Health Blog

A healthy body and a sound mind

Time to Quit: Smoking Tied to Common Forms of Breast Cancer

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smoking-breast-cancer

Several studies in the past decade and a half have looked at the link between smoking and breast cancer risk. Findings of a recent study suggest young women may be increasing their risk for developing a common type of cancer by smoking. The findings of the study revealed that women between the ages of 20 and 44 increased their chances of developing breast cancer by 60 percent if they smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for a decade.

The type of cancer developed by patients in the study was called estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. The senior author associated with the study, Dr. Christopher Li, suggested to news agency Reuters that associating cigarette smoking with breast cancer was important.

However, this study isn’t the first of its kind to come to find a link between breast cancer and cigarette smoking. [Read more…]

3 Reasons Why an E-Cigarette May Be For You

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As the real cigarettes are now strictly regulated worldwide and more places are being designated as non-smoking areas, those who love to puff smoke are left with little choice. Many have turned to the electronic cigarettes to satisfy their craving.

ecigarette

E-cigarettes are devices powered by a battery and provides nicotine vapor in an aerosol. They come in different flavors such as mint, vanilla, cookies and cream, milkshake, fruit and chocolate. As of 2013, an estimated 2.5 million people in the U.S. are e-cigarette smokers. Sales for this device have also risen from $20 million in 2008 to $500 million in 2012. In the U.K., reports said some 700,000 Britons were using e-cigs in 2012.

Many users have found the device to be a good alternative to the genuine cigarettes. They agree that it’s not only affordable but it also makes them feel like they’re still using the usual tobacco cigarette and can help them in their goal of eventually kicking their habit. [Read more…]

Smoking and Sleeping

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smoking in bed
While we’re on the subject of sleep, let’s take a moment to look at things that may affect our sleeping patterns. For sure, one’s work schedule has something to do with it – tell me about it! I told you how 10 hours of sleep is what find optimal in the last post. Well, lately, some changes in my partner’s work schedule have thrown me off track. I have been getting 10 hours of sleep but it seems that I still am not getting enough – I just keep falling asleep throughout the day!

Anyhow, did you know that smoking an affect our sleeping patterns too? According to a study conducted at the Johns Hopkins University, it does!

Here’s another good reason to put away those cigarettes – a new study shows that smoking can lead to unhealthy sleep patterns, making you feel groggier the next day. Scientists have long speculated that smokers have poorer sleep quality than nonsmokers because of conditions associated with the habit, such as sleep apnea and lung disease. Now, research from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine led by Dr. Naresh M. Punjabi, shows that smoking might be the culprit for decreased sleep quality.

Aha! I know I have been smoking a lot lately as well. I know I shouldn’t but it is hard not to. I have a whole range of excuses for that. So maybe that is why I still feel groggy in the morning. Maybe that is why I cannot seem to be full of energy despite a long night’s sleep. What about you? Do you smoke? Do you experience this as well?