Your frequent headaches may be due to smoking

Even though there are over 80 reasons why one should quit smoking, apart from the apparent danger it poses to your health and well being, tobacco smoking can predispose you to respiratory problems, while it could also harm those living around you. These are most likely to be your loved ones or acquaintances.

But if you still engage in this deadly habit, here is another reason to quit now: Smoking can cause headache. It seems mild, isn’t it? But have you ever had a nagging headache that would not go for hours? Imagine getting headaches anytime you indulge in this habit.

If that is still not enough reason to deter you, scientists now say that those who inhale the tobacco smoke around you are also prone to having headaches and migraines.

Family health physician, Dr. Tajudeen Awoniyi, explains that nicotine, the major ingredient in cigarette, has been known to trigger headaches.

“Smoking can lead to a headache – and not just in the person holding the cigarette. Second-hand smoke has nicotine, which causes blood vessels in your brain to narrow. The smoke also causes migraine. These are extremely painful, one-sided headaches that can also cause eye and nose symptoms.

“Constant migraine and the headaches caused by smoking increase pressure in the nerves of the eyes which can, overtime, lead to vision problems and other eye diseases because the blood flow may also be affected by the pressure on the vessels.

“This warning is not just that people should give up smoking. Everybody should avoid second-hand smoke. If you are in a bar or social gathering where people are smoking, once you start getting misty eyed or headaches, excuse yourself and leave.”

It may seem anti-social but in the long run, it is worth it. Physicians say that people who have never smoked but live with smokers have an increased risk of developing a range of tobacco-related diseases, which include asthma, respiratory illnesses, lung cancer and coronary heart disease.

If you have just had a baby, ensure that you do not live in the same house or environment with smokers. It may seem rash if the smoker is a spouse but it is a decision you must make.

According to the World Health Organisation, second hand smoking is the highest cause of sudden deaths in infants who have a parent that smokes; while pregnant women who inhale the second-hand smoke of their spouses will experience frequent miscarriages.

The global body states, “Passive smoking is a cause of sudden deaths. A child who lives in a household where there is a smoker has an increased risk of developing a range of respiratory illnesses and pneumonia.

“Smokers’ neighbours will be prone to getting cold and cough, while their lungs will have a reduced ability to function and grow because they are busy trying to process the smoke they inhale from the environment. A child that is exposed to second-hand smoke in the home is more likely to develop asthma.”

The WHO adds that direct smoking and second-hand smoking have increased the population of people living with heart diseases and warns that people must protect themselves against tobacco smoke inhalation at all costs.

The body says there is evidence that passive smoking makes the blood clot and causes the levels of antioxidant vitamins in the blood to reduce – conditions that affect the blood vessels of the heart.

Awoniyi adds, “You would notice that any time you inhale smoke, you get breathless, uncomfortable and you feel like you want to choke. You experience all that reaction because the blood is not getting the oxygen that it should. This affects blood circulation. Just 30 minutes of exposure to second-hand smoke can affect how your blood vessels regulate blood flow, to a degree similar to that which is seen in people who smoke.”

The physician says studies show that passive smokers have a 20-30 per cent higher chance of developing lung cancer, compared to those who do not inhale tobacco smoke.

There is nothing to gain but much to lose from going on with this habit. You can quit if you put your mind to it. You might have given up before, but tell yourself that you are really going to do it this time. However, to help you cope better with this decision, here are tested and trusted tips that can help you break the habit.

Make non-smoking friends

When you are at a party, stick with the non-smokers. When you look at the smokers, don’t envy them. Think of what they are doing as a bit strange – lighting a small white tube and breathing in smoke.

Keep reminding yourself why you gave up. Make a list of the reasons and read it when you need support. Ex-smoker Chris James says: “I used to take a picture of my baby daughter with me when I went out. If I was tempted, I’d look at that.”

Keep your mouth busy

Sipping cold water can help replace the act of sucking on a cigarette. New research shows that sipping cold water through a straw releases dopamine, a feel-good brain chemical that can help ease negative moods. Eating regular but small meals can help you get past the urge to smoke. Choose lean, healthy foods to avoid any weight gain.