World No Tobacco day is observed on 31st May every year. Tobacco usage has been considered controversial for long although scientific evidence regarding its health hazards. We get to see many advertisements regarding not consume tobacco in an any form. Though our Government has also taken various measures to curb this growing problem but despite we have 114 tobacco related deaths every hour in India reported by WHO.
Tobacco use has not been considered as a good habit by many societies, right from its introduction in 16th century. Consumption of tobacco is mainly in the form of bidi, followed by cigarette, hukah, chilum, etc. The habit of smokeless tobacco (also referred as tobacco chewing) is also very common. Some common forms of smokeless tobacco include khaini, Mainpuri tobacco, mawa, mishri etc.
Many of us are aware about the diseases that caused by consumption of tobacco which is mainly cancer of oral cavity, larynx, oesophagus, urinary bladder, kidney, stomach, pancreas, cervix. But several research studies have also identified smoking or consuming tobacco in any form adds multiple risk factors of infertility especially in men; risk of osteoporosis, bone fractures and early age wrinkles also.
Tobacco usage in any form like cigarette smoking, hookah, consuming bidi etc can harm you in many ways.
There is direct link between Tobacco and Fertility:
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| The Statesman |
Male fertility is affected by a variety of lifestyle habits that include tobacco use. A large population of Indian men is addicted to tobacco chewing. Tobacco chewing is strongly associated with a decrease in sperm quality and to a lesser extent with oligoasthenozoospermia or azoospermia.
The relationship between tobacco use and male fertility has always been controversial but yes indeed; tobacco use is a potential detrimental factor for decrease in sperm count in men. Smoking can decrease sperm count in men, making the sperm more sluggish, and it can increase the number of abnormal sperm. With men, the effects on fertility are increased with the number of cigarettes. Men who smoke heavily or drink too much may have lower sperm mortality and a higher proportion of abnormal sperm.
There have been many studies of tobacco usage
and fertility. Male smokers have decreased sperm parameters and decreased fertility. Female smokers also have decreased rates of fertility and decreased fallopian tube function. Smoking can lead to all kinds of serious problems with the baby.
Hookah trend has been emerged in India these days on to which young generation is severely involved irrespective of knowing its ill effects on their fertility. Men addicted to tobacco chewing also have the least access to infertility medical services where on the other hand in taking of tobacco during pregnancy accounts for an estimated 20 to 30 percent of low-birth weight babies. A pregnant woman who smokes also adds a risk to pregnancy.
Adopt these life management strategies to get rid of this life threatening disease:
- Start by quitting
- Eat a well-balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
- Avoid excessive use of alcohol
- Exercise Regularly
- Be Nature friendly
- Be Your Own Bodyguard
- Manage your stress which usually affects your bone health, fertility and skin ageing
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