When something is going wrong in your body, there will be signs. They may be subtle, but they are visible in close observation. If you are a smoker, you may be worried about the smell of smoke emanating from your mouth or clothes. However, there are other signs that tell whether you smoke or not and these signs are difficult to get rid of!

Smoking is the harmful act of inhaling tobacco infused smoke and is a common activity all over the world. According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 480,000 deaths happen each year due to smoking or smoke inhalation. The organization explained that smoking causes harm to nearly all organs and quitting lowers the risk of early death and other smoking related diseases.

Like many other substances, there are clear tell-tale signs when someone is smoking. This is especially important for finding lung problems like Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is a lung disease that makes it hard to breathe, sooner so people can get help.

Why Does Smoking Affect Your Physical Appearance?

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) explains that tobacco smoke has more than 7,000 harmful chemicals like nicotine, carbon monoxide, and various metals like arsenic, cadmium, and lead, quickly reach your lungs and then travel through your blood to all your organs, including your skin. Smoking damages your skin's ability to heal because it increases an enzyme metalloproteinase (MMPs) that breaks down collagen. Collagen is what keeps your skin smooth and elastic. As you lose collagen, your skin sags. Squinting from the smoke and puckering your mouth when smoking also cause wrinkles around your eyes and mouth.

Smoking also reduces blood flow to your skin, which means it gets less oxygen and nutrients. All these things together lead to what doctors call a "smoker's face." Quitting smoking can help prevent or slow down these skin problems."

Visible Signs Of Smoking

Here are some visible signs of smoking in people, according to 2013, Lung India

Fingers and Nails

When people smoke, the tar and other chemicals in the smoke stick to their fingers and nails. This repeated contact causes a yellow stain that's hard to wash off. It's a very common sign that someone regularly handles cigarettes or biris.

Moustaches

Especially in older people with white moustaches, smoking causes a yellowing effect. This is most noticeable in the center of the moustache, where the smoke from the nose directly hits the hair. The consistent exposure to smoke colors the hair over time.

Lips

Heavy smokers often have a bluish-black tint to their lips. This discoloration happens because the chemicals in tobacco smoke affect the blood flow and the color of the skin on the lips. The constant exposure changes the lip's natural color.

Teeth

Smoking causes teeth to stain both inside and out. The outside of the teeth turns yellow from the tar, while the inside develops a brownish-black stain. This happens because the smoke seeps into the enamel and discolors the teeth over time.

Premature Wrinkling

Smoking makes the skin age faster. This leads to wrinkles like "crow's feet" around the eyes and "cobblestone wrinkles" on the neck. This happens because smoking reduces blood flow, limiting oxygen to the skin, and damages collagen, which keeps skin elastic.

Nodular Elastosis

This condition, also known as "Favre–Racouchot syndrome," causes blackheads and wrinkles, especially around the eyes and temples. It is made worse by both sun exposure and heavy smoking. The skin becomes discolored with visible nodules and wrinkles.

Facial Wrinkling and COPD

A study published in Thorax 2006 found a connection between wrinkles on the face and COPD, a lung disease. It's thought that smoking affects both the skin and lungs through similar processes. If doctors notice signs like "crow's feet" on a smoker's face, they might recommend tests for COPD. This early detection can help people get treatment sooner and improve their lung health.

Oral cancer cases are on the rise because of tobacco chewing, smoking, alcohol consumption, poor oral hygiene, and delayed medical attention. Many people ignore small red or white patches, which are early warning signs of cancer and should never be overlooked. There is an average delay of six months in cancer diagnosis, which is the reason patients are diagnosed with stage 3 and 4 cancers.

Dr Prathamesh Pai, Senior Consultant Head and Neck Surgical Oncologist, Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, explained the difference between red and white patches in the mouth and what they may indicate about your health.

