Alcohol and smoking Flashcards
1
Q
Why do lifestyle factors such as alcohol and smoking increase the risk of non communicable diseases?
A
they change how the body works and increase the levels of toxins (poisons) in your blood
2
Q
alcohol and disease
A
ethanol in alcohol is poisonous to cells
when absorbed from the gut it passes first to the liver to be broken down
liver cells are more likely than other cells to be damaged, leading to liver disease
3
Q
damage caused by smoking
A
nicotine is addictive
carbon monoxide reduces the amount of oxygen the blood can carry
chemicals in tar are carcinogens that cause cancers
substances in cigarettes can cause blood vessels to narrow, increasing blood pressure
this can lead to cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack or strokes
