There is always this assumption that shisha tobacco is 100% safe. Well, this is not true.
If you are wondering how shisha tobacco can affect your health – then this is a must read article for you.
It outlines all possible health effects of shisha tobacco.
Let’s dive right in.
What is Shisha Tobacco?
Shisha tobacco which is also known as just shisha is made from a mix of tobacco leaves, molasses and different flavors that give it a good taste and smell.
It is heated indirectly with charcoal to produce smoke that is drained through water to undergo cooling before being smoked or inhaled. Shisha tobacco is available in many different flavors such as pineapple, mint and chocolate.
Health Effects of Smoking Shisha Tobacco
1. Heart Disease
Heart disease also known as cardiovascular disease is one of the most common causes of deaths worldwide. A high number of smokers are at a higher risk of being diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases.
Smoking damages the heart and blood vessels. Smoking will speed up clogging in your blood vessels and narrow them over time .this reduces blood flow to the heart increasing risks to get a heart attack.
Without oxygen and nutrients, the heart muscles begin to die. Other vessels such as arteries that supply blood to the other parts of the body can also be affected. This is called peripheral arterial disease that affects blood circulations where by it can lead to gangrene, blood clots or even amputation.
2. Lung Problems
The lungs have air sacs called alveoli where gaseous exchange takes place when you inhale and exhale. When you smoke damage to the alveoli gets worse overtime and as the lung tissues get damaged, they become fibrous making it difficult for you to inhale and exhale normally.
When the lungs cannot be fully expand that means that low amount of oxygen will be absorbed into the body.
This might cause to shortness of breath that might lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). When you develop COPD you will be dependent to an oxygen cylinder all the time since your lungs can not take in enough oxygen naturally.
3. Possibility of Cancer
The tar and nicotine from tobacco can damage your body cells i.e. DNA which controls the normal cell growth and function. When DNA is damaged, cells starts growing abnormally creating tumors.
Nicotine and tar which are poisonous substances found in tobacco compromises the immunity of your body that will make it hard for your body to fight these cancer cells.
Cancer cells will continue growing without being stopped. People who smoke have a greater risk for lung cancer.
4. Respiratory Infection
Infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis can be a risk to those that smoke shisha tobacco. Inflamation,fibrosis and disruption of the epithelium are some of the structural changes that can make it easier for respiratory infection to develop.
Smoke toxins from shisha tobacco create particles that get trapped in the respiratory tract that can enter the lungs causing other diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
5. May Affect Brain Development for Fetus
Babies born with mothers who smoke are at risk of developmental brain damage. Long term changes to the normal growth of the brain can persist into adolescence and this is as a result of smoking during pregnancy.
The reduction in total brain volume and other structures such as the cerebellar and the frontal lobe change. You will also observe neurobehavioral changes that begin in infancy and extend to adulthood.
6. Increased as Rate as Short Term Effect
Immediate exposure to smoking you will inhale toxins such as nicotine and carbon monoxide which stimulates your adrenaline hence increasing your heart rate. This can be short term however in the long run you will experience other conditions such as high blood pressure and even heart conditions.
7. High Blood Pressure
When you smoke shisha tobacco, you will experience tachycardia leading to high blood pressure.
Smoking cause’s inflammation to the blood vessels making your arteries narrower .this will force your heart to work more hard to pump blood to every part of your body. It will put you at risk of getting stroke or heart attack.
8. Possible Carbon Monoxide Intoxication
Shisha tobacco contains poisonous gas called carbon monoxide which is as an active ingredient which is colorless and odorless which can lead health hazards. It interferes with your hemoglobin because it decreases oxygen supply into vital organs in your body.
Lack of enough oxygen in your body will lead to health conditions such as cardiovascular diseases and impaired cognitive function.
9. Nicotine in Shisha Tobacco is Addictive
Nicotine in shisha tobacco is highly addictive since it makes you feel of pleasure but lasts just a little bit giving you more urge to want to smoke more leading to addiction .Shisha tobacco can be more addictive than other cigarettes.
10. Premature Skin Aging
Premature facial wrinkling and skin ageing is an independent factor for shisha tobacco smoking.
Toxins in tobacco catalyze the production of metalloproteinase which supports the breaking down of collagen in the skin causing sagging.
Smoking also reduces the amount of blood flow in the skin by narrowing blood vessels near the skin surface interfering with the transportation of oxygen and nutrients to the skin.
11. Increases Risk of Certain Infectious Diseases
Shisha tobacco compromises your immunity getting you exposed to infectious diseases resulting in increase in mortality rate.
Bacterial infections, viral infections and fungal infections are some of the infections you will be at risk due to smoking of shisha tobacco.COVID 19, influenza; pneumonia and tuberculosis are some of viral infections that you can acquire.
12. May Affect Mental and Neurological Health
Anxiety and tension is one are the most common mental effects due to smoking.
Many smokers tend to use smoking to control or manage their mood hence end up smoking three times more and tend to smoke heavily.
Smoke interrupts the normal development of the nervous system.it will also affect your cognitive functions and neurotransmission giving room to degeneration of the nerves promoting nervous diseases.
13. Possible Oral Health Issues
It is always important to look after your teeth and gums to prevent dental problems and diseases. Your teeth will stain from the substances in tobacco.
You will also get dental plagues and gum diseases which might eat up the bone surrounding your teeth leading to tooth loss.
FAQs
1. Is Shisha Smoking worse than Cigarette?
Yes. One session of shisha tobacco is equivalent to 100 cigarettes. Shisha tobacco has many toxins that can cause a lot of health hazards to your body.
2. Are there any Benefits of Shisha Smoking?
It is more popular therefore can gather people in social places promoting interaction.it also relaxes your mind, body and lower stress levels.
3. How long does Shisha Tobacco Stay in the Body?
Depending on the amount inhaled and the frequency of inhalation, shisha tobacco can stay in your body in weeks or even more.
4. What happens if you Smoke Shisha Every day?
Too much exposure to shisha tobacco is going to put your health at risk of getting lung cancer, heart diseases and respiratory problems.
5. Is Flavored Shisha Tobacco Harmful?
Flavored shisha tobacco doesn’t make it healthy .it is still harmful to your health.
6. What is the Effects of Shisha to a Woman?
Early menopause and infertility are some of the risks women face when smoking shisha tobacco.
7. What is the Effects of Shisha to a Man?
Reduced semen quality and other reproductive hormone system disorders such as sperm maturity process are also some of the effects a man can get.
8. Is Shisha a Drug?
Yes. Shisha tobacco has nicotine that tends to be addictive. Also other drug substances are or can be added to shisha tobacco.
Conclusion
Shisha smoking has a health hazards as compared to smoking cigarette. The ignorance of “smoking shisha through water makes it safer “makes it more hazardous especially for young people.
More resources:
Shisha Tobacco Health Risks & Precautions – Source: SHISHAPACK
Is Shisha Tobacco Bad for You – Source: JOCHAMP
