Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Information

The role that long-term, heavy smoking plays in developing lung cancer and heart disease are widely known. But it also plays a significant role in damaging dozens of other body systems and overall health.

For example, even apart from specific damage to the lungs or larynx or arteries, smoking reduces the desire to exercise in most people. By using a chemical to lower stress, that motive for exercise is reduced. By lowering oxygen concentration, constricting arteries and causing “smoker’s hack” the incentives for healthy exercise are lowered still further.

The net result is that smokers tend to be more sedentary. That reduces overall fitness. As a result, the body is less able to deal with the normal strains put on it. What would otherwise be minor health problems, become larger and harder for the immune system to deal with.

Long term, heavy smoking has more direct effects on the body, in every area. It increases the odds of acquiring a variety of other cancers, such as cancer of the esophagus, the stomach and the cervix. It causes a form of leukemia.

COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is one of the possible conditions among long term smokers. About one in four contract it and it’s estimated that 80-90% of COPD cases are among those who smoke. Emphysema, chronic bronchitis and asthma (types of COPD) are much more prevalent among smokers than non-smokers.

Smoking ups the odds of having an aortic abdominal aneurysm (a weakening of the lining of the blood vessel). That makes it much more likely to rupture, which is generally fatal if not corrected within minutes.

Postmenopausal women smokers have, on average, a lower overall bone density than those who have never smoked. That makes it more likely for them to suffer hip fractures from falls, a problem among many of the elderly. Such bone fractures are sometimes fatal, as a result of subsequent complications.

The most well known ill-health effects from long-term, heavy smoking remain, of course, lung cancer and heart disease.

‘Long term’ is vague, but the longer the habit, the higher the odds. Some UK studies, for example, show that those in their 30s and 40s are five times more likely to have a heart attack than non-smokers. Long-term, one-pack-a-day smokers have 2-4 times the chance of developing coronary heart disease than do non-smokers.

‘Heavy’ is equally vague, but one pack per day is the most often cited figure and it correlates well with the amount most smokers consume. It’s estimated that 87% of lung cancer cases in the U.S. are the result of smoking a pack per day for 20 years or more.

Stopping now provides immediate lowering of the risk. Within 3 months the circulation improves. After a year, the odds of acquiring heart disease are half that of a smoker. After 5-15 years, the odds are that of someone who has never smoked. Don’t think it’s too late. Start today on a program to quit smoking.

Lombard Medical Technologies PLC – Medical Equipment – Deals and Alliances Profile is an essential source for company data and information. The profile examines the company’s key business structure and operations, history and products, and provides summary analysis of its key revenue lines and strategy as well as highlighting the company’s major recent financial deals.

Lombard Medical Technologies (LMT) is a medical equipment company engaged in the discovery, manufacture and marketing of specialist cardiovascular device and polymer coatings for the cardiovascular markets. The company operates through two major divisions namely, the Cardiovascular Devices Division and the Polymer Coatings Division. Its cardiovascular division develops stent grafts for the treatment of abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms, endovascular stapling devices for the fixation of stent grafts, percutaneous heart valves, and develops drug delivery coatings.

And More inside the report…

Recent Developments

Oct 12, 2009: Lombard Medical Appoints John Barry Rush As New CEO
Aug 07, 2009: Lombard Medical Reports Revenues Of GBP1.25 Million In H1 2009
Apr 01, 2009: Lombard Medical Posts Loss Of GBP9.8 Million For 2008

Scope

- Provides key company information for business intelligence needs
- Gives information on the company’s major recent financial deals including mergers & acquisitions, asset transactions, PE/VC deals, equity offerings, debt offerings and partnerships.
- Data is supplemented with details on the company’s history, key executives, business description, locations and subsidiaries as well as a list of products and services and the latest available company statement.

