ENT A-Z
Truths About Chewing Tobacco That No One Tells You!
Tobacco chewing kills, just like smoking tobacco does. But for some reason, many people start chewing tobacco when they want to stop smoking!
A few days back, a patient came to me with a complaint of chronic foreign body sensation in the throat and a rough patch over the back of the tongue. I started asking questions from my medical detective questionnaire and got my first clue. He revealed he was smoking eight to ten cigarettes per day, with occasional alcohol intake.
Digging deeper, he revealed that he even tried a highly advertised brand of chewing tobacco at the suggestion of a friend. It was after this experiment that his tongue problem started!
“Hmm..” was all I could say.
Addiction history is always crucial. Because it helps to understand the complaint better. It also helps in making the treatment personalized. The results will depend on compliance and on leaving those addictions for good.
In India, tobacco causes cases of head and neck cancer and lung cancer. The gruesome pictures on the packs of cigarettes seem to have little effect on those addicted. So this post is for those of you who still care to stay healthy.
Table of contents
Which tobacco products cause addictions and tobacco-related cancers?
Short answer all of them.They are
- Gutka,
- zarda,
- khaini,
- cigarettes,
- bidi, hookah are all dangerous and have no upsides.
- Gul
They are also known as chew, snuff, spit tobacco, tobacco plug, chewing tobacco, etc.
Which components in smokeless tobacco or chewing tobacco products cause cancer?
Smokeless tobacco products have more than 30 carcinogens. They contain tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines, nitrite, nitrate, and heavy metals (nickel, cadmium, and chromium). But additives keep changing and can be more or less addictive depending on brand and region.
Are smokeless tobacco products dangerous?
Yes, since chewing tobacco and snuff both contain nicotine and other carcinogenic elements, they are dangerous, habit-forming, and maybe even more addictive than smoking. All the health risks of smoking in general plus the high risk of oral, pharyngeal, head -neck cancers, tooth decay, systemic effects are present. Nicotine addiction is real, and so are the dangers.
Addictions have a vital genetic component. It also has a significant environmental component. This means you must be aware that substance abuse will make you more susceptible to addictions if a parent is using. You can fight that by being aware and knowing the dangers. Peer pressure can lead to the other factor being responsible for addictions. That’s where you need to choose your company with care. People who use justify the use.
But since this is all something you already know, I will share some research data with you.
Important Facts about Tobacco-related cancers in India:
- One out of two youngsters who smoke and continues smoking throughout their life will end up with tobacco-related cancer.
- The risk is higher in males.
- Out of all cancer cases, almost 45% is tobacco-related in males and 20% in females.
- Among all Tobacco-related cancers, the mouth, esophagus, lung, hypopharynx are the leading sites for both males and females.
- In Northeastern India, both males and females have a higher risk of tobacco-related cancers. This has a direct correlation to tobacco abuse.
- Most chewing tobacco products have a greater risk of oral and oesophageal cancers.
- India contributes to one-third of all global cases of oral cancer. Tobacco use(both smoking and smokeless), betel-quid chewing, alcohol, poor oral hygiene, sustained viral infections(like HPV) all increase the risk of oral cancer. The chances are synergistic in some cases and not merely additive.
How to stop chewing tobacco?
You have the power to stop this. You can prevent tobacco-related cancers only by not using tobacco products. This is the best way and is primary prevention.
If you are using, you can stop now. Then you can blog about it. I am forever telling my patients to stop using tobacco. Through this blog, I am doing the same. Maybe it will make a difference, and someone will stop using it. But if you really want to see first-hand what happens to those who use and continue using, a trip to any of the Cancer hospital review clinics will give you an idea.
No number of medicines or surgery can undo the harm you do to yourself when you abuse tobacco.
If you are smart, you will save your health and your money. Your contribution to this world is essential. God gives you one life, and this is your chance to make a difference. Imagine the money you could save not using addictive substances and future health care savings?
Nicotine patches and other nicotine replacement therapies can help but should be started under medical supervision. In case you want deaddiction advice, consult a registered Psychiatrist for professional deaddiction help. Your life matters, you matter.
Bottomline: All tobacco products are dangerous.
I have already written about oral cancers give it a read.
References
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How is the Health of the Nation: The report is an eye-opener!
