- The WHO states that every 10 seconds there is a death associated with the consumption of nicotine.
- Just 20 minutes after giving up the addiction, the first physical changes begin to be noticed.
- Some of the initial ones are the drop in heart rate and blood pressure, which return to normal values.
A challenge faced by millions of people in the world is quit smoking. Everything starts from the fact that it is one of the strongest addictions that exist. In fact, only a minority of those who try it manage to fulfill their purpose. But when they do, not only do they achieve a personal goal, but there is also a noticeable change in their lifestyle.
The most dangerous addiction in the world
First of all, the magnitude of the current problem must be considered. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that smoking causes four million deaths each year globally. In other words, every 10 seconds a person dies from diseases related to tobacco use.
For its part, this addiction has a direct relationship with the development of more than 100 diseases and conditions. As part of its impact, of every 100,000 deaths recorded globally, it is estimated that it is responsible for 110.7. The sum of all the victims costs the world 170.9 million years of life.
With this in mind, technology is quite a valuable tool that has been used to help people quit smoking. The most notorious case can be seen with the WHO and a Artificial Intelligence program that simulates being a health worker named Florence. Its goal is to interact realistically and immediately with users. Human in appearance, he is capable of answering the questions that are asked of him.
In the first instance, the virtual companion seeks to allow each person to vent about their addiction to tobacco. At the same time, she asks key questions such as how long the addiction has been and the number of cigarettes smoked per day.
Once with the answers, Florence offers personalized help regarding the best strategies to gradually reduce the tobacco use. With this, it would be like having an instant health professional who not only listens to problems but also provides company and solutions.
On the other hand, although it is difficult give up smoking, when it occurs, positive effects are observed in the short, medium and long term. That is why it is worth trying and never giving up.
Changes seen in the body
As the WHO report shows, only 20 minutes after smoking, the first physical changes begin to be noticed. The initial ones are the decrease in heart rate and blood pressure, which recover their normal values.
If the body is kept without tobacco for at least twelve more hours, the carbon monoxide levels in the blood decrease. While after two to 12 weeks, the circulation improves, as well as the functioning of our lungs.
Among the long-term health improvements of quitting smoking is, logically, the decrease in the chances of suffering from nicotine-associated diseases. Among them, the prevalence of lung cancer (which is reduced by half in ten years) and the risk of coronary heart disease, like a heart attack, which in 15 years is equal to that of a non-smoker. Within just one to four years, the ex-smoker has an overall risk of dying about half that of a smoker.