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- A quick “one-stop-shop” to understand the company.
- Support sales activities by understanding your customers’ businesses.
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- Understanding the key deals which have shaped the company.” 0 0 0 Medical Devices 

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Contact: Kenneth

On November 14th, 2007, at 9 am PST (Noon EST) the vascular surgery team at Kaiser Permanente Fontana Hospital, consisting of Paul Aka, MD, FACS, Jeffrey Hsu, MD, Majid Tayyarah, MD and Trung Vo, MD, will perform an endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair through a percutaneous approach with the GORE EXCLUDER® AAA Endoprosthesis. The procedure will be moderated by Jeffery Hsu, MD, also of Kaiser Permanente Fontana Hospital.

New lease of life… My True Story by Peter Carroll

‘You are a typical candidate for operation,’ my GP smiled as if to reassure me there was some hope for the old timer yet.

The thing is I went to see him originally about a month before about what I thought was a straight forward back ache and could I have a prescription please. But one thing lead to another until I was eventually diagnosed having this huge prostrate problem, but fortunately it was benign so, rather than have an operation I opted for just the capsules.

But that wasn’t the end of it. My GP., having taken blood tests for my prostrate discovered something unusual and sent me for a further tests. ‘Peter, I have received your results and would like you to attend Torbay hospital for a CT scan,’ he said.

A week after my scan he called me back to the surgery: ‘I have to tell you, you have a very large abdominal aortic aneurism which requires urgent repair.’ He went on to explain that an aneurysm is the stretching of a weakened artery which balloons out rather like a worn motor car tyre – and in my case the aneurysm effected the aorta which was the main artery into the abdomen. If that ruptured my chances if survival would be unlikely so my GP pressed for an urgent consultation with the head vascular surgeon at Torbay hospital.

I was fortunate indeed that the back ache prompted me to do something which I hadn’t done for years, to see a Doctor because symptoms of this very dangerous condition were not generally apparent and many fatalities are incurred annually because of this. The medical profession is still unsure what prompts the condition to arise in the first place. There is also a one in four chance of mail descendents developing the condition in later life and should be advised to have a scan when they reach 50. Although it is hoped that in the near future all males in this age group will qualify for a free scan.

If an aneurysm is caught in the early stages an operation my not be required, the condition is regularly monitored and if acute swelling is apparent an operation can be carried out before the aneurysm becomes a problem.

At the age of 72 my operation was maybe considered to be a little risky although everybody I met at Derriford Hospital, some my age and some older had successful operations thanks to the expertise of the surgical and medical staff. I undertook all the necessary pre op tests to endure I was a good candidate for the major operation which fortunately I passes just above average, Fortunately I stopped smoking 3 years before so all was all set. Despite this my consultant wanted to ask for a second opinion, that of his mentor, the head vascular surgeon at Derriford Hospital., because of the closeness of my amorism to my kidneys.. That mean another CD 3D scan at Plymouth and it was decided I would be admitted into Derriford for the operation on the 27th June, 2005.

On the 6th July I was discharged – the operation had been good and the repair completely satisfactorily – a polyester tube placed inside the weakened artery after a neat cut down the centre of the artery to form a sac which , after placement of the tube, was sown double breasted over the graft to complete the operation.

This undoubtedly saved my life and gave me, and several others like me in the Erme ward, a new lease of life.

I shall never forget the sheer determination and utter devotion given of all the medical staff, their patience and always cheerful and pleasant stance, nothing being too much. This in itself played a very big part in a very rapid recovery from e very serious operation and one must give every praise to all the medical fraternity do, given the very special postoperative nursing and treatment required after such an operation.

Right down from the surgeon, the theatre staff, the trained and staff in training including, at Plymouth, some from the services not to forget the cleaners and meal staff.

A full year has now passed and the 4th of July 2006 marked Henry’s first birthday. Henry? – well you see I am now bionic and that is the name I have given to the tube inside.

Than you all those wonderful medics for my giving me a new lease of life so precious.

