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Passive Smoking and Its Harmful Effects

Passive Smoke

When someone smokes, those around him or her smoke too. Similarly, a pregnant woman, who is smoking, is actually subjecting her foetus to the harmful effects of smoking. It is not difficult to understand that smoke from cigarettes, which is so dreadful for the smoker, is also damaging to others. Passive smoking is a serious public health risk for both children and adults. It is also a major source of indoor air pollution. It was estimated that prolonged passive smoking increases the risk of lung cancer by approximately 20 to 25 percent. Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and passive smoking is known to be one of the main contributing factors in the development of childhood asthma. Female fertility can suffer because of passive smoking, making it harder to conceive a child.

Passive Smoking: A bane to health

Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 harmful chemicals, including at least, 40 cancer-causing agents. It also contains carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas, which hinders the carrying of oxygen by blood. A non-smoker has to deal with side stream, smoke from the burning tip of the cigarette and the mainstream smoke that has been inhaled and then exhaled into the environment by the smoker. The sidestream smoke has about double the concentration of nicotine and tar as compared to mainstream smoke and is supposed to be more dangerous than the latter. Nearly four-fifths of the smoke that collects in a room due to a smoker is of the more harmful type of side-stream. Annually, about 7,500 and 15,000 infants and young children up to 18 months of age need hospital admissions due to respiratory tract infections in the United States alone due to passive smoking. American Heart Association now believes that passive smoke causes as many as 40,000 cardiac-related deaths per year, 3,000 lung cancer deaths in America and increases the risk of heart disease in an individual by 25 percent.

Protect yourself

In recent years, the perils of passive smoking have become widely acknowledged. Hence, public smoking has been legally forbidden. But for effective implementation of such regulations, community attitude must be reformed. A polite suggestion to your family member or friend could be made about the dangers of smoking in front of others. A signage forbidding smoking in your home and car could ring warning bells to the ears of the offenders. A pregnant lady must consider the injurious effects of passive smoking on her foetus. If you are a smoker, you could also choose to smoke at the designated place and never smoke around children and other people. A smoker should limit his smoking at home to one room, which is not visited by children and if they are puffing outside, they must avoid their exhaled smoke to drift in the others direction. Lastly, a smoker must always realize that others do not have to bear the brunt of his or her ill-habit.

High-Risk pregnancy: Know what to expect

Pregnancy is a natural process, but it can sometimes involve complications that may affect the health of the mother, baby, or both. Here are some common complications of pregnancy:

1. Gestational Diabetes

  • High blood sugar levels during pregnancy.
  • Can increase the risk of a large baby, preterm birth, and future type 2 diabetes.

2. Preeclampsia

  • High blood pressure and protein in the urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
  • May cause complications like organ damage or preterm birth if untreated.

3. Preterm Labor

  • Labor that begins before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
  • Can result in complications for the baby, such as underdeveloped organs.

4. Placenta Previa

  • The placenta covers the cervix, which can lead to bleeding during pregnancy or delivery.
  • May require a cesarean delivery.

5. Placental Abruption

  • The placenta separates from the uterus before delivery.
  • Can deprive the baby of oxygen and nutrients and lead to heavy bleeding.

6. Hyperemesis Gravidarum

  • Severe nausea and vomiting that can lead to dehydration, weight loss, and nutrient deficiencies.
  • More intense than typical morning sickness.

7. Anemia

  • Low red blood cell count, often due to iron deficiency.
  • Can cause fatigue, weakness, and complications during delivery.

8. Infections

  • Infections like urinary tract infections (UTIs), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and others (e.g., rubella, toxoplasmosis) can harm the mother and baby.

9. Ectopic Pregnancy

  • The fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, typically in a fallopian tube.
  • Requires immediate medical attention as it can be life-threatening.

10. Miscarriage

  • Loss of pregnancy before 20 weeks.
  • Often caused by genetic abnormalities, infections, or hormonal imbalances.

11. Stillbirth

  • Loss of a baby after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
  • May result from infections, placenta problems, or umbilical cord issues.

