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Smokeless Tobacco Users: Check For These Signs

HealthTips — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 17:16:23 +0000

The early signs of cancer of the mouth and tongue may be detected by self-examination. Dr. Elbert Glover, director of the Tobacco Research Center at West Virginia University, and the American Cancer Society recommend that the following self-check procedures be conducted every month:
• Check your face and neck for lumps on either side. Both sides of your face and neck should be the same shape.
• Look at your lips, cheeks, and gums. Look for sores, white or red patches, or changes in your gums by pulling down your lower lip. Check your inner cheeks, especially where you hold your tobacco. Gently squeeze your lip and cheeks to check for lumps or soreness.
• Put the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth. Place one finger on the floor of your mouth and press up under your chin with a finger from your other hand. Feel for bumps, soreness, or swelling. Check around the inside of your teeth from one side of your jaw to the other.
• Tilt your head back and open your mouth wide. Check for color changes or bumps or sores in the roof of your mouth.
• Stick out your tongue and look at the top. Gently grasp your tongue with a piece of cloth and pull it to each side. Look for color changes. Feel both sides of your tongue with your finger for bumps.
If you use smokeless tobacco and find anything that looks or feels unusual, see your dentist or physician as soon as possible.

Health Tips – If You Stopped Smoking Right Now…

admin — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 07:01:19 +0000

Health Tips – If You Stopped Smoking Right Now…

After 20 minutes: Your blood pressure drops to normal. The temperature of your hands and feet also returns to normal.

After 8 hours: The carbon monoxide level of your blood drops to normal. Your lungs begin to clear.

After 24 hours: Your chance of having a heart attack decreases.

After 2 days: Your sense of taste and smell improves. Your hair, breath and fingers are cleaner.

After 1 to 9 months: You cough less, your sinus congestion improves and your lungs are cleaner. Your circulation improves and you can breathe more easily.

After 1 year: Your excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.

After 5 years: Your risk of stroke and lung cancer is reduced.

After 10 years: Your risk of death from lung cancer is half that of a continuing smoker. The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, pancreas and kidney decreases.

Source: American Cancer Society

Health Tips – Why should you stop smoking?

admin — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 07:01:41 +0000

Health Tips – Why should you stop smoking?

Tobacco use is the most preventable cause of death in both Canada and the U.S.

The health risks of smoking are well known:

Four out of five lung cancer deaths are due to smoking

1/3 of all cancer deaths are cancer-related – smoking can cause cancer of the larynx, lip, mouth, pharynx, esophagus, bladder and pancreas and has been linked to breast and stomach cancer

Smoking is a major cause of heart disease and stroke and is a risk factor for other serious diseases, such as bronchitis, emphysema, ulcers, osteoporosis, cataracts and gum disease

Women who smoke are more likely to experience menstrual problems and early onset of menopause – there is also a possible link between smoking and cervical cancer

Women who smoke during pregnancy are at higher risk of pregnancy complications, such as miscarriage, stillbirth or delivering a low birth weight baby

Babies born to mothers who smoke have five times the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) than babies of non-smoking mothers

Second-hand smoke causes disease and death in healthy non-smokers – children exposed to second-hand smoke are more likely to suffer from asthma, breathing problems, lung damage and SIDS