We all understand how cigarettes affect smokers, ranging from early onset aging to a horde of breathing problems (even some forms of cancer will develop in the mouth and lungs), but have you ever considered how one particularly nasty byproduct of these sticks of death affect the little ones around you? Secondhand smoke, also called sidestream smoke, is a dangerous, noxious cloud of pollutants that smokers exhale. As people pass by these smokers, they will accidentally breathe in these nasty toxins, which can trigger health problems that can be even worse than the sicknesses faced by smokers. For today, let’s take a closer look at how this poisonous gas affects children.
In Utero
Obviously, the problem stemming from secondhand smoke don’t start after a child is born but, in fact, can take place before any boy or girl takes their first official breaths. Mothers who smoke during pregnancy will typically give birth to underweight children, which can ultimately lead to sudden infant death syndrome. Likewise, babies born to smoking mothers can develop learning problems and, in tragic scenarios, cerebral palsy.
Unhealthy Children
Here is a closer look at how secondhand smoke hurts children after birth:
- Infants exposed to secondhand smoke are being put at risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), about 3 to 4 times the risk than healthy infants born to non-smokers.
- At least 150,000 to 300,000 babies under 18 months of age can develop lower respiratory tract infections.
- According to the EPA, between 200,000 and a staggering 1,000,000 children who suffer from asthma will experience more severe conditions if they are exposed to secondhand smoke.
- Children of smokers frequently suffer from middle ear infections and underdeveloped lungs.
- Secondhand smoke might trigger a variety of childhood cancers, including leukemia.
Ultimately, medical professionals have also alerted parents to the dangers of third-hand smoke, the deadly collection of tobacco particles and gum that stick to surfaces.
Seeking Treatment for Cigarette Use
Remember that addiction can be triggered by one shot of alcohol or a single puff of a cigarette, but the true danger of this sickness is that you cannot fully determine how much you have to consume before your mind forms an attachment. Social smoking is just as dangerous as chronic smoking, on many levels, but you do not have to smoke to have a good time. Remember, drugs cannot determine if you have fun and do not have control over your life.
If you are suffering from a severe case of drug abuse or addiction, or have a friend or loved one who is coping with this illness, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our professional team of counselors and healthcare experts will help you endure the painful process of alcohol withdrawal and detox and guide you along the rocky road of rehabilitation. Soon enough, you will experience a faster and much more efficient recovery.
If you want to find out more about our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs or enroll in one of these programs today, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your leisure and your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how you can overcome your mental illness and take an extra step toward becoming a healthier person.