***********************

www.PreOp.com Patient Education Company At some point you’ll be moved to your room. While you’re in the hospital, doctors and nurses will regularly check on you – monitoring your progress following surgery. It’s important that you realize that your time in the hospital is an extension of the surgical procedure. While you’re in hospital, your medical team will continually to monitor your body’s immediate reaction to the procedure just performed. That means that your time in the hospital is not really for rest and recovery. And you should expect to have your movements restricted and even your sleep interrupted by nurses or other medical staff. The amount of time you spend in the hospital will depend on your age, your health and whether or not any complications arise. Be assured that once your doctor feels that your condition is properly stabilized, you’ll be allowed to leave. Be sure to follow your doctor’s advice and allow the full-recommended time before you return to your normal routine. All surgery carries some risk. Possible complications include a rupture of the aneurysm, … internal bleeding from the operation site, … low blood pressure leading to shock, … insufficient blood flow to the legs, kidney damage and in rare cases, stroke. In order to minimize the chances of complications and to prevent a return of the aneurysm disease, … your doctor will probably recommend that you make lifestyle changes. If you smoke, you will be told to quit. You will also be …

With the rising costs of health care and insurance, it only makes sense to try to keep your body in optimal health. Unfortunately, despite your best intentions, some very serious health issues can arise. Scarily, many of these can slowly damage your body or even kill you with little or no symptoms beforehand. Luckily, though, preventive health screenings can offer a quick overview of your risk of heart attack, stroke, abdominal aneurysms, or osteoporosis.

Why Get Screened?

Many cardiovascular diseases are symptomless until a catastrophic event such as a stroke or ruptured aneurysm takes place. Therefore, millions of people are unaware that they are at risk of death from these vascular disorders. A preventive screening can identify your risk for heart attack or stroke and can provide your physician with valuable information helpful to your treatment.

What Diseases Will Be Screened?

Most preventive health screenings will include identifying risk for stroke, heart disease, osteoporosis, peripheral arterial disease, arterial stiffening, and other life-threatening conditions.
How Are the Screenings Conducted?

Skilled technicians will use FDA-approved Color Doppler Ultrasound technology and advanced computer oscillometry, both of which are painless and non-invasive, to screen for these various diseases. Ultrasound scanning of the carotid arteries, located on each side of the neck, is the best predictor of heart attack and stroke risk. Through the ultrasound, the technician can monitor blood flow velocity and look for plaque buildup, both of which increase your risk for stroke.

You will also be screened for peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a condition where plaque blocks or slows blood flow and which, if left untreated, can cause gangrene and amputation. To determine the presence of PAD, the Ankle-Brachial test will be performed. Blood pressure cuffs will be placed on the ankles and arms. The difference in blood pressure between the two will provide a ratio that determines whether you have PAD, another commonly symptomless condition.

The screening will also include identifying osteoporosis, a major health threat for 44 million Americans. Left untreated, this condition, which causes the bones to become fragile, can result in a fracture. While breaks in the spine and wrist are not uncommon, fractures are most commonly seen in the hip, and can cause prolonged disability or even death. To determine your risk for decreased bone density, the technician will ultrasound your heel, whose bones most closely resemble the bone found in the hip.

The technician will also test for an aortic aneurysm, which occurs when the aortic wall weakens due to age, genetics, or high blood pressure. If this weak spot ruptures, which is extremely painful, up to 90 percent of patients will die shortly after arriving at the hospital. To screen for this life-threatening condition, ultrasound will be used to identify a bulging or weak spot in the aortic wall.

Stiffening of the arteries can also be detected using this screening technology. This stiffness causes the heart to work harder, and according to the American Vascular Association, can cause as much disability and death as heart disease. Developing as early as childhood, arterial stiffness is not usually diagnosed until it has progressed to a dangerous point.

It is easy to see how preventive screening can save you and your family the devastating effects of these conditions. All it takes is a little bit of your time, and because mobile screening companies routinely offer these tests at local gyms, churches, or community centers, it is also very convenient.

