SMOKELESS TOBACCO'S TOTAL BODY EFFECT
Smokeless tobacco can have a medical impact not just in the mouth, but
on the whole body. This is Dr. Steven Andrew Davis, Speaking of Health.
The long-term use of smokeless tobacco increases the chances for cancer
in the oral cavity. Less publicized is the effect smokeless tobacco
can have on parts of the body other than the mouth. Physicians have
studied the absoprtion rates and blood levels of nicotine in human volunteers
using a variety of tobacco products. Both chewing tobacco and oral
snuff use result in more nicotine cigarettes. The significance of
this is that nicotine has well documented effects on the cardiovascular
system. Nicotine is capable of increasing both one's heart rate and
blood pressure. In people with high blood pressure or other forms
of heart disease absorption of nicotine can be considered "potentially
hazardous."
In addition to this between 30 and 50% of the nicotine derived from
smokeless tobacco products is swallowed and could become a contributing
factor "to the development of ulcers, digestive problems, and cancer of
the stomach." Unfortunately, even those people who want to may find
quitting smokeless tobacco difficult. Like those who smoke cigarettes
the nicotine habit can be hard to break, subjecting them in the short-run,
to withdrawal symptoms. For a copy of this script, access our web
site, speakigofhealth.com. Speaking of Health, I'm Dr. Steven Andrew
Davis for CBS News.
E-Mail
drdavis@davishealth.com
Dr. Steve Davis
7810 Louis Pasteur #200
San Antonio, Texas 78229
210/614-3355
