Before discussing the dangers is hookah worse than cigarettes or not, let’s first know what shisha is and how it works. Hookah, qalyan, or shisha is a popular smoking tool in the Middle East. Shisha uses heat from charcoal placed on top of a heating bowl instead of a lighter.
The way it works is pretty easy. The heat from the charcoal will then spread through aluminum foil and iron to heat the flavored tobacco underneath. One shisha charcoal usually lasts up to an hour for 2 to 3 users.
Unlike ordinary cigarettes that use fire to make coals, shisha is heated by charcoal. The tobacco is also flavored, there are mint, strawberry, apple, licorice, and many more. But behind the delicious taste, it turns out there are various dangers of shisha cigarettes for the health of the body. Just want to know the danger is hookah worse than cigarettes or not, then see more info below.
Is Hookah Worse than Cigarettes? Some of the Dangers of Hookah for the Body
- Causes respiratory distress
The first danger of Hookah is the appearance of disorders of the respiratory system. Like regular cigarettes, shisha also produces tar and carbon monoxide. These substances not only cause the appearance of spots on the lungs, but also make the walls inflammatory.
The inflammation that occurs will cause narrowing in the airway. If inflammation is continuously left unchecked, this can affect the ability of the lungs to hold air. In addition, you are also more susceptible to coughing up phlegm, asthma, and bronchitis.
- Susceptible to Infectious Diseases
Another danger that threatens Hookah users is bacterial infections, infectious diseases. Some diseases that often appear due to this tool are herpes, mononucleosis, and hepatitis. In addition to bacteria, diseases derived from viruses such as flu, colds, and fever are also more easily transmitted.
The spread of the disease is caused by the alternating use of the mouthpiece with another person. In café shisha, one appliance has two to three suction hoses. This makes it easier for bacteria to move from one person to another because the mouthpieces are used interchangeably. Plus, there is no guarantee that the tubes and hoses are clean after being used by other customer groups.
- Interferes with the function of sexual organs
The danger of Hookah can threaten the health of male and female sexual organs. In men, this effect can be in the form of erectile dysfunction and minimal sperm production. While in women, the toxic content in shisha can result in disruption of uterine function and decreased sensitivity of the vaginal wall.
This effect is actually one of the consequences of blood clotting due to substances in cigarettes. Because with the thickening of blood, the circulation cannot be evenly distributed in several parts of the body, one of which is genital.
What about Electric Power Hookah?
The danger of hookah above is much influenced by burning from charcoal. Because of these objects, many other harmful metal substances are inhaled. But what if the heater uses electric power? Will it be as dangerous as ordinary shisha?
According to research from the University of Cincinnati, Ohio, e-coal used to heat electric hookahs was able to kill 70% of lung cells within 24 hours, much higher than ordinary charcoal which is only 25%. He explained that the cells die in air exchange while sucking in hookahs.
Usually, cell death is accompanied by inflammation of the airway. Although still limited to theory, Saadawi suspects that the cause is the heat of e-coal which is more consistent than charcoal so that it releases more hydrocarbons.
Conclusion
Thus a brief explanation about is hookah worse than cigarettes or not for your body’s health. Hopefully after reading this article, you discourage trying it. Also be aware of hookah smoke, because being a passive smoker is just as dangerous as being an active smoker. Remember that smoking is still not a good thing for the health of the body. Therefore, there is no need to try if you have never and try to stop if you are already addicted.