Few stressed and unstressed female cynomolgus monkeys were taken and learnt. These reports show more fat assemblage in the paunches of the stressed monkeys. CT scan of the monkeys was also interpreted to know about the visceral fats. Beer stomach appearing externally is the abdominal fat and it covers the organs inside.

The stressed monkeys have more fat content than the unstressed monkeys. This was proved from the CT scans of many monkeys having the identical body mass index and weight.

The extra amount of fat in the venter is the reason for blocked arteries and metabolic syndrome. This syndrome is a combination of all risk factors of the heart disease. In the arteries of those stressed animals, plaque clogging the arteries was learnt.

The stress hormone, cortisol was discovered in high levels in the low-status monkeys. These advanced levels of cortisol lead to fat accruement in the stomach. Furthermore, individual fat cells are enlarged.

Your fat cells are growing bigger and your fat tissue is getting bigger and neither the cells nor the tissues work as they should. Not only the people with excess fats, but also the monkeys with excess fats suffer from metabolic syndrome.

Studies on human prove that heart diseases are more common to males than females. However, heart diseases become more common to women, if they are under long-term stress which in turn results in collection of paunch fat.

When women get visceral fat and metabolic syndrome, then the womanly part of them completely is wholly gone. When women are at the risks of heart disease, the complications are more and they are about to expire faster. So venter fats seem to be more severe to women than men.

Do you know the risks of stomach fat?

Angina
Aortic Aneurysm
Atherosclerosis
Atrial Fibrillation
Cholesterol Imbalance
Depression Symptoms
Heart Attack
Heart Failure
High Blood Pressure
Metabolic Syndrome
Stroke

If you’re at a chance of getting these diseases, you need not worry since you have some modern techniques and treatments such as

Ablation
Angioplasty
Bypass Surgery
DHA
EPA
Folic Acid
Lutein
Magnesium
Pacemakers
Stents
Heart Transplantation

Since these are available, is it necessary for us to have them all?

To avoid the risks of heart diseases, it’s advisable for the obese person to have a heart sound diet. If you wish to reduce your fat assemblage, manage the heart disease’s symptoms and to prevent further complications you need to have a unique nutrition diet. A healthy diet reduces your blood pressure, blood sugar, LDL cholesterol and body fats and belly fats.

Serve more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes. These foods may be one of the most noticeable strategies in fighting heart disease and reducing belly fat.

The secrets for a healthy life are unstressed life, regular workouts and a nutritious diet.

Checkout the top 25 belly tummy fat exercises and find out how to reduce tummy fat easily and naturally in just 4 weeks from now

A Man’s Guide To Health

Men have a well-earned reputation for tuning up their car more frequently than their bodies. But regular check-ups and screenings at the appropriate age can help prevent equipment deterioration and malfunction. Though guidelines vary depending on the source, here’s when to get your jalopy into the doctor’s office.

Ages 18 to 39

Physical: Every three years.
Blood pressure: Annually.
Tuberculosis skin test: Every five years.
Blood tests and urinalysis: Every three years (testing for cholesterol, diabetes, kidney and thyroid dysfunction).
Electrocardiogram (ECG): At age 30.
Tetanus booster: Every 10 years.
Rectal exam: Annually.
Testicular, skin, oral and breast self-exams: Every month.
Skin health: Monthly mole self-exam beginning at age 20; then see a doctor every three years.
Oral health: One to two dental exams a year.
Hearing test: Beginning at age 18; then every 10 years.
Eye exam: When experiencing problems or visual changes.

Ages 40 to 49

Physical: Every two years.
Blood pressure: Every year.
Tuberculosis skin test: Every five years.
Blood tests and urinalysis: Every two years (cholesterol, diabetes, kidney and thyroid dysfunction).
Electrocardiogram (ECG): Every four years. Rectal exam: Annually.
Prostate exam: PSA blood test starting at age 45 if you’re African-American or a father or brother was diagnosed before age 65, according to the American Cancer Society. Men at even higher risk, due to multiple first-degree relatives affected at an early age, could begin testing at age 40.
Testicular self-exam: Every month.
Skin health: Monthly mole self-exam; see a doctor every year.
Oral health: Sec the dentist once or twice a year.
Hearing test: Every 10 years.
Eye exam: Every two to four years.