Why You Shouldn’t self medicate( #Podcast)
What is self-medication? When you self administers treatment for physical or mental conditions, that’s self-medication.
What happens when parents medicate their kids using OTC (over the counter) drugs or refill an old prescription without consulting?
- The child gets better-Best scenario.
- The child gets better, and the symptoms recur after a few days-commonest cases.
- Symptoms get worse- often enough to be a cause for concern.
- A constant worry for parents.
What are you supposed to do when it’s late, you or your child have an earache and you can’t visit a clinic?
For Ear nose throat -What you should(not) do is what I will talk about today. A few incidents to give the background behind this post.
Case 1 :The case of the mixed up prescription
One of my patients mommy today told me about how her two year-old girls’ ears were aching since five days and started discharging blood mixed with pus .The child was having a cold for a week now and the mommy started an antibiotic prescribed from another doctor’s (one year) old prescription .Mommy also used my one year old prescription to buy the ear drop.
None of the previous prescriptions were available.The antibiotic was named but not the ear drop.Surprisingly common behavior. Read about acute otitis media here .
(For the sake of privacy personal details are not mentioned. )
Case 2 Thinking all ear drop are created equal
I had prescribed an ear drop for ear wax, 6 months back.Some of the drop was left.
The parent applied the same ear drop six months later, for a sudden earache.Me speechless.Again no prescription.
In both these cases the child was in severe pain.
Case 3 Nasal Spray Addiction
Mommy had a stuffy nose. She was using OTC nose drops for many years.Child has a stuffy nose, mom starts giving the child the same adult nose drop. Mother has rebound aggravation and the child suffers too.
This condition is called Rhinitis medicamentosa. When nose problems get worse by self-medication and overuse of OTC nose drops.
It’s a rebound nasal stuffiness most often due to OTC vasoconstriction(blood vessels are contracted) nasal drops.Its also known as Nasal spray addiction.
One of the common nose drop which is used for self medication is xymetazoline or oxymetazoline drops like Otrivin,Xylomist,Diconal etc.
So are these nasal drops like Otrivin safe to use?
When you use products like these as an adult,for two or three days within prescribed limits , its safe enough.But overuse,abuse ,excessive dosage and using on kids are never safe.
What happens if you use Otrivin for more than seven days ?Any side effects?
The problem of nasal blockage and feeling stuffy increases and worsening of nasal mucosa swelling.You may have feelings of anxiety irritability ,dryness of nose ,dryness of the back of throat ,sudden racing of heart,palpitations, difficulty sleeping,sudden mood swings ,sudden tremors and more .
Is it safe to use Nasal sprays instead of nose drops?
It depends on the product used.If its a normal saline spray its unlikely to be a problem.But all medicated products need to be taken after consultation with your doctor .
What could be behind self-medication and parents medicating their kids without medical consultation?
The reasons are multiple and multifactorial. As parents, you and I want to help our kids the best we can. With online healthcare access, many such problems at odd hours may be helped.
The problem of random self medication is worrying but when it’s your kid you need to be triple-y sure .
Few things to remember about self-medication problems
Never use ear drops,nose drops, eye drops ,ointments after expiry date.
Always use them within one month of opening to avoid problems .
Never self Medicate when it’s your sense organs, the harm could be permanent.
Never self Medicate when it’s your kid.
Never reuse your old prescription or that of your family members. Any pain which keeps you awake is serious .
Even OTC drugs, nutritional supplements can cause trouble. Side effects, complications, and drug reactions all occur when taken alone or in combination with prescription drugs.
Any condition persisting beyond two days in kids need check up.
Anything which doesn’t get better within 2 weeks will need a workup.
If you have a pre existing condition, always know when you should follow up.
Get Teleconsultation done if unable to visit in person.
Diabetes makes all infections worse,so take good care of your blood sugar.
Today for content that gives Expert advice I decided to tell you some of the things I always tell my patients. Don’t self medicate unless you can self manage the complications. It can cause unintentional, permanent harm. Choose your health care with CARE because “this” is the only body you have. Some ENT topics which will help you.
Childhood Obesity and Adult life (Nutrition Secrets Book 5) is free till Saturday. Share it today.)
Featured post
How is the Health of the Nation: The report is an eye-opener!
