...click here to read more

Smoking bans have shown to be more effective in getting people to quit smoking than increasing taxes on cigarettes. Although higher taxes have been shown to improve rates of smoking cessation, smoking bans have proven slightly better. It’s important to note that smoking bans were more effective among those who were casual smokers as opposed ...click here to read more

Chronic pancreatitis (pancreas inflammation) is likely associated with smoking, alcohol and gene mutation. Chronic pancreatitis is a long-term progressive inflammatory disease of the pancreas, which can lead to permanent damage and malfunction of the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ located in the abdomen and is responsible for producing enzymes and hormones to help digest ...click here to read more

In the U.S. there has been a noticeable decline in smoking rates, with the exception of three population groups: American Indians, those part of the LGBT community, and those with mental health issues. Amy Lukowski, Psy.D., director of Health Initiatives at National Jewish Health in Denver and QuitLogix® (smoking cessation program), said, “We’re making great ...click here to read more

Numerous studies have shown a link between smoking and alcohol consumption, and new research has come to light that further explains the association. Previously, it was discovered that 85 percent of drinkers were also nicotine-dependent. The latest findings, which come from the University of Missouri School of Medicine, reveal that the association comes from the effects of ...click here to read more

Researchers aimed to uncover an answer for the pressing question, Why do those who are overweight or obese outlive their normal weight counterparts? Furthermore, would this obesity paradox work in all circumstances? The researchers found obesity does not offer protection against all condition, especially cardiovascular disease. Samuel Preston, Ph.D., from the University of Pennsylvania said, ...click here to read more