Ages 50 to 64

Physical: Annually.
Blood pressure: Annually.
Tuberculosis skin test: Annually.
Blood tests and urinalysis: Annually (cholesterol, diabetes, kidney and thyroid dysfunction).
Electrocardiogram (ECG): Every three years.
Rectal exam: Annually.
Tetanus booster: Every 10 years.
Prostate exam: Annually (PSA blood test and digital rectal examination, according to the American Cancer Society. The American Academy of Family Physicians disagrees).
Testicular, skin, oral and breast self-exams: Every month.
Skin health: Monthly mole self-exam; see a doctor every year.
Oral health: Sec the dentist once or twice a year.
Bone health: Screening at age 60.
Hearing test: Every three years.
Eye exam: Every two to four years.
Colon and rectal exams: Starting at age 50, the American Cancer Society (and AAFP) suggests following one of five schedules: Yearly faecal occult blood test (FOBT) or faecal immunochemical test (FIT); flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years; yearly FOBT or FIT, plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years; double-contrast barium enema every five years; colonoscopy every 10 years. All positive tests should be followed up with colonoscopy.

Age 65 and Older

Eye exam: Every one to two years.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm: One-time screening for men who have smoked.
Hearing: Every three years.

To learn what to look for when conducting self-examinations, check with your doctor.

OR-Live.com webcast February 28th at 6:00 PM CST The annual mortality rate from AAA rupture is 15000 patients; the 13th leading cause of death in US. On February 28, 2008, 6 pm CST, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, Dr. Mike Davis will perform Endovascular Aneurysm Repair to treat patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

By now, many health-savvy folks are starting to hear more about the concept of preventive screening, but they may not have a complete mental picture of how these events work. When people first learn about preventive screening, many have only the vaguest idea in their heads about what a screening event might be like to attend for themselves.

Many people may be unknowingly facing a symptomless but potentially life-threatening – and yet entirely preventable – disease or condition right now. Given the potentially enormous health-related and financial benefits that can be afforded to you due to the possibility of avoiding a serious health incident through early detection, it is important to educate yourself about what these screenings are all about, what they are like to attend and how they work.

Here are 5 tips about mobile preventive screenings:

1. Can detect the presence of certain diseases before they become life-threatening

Screenings are able to detect the presence of certain extremely serious health conditions and diseases, including heart disease, stroke, abdominal aortic aneurysm, peripheral artery disease and osteoporosis. Facing a risk for any one of these conditions can mean literally being on the road to medical and financial disaster. Many of these conditions can lead directly to death if the afflicted person has a serious attack or related medical emergency. A large percentage of the people who are lucky enough to live through a serious medical event such as a heart attack or stroke can potentially face years or a lifetime of crippling medical bills and in-home or hospice-based care. The burden on the victims’ families that these incidents can cause can be tremendous and potentially life-changing for all involved.

2. Involves non-invasive screening techniques

As beneficial as preventive screenings are, people can often be initially turned off by the mere idea of them due to their lack of understanding of what the procedures are like to experience. For many, the term (wrongly) implies the need to be confined for a period of time a tight space – such as what they imagine an MRI or CAT scan to entail. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth, however. Rather, they employ equipment and techniques such as ultrasound and other non-invasive technologies that are 100% painless and do not require putting oneself into a tight space.

3. Take place in convenient locales such as gyms and churches

Many screening events are of a mobile nature, meaning that the operation changes locations from event to event. The mobility of these events means that the operators are always on the move and headed to new, convenient venues. Types of venues can include any community-oriented location such as a church, gym, government building or even a local business.

4. Take about an hour

Given all of their benefits, people naturally expect screenings to require an hours-long time commitment. In reality, an entire event can take as few as 45-60 minutes. Recipients just show up, sign in, and undergo the simple testing procedures – then go on about their day with minimal interruption. Results are typically provided in 4 business days or less.