12. Rh Incompatibility

  • Occurs when the mother’s Rh-negative blood type is incompatible with the baby’s Rh-positive blood type.
  • Can lead to complications like anemia in the baby without treatment.

13. Gestational Hypertension

  • High blood pressure during pregnancy without signs of preeclampsia.
  • May lead to complications if it progresses to preeclampsia.

14. Excessive Weight Gain or Loss

  • Can impact the baby’s growth and the mother’s health.
  • Healthy weight management is essential during pregnancy.

15. Depression or Anxiety

  • Mental health issues can arise during or after pregnancy (e.g., postpartum depression).
  • Requires psychological support or treatment.

What are some common complications of pregnancy?

Pregnancy is a natural process, but it can sometimes involve complications that may affect the health of the mother, baby, or both. Here are some common complications of pregnancy:

1. Gestational Diabetes

  • High blood sugar levels during pregnancy.
  • Can increase the risk of a large baby, preterm birth, and future type 2 diabetes.

2. Preeclampsia

  • High blood pressure and protein in the urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
  • May cause complications like organ damage or preterm birth if untreated.

3. Preterm Labor

  • Labor that begins before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
  • Can result in complications for the baby, such as underdeveloped organs.

4. Placenta Previa

  • The placenta covers the cervix, which can lead to bleeding during pregnancy or delivery.
  • May require a cesarean delivery.

5. Placental Abruption

  • The placenta separates from the uterus before delivery.
  • Can deprive the baby of oxygen and nutrients and lead to heavy bleeding.

6. Hyperemesis Gravidarum

  • Severe nausea and vomiting that can lead to dehydration, weight loss, and nutrient deficiencies.
  • More intense than typical morning sickness.

7. Anemia

  • Low red blood cell count, often due to iron deficiency.
  • Can cause fatigue, weakness, and complications during delivery.

8. Infections

  • Infections like urinary tract infections (UTIs), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and others (e.g., rubella, toxoplasmosis) can harm the mother and baby.

9. Ectopic Pregnancy

  • The fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, typically in a fallopian tube.
  • Requires immediate medical attention as it can be life-threatening.

10. Miscarriage

  • Loss of pregnancy before 20 weeks.
  • Often caused by genetic abnormalities, infections, or hormonal imbalances.

11. Stillbirth

  • Loss of a baby after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
  • May result from infections, placenta problems, or umbilical cord issues.

12. Rh Incompatibility

  • Occurs when the mother’s Rh-negative blood type is incompatible with the baby’s Rh-positive blood type.
  • Can lead to complications like anemia in the baby without treatment.

13. Gestational Hypertension

  • High blood pressure during pregnancy without signs of preeclampsia.
  • May lead to complications if it progresses to preeclampsia.

14. Excessive Weight Gain or Loss

  • Can impact the baby’s growth and the mother’s health.
  • Healthy weight management is essential during pregnancy.

15. Depression or Anxiety

  • Mental health issues can arise during or after pregnancy (e.g., postpartum depression).
  • Requires psychological support or treatment.

What is Preterm Labor and Birth?

Preterm labor and birth occur when a baby is born too early, specifically before 37 weeks of pregnancy. This can pose significant health risks to the baby, as the earlier a baby is born, the less developed their organs and systems are, which can lead to complications.


Preterm Labor

Preterm labor happens when a woman begins experiencing regular contractions that lead to cervical changes (thinning or dilation) before 37 weeks of pregnancy.

Signs of Preterm Labor:

  1. Regular or frequent contractions (more than 4-6 per hour).
  2. Low, dull backache.
  3. Pelvic pressure or a feeling that the baby is pressing down.
  4. Mild abdominal cramps, sometimes accompanied by diarrhea.
  5. A change in vaginal discharge (watery, mucus-like, or bloody).
  6. Vaginal bleeding or spotting.
  7. Sudden gush or slow trickle of fluid, indicating water breaking prematurely.
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