Tobacco use has been considered controversial for long although scientific evidence regarding its health hazards.
At present, nearly 0.9 million tobacco-related deaths occur in India annually as compared to 5.5 million worldwide which is expected to increase to about 10 million during 2020s. The report also revealed that 8 to 10 lakh persons die of tobacco related diseases every year and this reflects a higher mortality than the combined deaths resulting from other major diseases, such as tuberculosis, HIV AIDS and malaria.
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. Let’s have a look how:
Unable to reproduce if you are a tobacco lover:
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| The Statesman |
Male fertility which means that you are unable to make your wife pregnant 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 studiesof 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. Also, chain smokers has the decreasesperm's ability to fertilise eggs.
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
Life Management strategies:
- 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 effects your bone health, fertility and skin ageing