5. Results are presented in non-medical terminology

Another common objection that some would-be screening recipients raise is the fear that they will be unable to understand the results presented to them. Fortunately, reputable screening companies send results to recipients in an easy-to-read, non-medical format. Advanced providers even give recipients access to copies of the actual images generated during the screening events so that they can get a visual impression of the findings. Of course, these images can be viewed by the recipient. But, more importantly, they can be brought by the recipient to their personal physician for further examination or treatment (if the patient’s physician deems treatment necessary).

In short, preventive screening is a breakthrough medical service that brings affordable detection of serious diseases and conditions out into the communities. Recipients can undergo the painless set of quick procedures in about an hour at a community-based location near them. They soon after receive the results, which they can make sense of themselves and/or bring to their own doctor for further examination if needed. With price points that are one-tenth what hospitals offer for identical services, some emerging screening companies are now offering the public screening events in a way that makes them affordable for anyone to attend. The screenings can raise a red flag for recipients who are at high risk for life-threatening, costly and painful conditions that can be potentially avoided altogether if detected and acted upon soon enough.

Extensive research has identified many factors that increase the risk of coronary disease. Some of these risk factors are uncontrollable, such as family history or age, but you can eliminate many contributing factors by making changes in your lifestyle and diet. The more risk factors you have, the greater your chance is for developing coronary disease. Have you ever asked yourself, “Am I at risk for having a heart attack?” Below are some factors that may give you an answer.

Risk Factors That Can’t Be Changed

Age

More than 83 percent of people who die from heart attacks are 65 or older. Additionally, older women who have heart attacks are more likely to die from them in the first few weeks after the attack.

Heredity

Those with family histories of heart attacks are more likely to suffer from coronary disease. African Americans, Mexican Americans, American Indians, native Hawaiians and some Asian Americans have a higher risk of heart disease, due in part to higher rates of obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Gender

Overall, men suffer from heart attacks more often than women, and they tend to have heart attacks at an earlier age. The rate of heart attacks in women increases after menopause, but not to the level found in men.

Risk Factors You Can Control

Tobacco Use

Smokers develop coronary heart disease at two to four times the rate of nonsmokers. Cigarette smoking doubles the risk of sudden cardiac death in patients with coronary heart disease. Exposure to other people’s smoke can increase the risk even in nonsmokers.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure overworks your heart, causing it to thicken and become stiffer. When high blood pressure is combined with high blood cholesterol, obesity, smoking, or diabetes, the risk increases several times.

High Blood Cholesterol

High blood cholesterol levels also increase your risk of coronary heart disease. When combined with other factors, the risk increases. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and grains along with medication can be useful in lowering high blood cholesterol.

Physical Inactivity

A sedentary lifestyle increases the chance for developing coronary heart disease. Regular exercise helps the heart and can also help control obesity, blood cholesterol, and blood pressure.

Being Overweight

High levels of body fat, especially around the waist, lead to an increased risk of developing heart disease. The extra weight increases the heart’s workload. By losing as few as 10 pounds, you can lower your risk.

Diabetes Mellitus

About three quarters of people with diabetes die from coronary heart disease. Even when blood sugar levels are controlled, the risk is increased, and when the levels are not controlled, the risk is even greater.

Stress

The way you respond to stress may also be a contributing factor to developing heart disease. Stress may also affect other factors. For example, people suffering from stress may overeat, begin smoking or smoke more than usual, or drink alcohol to excess. Too much alcohol can produce irregular heartbeats and lead to obesity, as well.

Unfortunately, heart disease usually exhibits no symptoms; therefore, preventive screening is extremely important. Easy, non-invasive tests using color Doppler ultrasound and computer oscillometry can identify your risk of heart disease through determining if you have developed peripheral arterial disease, which causes you to be four to six times more likely to die from a heart attack. These tests can also provide information as to whether you have symptomless abdominal aortic aneurysms, which cause death in 90 percent of patients soon after arriving at the hospital.

