How to Protect Your Children From Secondhand Smoke

In the United States alone, smoking has been named the single most preventable cause of premature death. Around four hundred thousand Americans die from smoking every year. And about three thousand non-smokers develop lung cancer and die because of secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke is a combination smokeSecond hand smoke emitted by a lit cigarette, pipe or cigar and smoke exhaled by the smoker’s lungs. The smoke dissipates within hours after the cigarette has been extinguished. Prolonged exposure to secondhand smoke can cause a variety of harmful effects to your health. It has been proven as a cause of lung cancer, other respiratory infections and ear infections in children. Secondhand smoke and its effectsChildren of different ages are the most frequent victims of passive smoking. In most cases, they are at home, sometimes even before they are born. It was during pregnancy and childhood as a baby’s organs begin to develop. Exposure to secondhand smoke during this period of growth may actually discourage good development of the lungs and brain, among other vital organs. A fetus in the womb of a woman smoking may have an increased risk of having birth defects such as cleft lip and palate, and low birth weight. some cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) have also been noted to have been attributed to maternal smoking. Studies have shown that infants who died of SIDS have higher concentrations nicontine in their lungs compared to children who have died from other causes. It was also reported that milk production decreases for mothers smoking. A recent study has linked passive smoking to the middle ear infection or otitis media. This is more common among children who have been continuously exposed to secondhand smoke during the first three years of life. The smoke inhaled second can cause irritation of the Eustachian tube that connects the back of the nose to the middle ear. This irritation can cause swelling and obstruction of the Eustachian tube, which causes an imbalance in the pressure equalization in the middle ear. This can cause fluid retention and infections of the middle ear can be very painful for a child. If diagnosed and treated early, it is quite treatable, but if treatment is delayed, it could even lead to a reduction in permanent hearing ability. Small children often develop childhood asthma, because they are exposed early to secondhand smoke, and it gets worse with continued exposure. Apart from asthma, children can also develop sinusitis, cystic fibrosis and chronic respiratory diseases with continuous inhalation of secondhand smoke. Children affected by secondhand smoke may also have difficulty adjusting to bronchitis and pneumonia. the best way to avoid giving your child PreventionThe all these complications is to quit smoking. It will not only benefit your body get rid of nicotine in your system, it will also help your children and future children live healthier lives as well. If you really have difficulty quitting, avoid doing so in an enclosed area, or any other place where there is a large concentration of people and never be near your children. Always take into consideration the fact that you are not only responsible for your life, but for others welfare and, in particular ones you like best.