The smoking ban in public places in England starts on the 1st July and is part of a government initiative to reduce smoking related diseases. These include respiratory, vascular and malignant conditions.

As optometrists, will we see any clinical effect from the ban?

Smoking has clearly been linked to cataracts. Studies have shown that smokers have up to a three-fold increase of developing nuclear sclerosis. Although potentially devastating to patients in developing countries where medical treatment is not so readily available, due to the advances in cataract surgery, many people in the western world with nuclear sclerosis undergo surgery and any degradation to the vision is eliminated.

Macular degeneration, affecting 700,000 people in the UK in 2004, has many fewer treatment options and so prevention of the condition is more important. Its prevalence is expected to increase by 31% by the year 2020. Studies have linked smoking to advanced macular degeneration, classified as choroidal neovascularization (formation of blood vessels in the sub retinal space) and geographic atrophy (extensive loss of the retinal pigment epithelium and choriocapillaris). Drusen are signs of early macular degeneration but there is no certainty that the presence of drusen leads to the formation of the more advanced stages of macular degeneration.

Three theories can describe the aetiology of macular degeneration:

1. Vascular theory

2. Oxidative Stress theory

3. Degradation of Bruch’s Membrane

Smoking is believed to cause macular degeneration by the oxidative stress theory, where normal metabolic processes in the retina produce free radicals by oxidation. These can be molecules such as superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radicals and single oxygen radicals.

Lipid peroxidation can be initiated by these free radicals leading to intercellular damage of proteins carbohydrates and DNA. The retina is especially susceptible due to an abundance of fatty acids in the macular region, the retina being subjected to high levels of light exposure causing the formation, phagocytosis produces free radicals (during the renewal of the photoreceptors at the level of Bruch’s membrane) and also due to the high metabolic activity found in the retina.

Recent research agrees that smoking increases the risk of advanced macular degeneration, however no evidence liking smoking to an increase in early AMD drusen) was seen. The EUREYE study shows a five-fold increase in geographic atrophy and 2.5-fold increase in neovascular AMD in current smokers compared to non-smokers however other studies show these figures to be slightly lower, but the association still significant. Giving up smoking shows a reduction in the risk factor, with patients who have given up smoking for at least twenty years having nearly the same probability as non-smokers to developing AMD. If cessation has been for less than twenty years then they are approximately twice as likely to develop advanced AMD.

As clinicians I believe we should give nutritional advice to patients on keeping their eyes as healthy as possible. The smoking ban will hopefully help to encourage people to stop smoking. However, we should not expect to see any immediate changes but hopefully the incidence of advanced AMD in future generations will be reduced.

References

1. Eyecare Steering Group (2004). First Report of the National Eyecare Services.

2. Khan J et al (2006). Smoking and age related macular degeneration: the number of pack years of cigarette smoking is a major determinant of risk for both geographic atrophy and choroidal neovascularisation. Br. J. Ophthalmology 2006;90;75-80

3. Chakrawarthy et al ( 2007). Cigarette Smoking and Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the EUREYE Study.
Ophthalmology 2007;114:1157-1163

4.www.atlasophthalmology.com

5. Bartlett H (2003). Age Related Macular Degeneration and Nutritional
Supplementation: A Review of Randomised Controlled Trials.
Ophthalmic And Physiological Optics. 23: 383-399.

6.Winkler B (1999). Oxidative Damage and Age Related Macular Degeneration.
Molecular Vision 5:32

7. Eperjesi F (2004). Reactive Oxygen Species: Can Ocular Nutritional Supplements
Help? Optometry Today. January 16th 32-33

8. National Library for Health - Eyes and Vision.

ukoptometry.co.uk/ ukoptometry.co.uk/

Tags: smoker, smoking

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Tags: smoker, smoking

We are all aware of how smoking can affect our daily lives especially our health. But it seems to bother smokers very little. Many smokers are well educated these days about how smoking could affect their health but they do not tend to worry about it because what they are after is the benefit of smoking. I find that selfish – especially as it can adversely affect mine and my family’s health.

So why do people smoke? More and more people are aware of the health concerns – including the effects of passive smoking. Yet, people still do it in large numbers.

I guess teens tend to smoke to appear more mature - they see older people who smoke. I never really understand this. Peer pressure can be a cause also because one tends to smoke to be accepted and be with friends who smoke. Other than that, they are in the stage of experimentation.

For adults, one reason why people smoke is to help them relieve stress and pressures. Pressures commonly come from work and this may be a reason why we see many people smoke in smoking areas of any establishment. Financial reasons and poor marriages or relationships can be a reason too for adults smoking. Yet, isn’t that just a sign of weakness? Smoking will not help any of these situations – in fact it could make it worse.

It takes guts before one can successfully give up the smoker’s life. Even though many people say that there are benefits, it is still unhealthy and often fatal.

Eric Hartwell oversees “The World’s Best Homepage” intended to be a user-generated resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed. Visit us to read, comment upon or share opinions on theworldsbesthomepage.com/blog/category/health/ health and visit our associated site free-content-resource.com articles for free.

Tags: smoker, smoking

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Tags: smoker, smoking

Smoking bans are becoming more and more frequent and there are many bans that smokers encounter.

