Wednesday 11 January 2012

Smokers and Dementia

For all you heavy smoker's out there, how does dementia sound to you?


A U.S study of 21,000 middle-aged smokers who go through 2 packs a day unveiled the risk of developing Alzheimer's is nearly doubled. 


Just smoking 40 a day increased the risk of vascular dementia by 172% and Alzheimer's by 157%.  Surely this is enough to sway smokers to quit?


The way current things are swinging; in 2050 the chances of a person developing Alzheimer's in their lifetime is roughly 1 in 85. You may be thinking 'ha, I won't be that 1 in 85', this is where things can turn terribly for the worse. The chance to develop Alzheimer's is 1 in 85, if you're a heavy smoker you may want to keep reading.

A 157% increase raises those chances to 1 in 50, and if you have a family history of dementia the chances are further increased. 


This is just one addition to the massive growing list of reasons why not to smoke. As well as risking dementia, lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema, bone loss, bronchitis, stroke, diabetes and so many more, you also have to pay for it! It's kinda like paying for your own death really.

Second chance


Now if you are still young you have a chance to redeem yourself, if you give up by middle age, your risk of developing any of the above diseases is significantly reduced. The risk of dementia is however also lowered if you smoke under half a pack a day. But this doesn't mean you should still be puffing half a pack of cigarettes, as you're still susceptible  to 11 different cancers and the many other different diseases.





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