Shisha Worse Than Cigarette

In recent days, a new tradition has emerged in the younger generation of both sexes around the world, the habit of smoking shisha. The glamorized version of Hubbbe Bubble or hookah.

Basically, it is the follow up of the old and traditional custom of what in India and Pakistan was called "Hookah." It is also prevalent in middle eastern cities, in modern or shanty cafes. It attracts the rich and the poor alike.

A contraption of a water pot connected to a pipe which had a funnel like storage for burning very special types of tobacco, which has a lot of other ingredients to give it special flavors. To this contraption we find connected a long pipe used for sucking the smoke created in the funnel. The fume passes through the water at the base, acting as a filter.

This was a social symbol for the rich and poor and was an important ingredient of the social circle.

Just like people enjoyed meeting friends, hubble bubble would be the common item which all shared.

Some women also used the shisha and would casually enjoy it after meals as they mistakenly thought it helped digestion and decreased flatulence.

Now times have changed and new versions of shisha are seen in many cities in the east and west. What bothers me is that it is now attracting the younger generation and what they are smoking is something which only they can define. It varies from hashish, to God knows what else. It is addictive and a serious health hazard. The recent article in DAWN from AFP bears as to what I have stated above. (refresh to view videos if not showing below)

Dawn

Making fun of blowing smoke rings and clouds increases the chance of inhalation of these toxic chemical into the lungs. Symptoms of reduced air passages will develop. Coughing, sputum, and much more. 

These youngster will not find it funny when they develop symptoms and learn the hazards of these practices. Like going through a cloud of particles from a burning fire, they clog the tiny spaces where oxygen normally flows to provide enrichment to the blood. 

Potentially, they could develop the symptoms of asphyxiation like cough, shortness of breath, hoarseness, headache, and acute mental status changes. When smokers who inhale fill their lungs a cycle of irritation begins, resulting in mucous secretion. You will see these people spitting up sputum. The lungs fight back with bronchospasm and reflex coughing in an attempt to clear the irritating particles. The color of sputum will not be while or clear, but it will turn dark in color. 

Next, they will have shallow breathing, shortness of breath as the lungs cannot fully expand. All this leads to decreased oxygen delivery to the blood, the decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, and decrease of oxygen to all the cells of the body.

In desperation, your body may have rapid breathing as it tries to bring oxygen into the body. The cells are slowly dying.

The voice may change in tone and quality, becoming hoarse, with noisy breathing. When this occurs, this signals fluids collecting in the airways. The body tries to clear and wash away the dirt. The vocal cords can also spasm and swell up, while the air passages constrict as if choking. 

Not only are the lungs affected. If all this activity takes place in a smoke filled room, the eyes can become discolored, red, itchy, and irritated. The delicate balance of the eyes can be burned. 

Without enough oxygen flow, a person may experience headaches, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms to this point show extreme toxicity to the body. Hopefully, a person would not continue an activity so harmful to life. All this can occur due to smoke inhalation. The chemicals may also affect the brain, causing fogginess, inability to concentrate and confusion. 

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