For example, smoking bans are in place on planes, in the workplace, in pubs, restaurants and there are many other instances where smokers are prevented from lighting up

So how do smokers satisfy their nicotine cravings when they cant or do not wish to smoke?

Here we are going to look at the alternatives and see which is best.

Nicotine replacement therapy NRT is a phrase more and more smokers are familiar with now, as smoking bans become more frequent and Nicotine cravings kick in.

There are many alternatives that can be used when a smoking ban is in place, or at times when you simply choose not to smoke.

Lets look at them.

1. Nicotine Patches:

Are attached to the body and give a steady stream of nicotine into the wearer and look like over sized plasters and are very popular.

2. Nicotine Gum

As it sounds, is simply a chewing gum with a dose of nicotine and is the other most popular method to satisfy nicotine cravings.

3. Inhalers or puffers

These allow smokers to inhale a specific volume dose of nicotine whenever the cravings kick in.

4. Nicotine water

Exactly as it sounds, this is simply water with nicotine added to it. Smokers can sip the water and get nicotine this way and hydrate themselves at the same time. This is the newest method and the conveneince factor will see it rise in popularity.

So which is best for those smokers facing a smoking ban?

Well, a lot is down to personal preference.

Many smokers like inhalers due to its likeness to a cigarette and being able to puff on it.

Some like gum as they chew gum anyway and enjoy it and some patches as you can put them on and forget about them.

Nicotine water is the newest and it will be interesting to see how popular it becomes.

It does have one advantage in that most people know they need to drink water and most people like drinking it. This is not the same for people with gum for example, not all people enjoy it.

With nicotine water the water’s aim is to remove the molecules around the nicotine, leaving the nicotine colorless, tasteless, odorless and carcinogenic free.

This means there are no other chemicals or compounds unlike patches.

Nicotine is NOT a cause of disease

While Nicotine is responsible for the addictive nature of cigarette smoking, by itself it actually does not cause disease, it’s the other chemicals in cigarettes that do that.

In fact, Nicotine is a naturally occurring compound and is actually found in common foods and vegetables including potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers, cauliflower, eggplant, and chili peppers.

In its natural state, and when ingested through the digestive system, nicotine is safe and non-toxic.

Water has the benefit of delivering it with just water and no other chemicals and compounds and this will no doubt appeal to many people.

What is the best way to satisfy cravings?

In conclusion, there is no best way to beat a smoking ban with a nicotine replacement, its all down to personal preference.

As smoking bans become more frequent smokers will be forced more and more to try NRT and this may have the additional benefit of making them give up eventually.

This will be good for their health, the wider health of society and even most smokers would agree with that statement.

LIVE LIFE SMOKE FREE!

The first ever, organic nicotine replacement drink -

Tags: smoker, smoking

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Tags: smoker, smoking

Everybody including smokers know that smoking is extremely harmful for health. Even we were young, we were taught that smoking clogs up our lungs and blackens it. Yet perhaps the image of smoking is highly endorsed by movies in Hollywood making believe that smoking is a lifestyle.

For starters, there are various ways to consume tobacco. It can be chewed, inhaled from cigarettes and cigars. It doesn’t matter how it’s taken. All of it is harmful and the medical field and media have been paying attention to this issue for years.

When a puff of cigarette is inhaled into the body, nicotine along with other chemicals will enter the blood stream almost immediately. In fact, any single cigarette would contain more than 4000 chemicals an many of the chemicals are toxic.

Smoke from cigarettes contains 43 carcinogenic substances and even 400 other toxins which are also found in rat poison, wood varnish and nail polish remover. Imagine consuming these chemicals and the effect and damage it can do to your body.

Many cancer patients are as a result of smoking. Smoking is also the cause 90% of lung cancer. Smoking can also lead to other types of cancers such as urinary bladder, stomach, kidney, mouth, pancreas, larynx and esophagus.

Smoking can also cause other types of diseases besides cancer such as emphysema and bronchitis which can be fatal.

Generally, smokers have short life-span compared to non-smokers. Smoking can take away 15 years of your life due to the exposure of your body to highly toxic substances contained in cigarettes.

People who smoke are putting their love ones and friends at risk. Second hand smoke are actually known to be more hazardous than first hand smoke. This is harmful especially to children who are on a growing process of body development. Children who are exposed to second hand smoke have risks of having bronchitis, pneumonia, ear infections and also asthma.

Smoking is extremely dangerous to the unborn child. The risk of miscarriage is higher if a mother is smoking. Bleeding and nausea is also one of the many effects that a smoking mother suffers. Their babies may have sudden infant death syndrome, or may go through health complications when growing up.

So start quitting now and start a brand new life. Give life, joy and happiness to your love ones as they deserve it.

Tony James is an ex-smoker for 15 years and is currently helping smokers to quit smoking with ease without the discomfort of cravings or withdrawal symptoms.

For more free articles, contents and resources on how to quit smoking:

Click Here Now => easyquitsmokingsecrets.com easyquitsmokingsecrets.com

Tags: asthma, quit smoking, smoker, smoking

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Tags: asthma, quit smoking, smoker, smoking