There is a special health check for smokers

Smokers are at increased risk for many diseases because most of the ingredients in tobacco are either toxic, irritating or carcinogenic. Smoking reduces blood flow to the blood vessels and has been shown to increase the risk of stroke and heart attack, as well as the risk of poorly supplied extremities (smoker's leg).

Smokers are at increased risk for many diseases because most of the ingredients in tobacco are either toxic, irritating or carcinogenic. Smoking reduces blood flow to the blood vessels and has been shown to increase the risk of Stroke- and heart attack risk as well as the danger of poorly cared for extremities (smoker's leg). Smokers also often suffer from lung diseases such as chronic obstructive bronchitis (COPD) or pulmonary emphysema due to the pollutants they inhale. The risk of certain types of cancer such as lung cancer is also significantly increased.

“In order to check the individual health status in the case of nicotine addiction and to be able to detect the onset of tobacco-related diseases at an early stage, we offer in our practice clinic for Diagnostics and Preventive Medicine in Bornheim, near Cologne and Bonn, offers smokers a special health check," advises Dr. Reinhold Lunow, internist and medical director of the practice clinic.

vascular check for the detection of circulatory disorders

The smokerCheck-up takes about 2 hours. “To avoid the creeping danger of a stroke In order to be able to assess the risk of heart failure, we examine the carotid artery using a special ultrasound procedure, the so-called color Doppler sonography. Possible circulatory disorders of the extremities, i.e. the beginning of smoker's leg, are checked by checking the leg vessels using the same procedure. The blood flow to the heart, ie the permeability of the coronary arteries, can be determined from a stress test.electrocardiogram (ECG) and the measurement of vascular elasticity be read,” explains Dr. Lunow.

Detailed airway and lung check

In particular, the lower respiratory tract and lungs of smokers are often damaged due to the inhalation of tobacco ingredients. pulmonary function tests and, if tumor formation is suspected, imaging procedures of the lungs and histological early diagnosis of lung cancer. We examine how far this damage has progressed and advise on possible treatment options. The blood is also examined for specific disease indicators typical of smokers and possible deficiencies, e.g. in the mineral balance. To name just a few methods of smoker check-ups," explains Dr. Lunow.

If required: advice on smoking cessation

If an immediate cessation of smoking is recommended due to a serious health risk or if nicotine addicts want to stop smoking on their own initiative, the team at the practice clinic advises smokers on effective smoking cessation.

"We will work with you to analyse the situations in which you reach for a cigarette, for example in stressful situations, and advise you on rethinking, abandoning old behavioural patterns and using alternative relaxation methods," says Dr. Lunow, outlining the smoking check-up. "If necessary, we can also recommend medical preparations for nicotine withdrawal."

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