What will lead you to finally make the decision to stop smoking? Will it be the financial cost (the Federal tax is now .01 per pack, not to mention your State tax)? Or will it be the stigma of your being a smoker (All smokers must stand 20 feet from this building!)? But your health and the health of those you love who breathe your secondhand smoke is the best reason for you to stop smoking. You want to live a long, healthy life, don’t you?

Everyone knows that lung cancer is the number one cancer among smokers, attributable for 87% of deaths from this hard-to-treat disease. If you’re a smoker who needs a new set of lungs, you’ll be way down on the transplant list.  Smoking is the cause of 30% of all cancer deaths and it kills both men and women. Since the ‘80s, cancers of the mouth, larynx, throat, esophagus and bladder have been commonly found in smokers. Since that time, doctors have discovered that acute myeloid leukemia can also be caused by smoking, as well as cancers of the kidney, cervix, kidney, stomach and pancreas.

Smoking can also cause non-cancerous diseases, such as pneumonia, abdominal aortic aneurysm (one of the vessels leading from your heart to the rest of your body can burst), chronic lung disease (including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which used to be called emphysema), chronic heart diseases and cardiovascular diseases. Smoking has also been linked to eye problems such as cataracts and macular degeneration, as well as the bone-thinning disease of osteoporosis. These diseases may not kill you, but they can diminish your quality of life.

If you’re thinking of getting pregnant, you should know that smoking can reduce the chances of pregnancy.  If you do conceive, then you’re risking a miscarriage. If you get as far as the third trimester, you’re risking a stillbirth or an early delivery resulting in a low-weight baby. Finally, smoking has also been associated with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Is the risk of these diseases enough of a reason for you to finally stop smoking? If so, you’ll not only have a lot more money in your pocket, you’ll be spending a lot less time 20’ feet from the nearest door. And chances are you’ll be spending a lot less time in the hospital or attached to some tube when you get older. And the silver lining is that you’ll get to live a lot longer life.

There are many reasons that lead people to finally make the decision to stop smoking. Besides the monetary cost (the new Federal tax that went into effect on April 1, 2009, amounts to .01!), or the social stigma of smoking, the best reason to convince you to stop smoking should be for your health and the health of those around you. If you would like to live a long, healthy life, that is.

It has long been known that smoking causes 30% of all deaths due to cancer, with lung cancer topping the list. Smoking is the cause of about 87% of all lung cancer deaths. It’s an equal opportunity cancer that kills both men and women, and is difficult to treat. Cancers of the larynx, mouth, throat, bladder and the esophagus have been directly related to smoking since the 1980s. Here in the 21st century, doctors are finding that the list of cancers that smoking causes has increased to include acute myeloid leukemia, cervix, kidney, pancreatic and stomach cancers.

There are other deadly but non-cancerous diseases that are caused by smoking. They include abdominal aortic aneurysm, pneumonia (which is especially deadly for elderly patients) chronic lung disease, chronic heart and cardiovascular diseases. Smoking is also associated with problems such as cataracts, macular degeneration (which can eventually lead to blindness, if the smoking doesn’t kill you first!), osteoporosis (which could lead to hip fracture) and periodontitis (gum disease). These diseases won’t kill you, but they can make your life miserable.

If you’re a woman, you’ll want to know that smoking can damage your reproductive health, reducing your chances of becoming pregnant. If you do become pregnant, you’ll have a higher risk of miscarriage, an early delivery, a low-weight baby, a stillbirth or infant death. Smoking is also linked to SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

This list is way too long to print on each pack of cigarettes! There is no downside to stopping smoking. But people have to be ready to stop before they can actually reach their goal. So, to prevent spending your later years lugging an oxygen tank behind you with tubes up your nose, consider stopping smoking now, before it’s too late. If you don’t want to do it for yourself, do it for your family, who won’t suffer through all of your secondhand smoke.