Smoking
Medical practitioners define nicotine as 'the major addictive substance in tobacco products and the most addictive substance known to man. Passive smoking which is the inhalation of tobacco smoke where other people are smoking is also considered among the leading causes of smoke related deaths and disease in South Africa and the world abroad. The US Department of Human Service, also adds that the effect of cigarette smoking on America's health is tragic'.
Medical practitioners define nicotine as 'the major addictive substance in tobacco products and the most addictive substance known to man. Passive smoking which is the inhalation of tobacco smoke where other people are smoking is also considered among the leading causes of smoke related deaths and disease in South Africa and the world abroad. The US Department of Human Service, also adds that the effect of cigarette smoking on America's health is tragic'.
As has been indicated in the diagram below, specialists exert that
exposure to tobacco smoke and other lung irritants over a prolonged period of
time can lead to inflammation in the airways that deliver air into the lungs
(bronchial tubes). As a result, the airways produce more mucus than they would
normally. This increase in inflammation and extra mucus production reduces air
flow in the lungs and cause coughing. Mucus production and inflammation over
many years may lead to progressive and permanent lung damage.
A normal human has a set of lungs which are lined with millions of tiny
hair called cilia. The cilia functions as brooms that protect the air tubes by sweeping dust,
tar as well as other foreign materials gradually upward until they can be spit
out; however when a 'blast' of tobacco smoke hits the cilia, specialists claim
that the cilia slows down and soon they stop moving. This becomes hazardous as
the trapped impurities from the tobacco smoke begin to permeate the cells which
are lining the air tubes and as a result over a period of time some of the
cells become cancerous.
The nicotine and carbon monoxide smoke in tobacco smoke are culprits
that promote vascular disease. Nicotine constricts the small arteries (veins
that transport blood) thus depriving the heart, lungs, and other organs the
necessary oxygen that is needed by the red blood cells to transport the oxygen
to the various organs, this in turn causes shortness of breath as well as the
formation of atherosclerosis (the hardening of and narrowing of the arteries).
Since the issue of smoking is not a new one anymore, some of the already
known effects of smoking will be mentioned. Smoking is not only dangerous to
health but it is considered to be a major cause of absenteeism from work due to
sickness. Smoking is among many diseases that can be prevented by avoidance, it
causes premature death and cardio vascular diseases like strokes, oral cavity,
chronic bronchitis, and heart attacks among others.
Smoking draws calcium out of the skeleton and thus accelerates the bone
thinning process known as osteoporosis. All these diseases lead to the death of
either the one smoking or the passive smoker at one stage or another. As a
result children are robbed off their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and
many other family members. In the workplace it leads to lower productivity
rates by institutions due to frequent sickness.
Love your Heels
The
human brain is one of the most amazing computer ever created, it has the
ability to send messages in a rate that a man-made machine cannot process
information. In this our day, innovation is the name of the game, from
skyscrapers to aircrafts, elevators, iPads you name it, the world is rapidly
changing. It has to be bigger, better, flatter and more fashionable. Amongst
the inventions of man are “high heels.” The name is quite descriptive; it has
something to do with elevating our heels (back part of the foot below the
ankle).
In
most cases, fashion shapes most of our closets, if it isn’t in fashion; ‘I
ain’t wearing it!’ this is sometimes heard from even the youngest of children.
You know how it is; high heels make us look confident and refined, elevated,
classy, sassy and powerful. We can’t do without them, our legs look longer, and
our feet appear smaller, though they throw our pelvis forward, we wear them
anyway.
Heels
are not exactly a good alternative for our health. New innovations like the 6-inch Louboutins and ‘sky-high’ Prada pumps are doing great
harm to our bodies, from in-grown toe nails, bunions, callouses, blisters,
corns you name them! Most likely if we would be given a choice between nice
feet and high heels, most women would choose high heels. Podiatrist Dr B. Little,
states that heels put “the body in a very unnatural position.” 
According
to Chiropodist and CEO of Canadian Federation of Medicine, Stephen Hartman, “heels
that are 2 inches or higher propel the body forward, they also point the foot
downward leaving the knees, hips and joints to pick up the weight which
sometimes lead to arthritis.” At this point you’re probably wondering, what’s a
girl supposed to wear? Hartman continues to say that wearing a “two-inch heel
in moderation is okay for a special occasion or at most once a week.” Flat
shoes are comfortable and can be stylish and easier on our feet than high
heels, however; most indeed not all do not offer arch support and oft the feet
have to arduously labour in order to keep the shoes on.
So in sense ‘kitten’
heels (1.5) are best for the feet and body, we can still look great without compromise to our God-given health J be balanced, love your
heels (back part of the foot below the ankle), love your health.
Skinny Jeans
- Do you wear tight jeans often?
- Have you ever experienced a tingly or burning sensation on your thighs?
- Do your feet feel like they are floating and cannot be felt when wearing tight jeans for a long period of time?
If your answer has been positive to two or all the questions, you are definitely a victim of meralgia paresthetica, also known as
“tingling thigh syndrome.” Researchers say that this condition is prompted by
constant pressure from the tight item of clothing and as a result cuts off the
lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, thus causing numbness and a tingly sensation.
Neurologists claim that this cutaneous nerve, runs from the outside of
the pelvis and through the thigh and is a sensory nerve. Furthermore that
anything tight around the area could compress the nerve. As modern day fashion
demands, tight jeans like skinny jeans are paired with a snazzy pair stilettos.
A chiropractic physician Dr W. Madosky, says that high heels increase the
chances, since the shoes tilt the pelvis forward, thus increasing the pressure
on the nerve.
For this reason,
practitioners say that shoes should have low heels (kitten heels) and should not
require gripping the toes in order to maintain position on the foot. A strap or
tie which keeps the shoe on, and allows the toes ample room is
considered the most healthful shoe.
“The key” lies
in removing the pressure. Skinny jeans are
fashionable, however they pose a potential threat to the health of your leg
nerves. Most people suffer from varicose veins because of such and indeed
majority of women admit to suffering for the sake of fashion and most claim
they buy what they know hurts, but will make them look good.
When purchasing clothing make sure that it:
- is durable
- is free fitting
- does not leave marks on the skin due to tightness (e.g. tight bands, bras & other under clothing)
- does not need endurance, hence must be comfortable
- provides warmth and covers extremities (legs and arms)
Health
does not stop at just eating, our practices and what we choose to wear, directly affects our
health.
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