Red vs White Patches in the Mouth

White patches inside the mouth are called leukoplakia, while red patches are known as erythroplakia. Both can occur on the tongue, gums, inner cheeks, or floor of the mouth. Though both need equal attention, red patches are more dangerous, with a higher risk of being cancerous in comparison to white patches. Red patches in the mouth indicate severe abnormal cellular changes, which can develop into precancerous conditions or cancer. Around 60% to 80% of erythroplakias are diagnosed as early-stage cancer on biopsy.

What is erythroplakia?

Erythroplakia is a fiery red, well-defined patch in the mouth. These lesions are velvety in appearance. They often appear on the floor of the mouth or the retromolar trigone (the area behind the wisdom teeth). Red patches often go unreported, as they are mistaken for traumatic mouth ulcers caused by hard foods or dental irritation.

If a red patch does not heal within two to three weeks, it should raise concerns about cancer. Besides the duration, patches that bleed on touch, are painful while eating, are associated with a burning sensation, difficulty swallowing, loosening of teeth, or voice changes should be investigated. Tobacco users should be even more mindful. Ignoring persistent red or white patches can allow the disease to progress silently.

So, make sure to seek immediate help and consult a doctor. For anyone presenting with red or white patches, the doctor will carry out a physical oral examination and a biopsy, in which a small tissue sample is taken from the patch for evaluation. A CT scan and MRI may also be advised, depending on the location of the patch and other clinical features.

Why early detection of cancer matters

Remember, early detection of cancer is curable. Treatment is also less extensive, often involving minor intraoral surgery and preservation of speech and swallowing functions. As the cancer stage advances, surgery may require the removal of parts of the cheek, jaw, or tongue, as well as postoperative radiotherapy. This affects the face and neck and hampers important functions such as eating, speaking, and swallowing. This has major implications for quality of life. Treatment can also be a financial burden, especially for younger patients.

Take charge of your life. Lead a happy, healthy life. Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and other addictions. Visit your dentist regularly and maintain good oral hygiene. Prevention is better than cure. In the case of any non-healing ulcers in the mouth, swelling in the neck, altered speech or swallowing, or altered bowel habits for more than two weeks despite treatment, do visit a doctor. Remember, early detection of cancer is curable.

New Delhi's weather is fluctuating sharply, with Western Disturbances driving bouts of intense heat and sudden pre-monsoon showers. The city is currently hovering in the mid-30s°C but is also bracing for a return to scorching heat, with maximum temperatures forecast to climb into the low to mid-40s°C this week.

Such weather fluctuations can play a significant role in triggering migraine attacks, said Dr. Vivek Kumar, Principal Director - Neurology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj.

Weather Factors That Can Trigger Migraines

Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr. Vivek noted that many components of weather are reported to affect migraine. These include:

• Barometric pressure
• Humidity
• Temperature
• Seasons

Dr. Kumar explained that a drop in atmospheric pressure, often seen before storms, can create a pressure imbalance between the environment and the sinuses or inner ear, stimulating nerves and leading to headaches.

"Rapid temperature changes, as well as exposure to extreme heat or cold, can also trigger migraine episodes," he said.

Similarly, both high humidity and very dry air have been associated with the onset of migraine symptoms. Bright sunlight and intense sun exposure, particularly when reflected off surfaces such as snow or water, are also recognized migraine triggers.

Also read: Global Temperatures Likely To Stay Near Record Levels For Next Five Years: WMO

How Does The Weather Trigger Migraines?

According to Dr. Kumar, weather changes can affect brain chemistry by influencing serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter involved in migraine development. They may also contribute to inflammation or pressure differences within the sinuses.

Further, the expert noted that seasonal transitions can be particularly challenging.

"Spring and summer may trigger migraines because of heat and allergens, while winter's cold and dry air can also contribute to headaches and sinus discomfort," he said.

Notably, weather is often only one factor among several. Allergies during spring or viral illnesses during autumn may also combine with environmental changes to trigger headaches, Dr. Kumar stressed.

Migraine Vs Sinus Headache

Read More: What Can You Learn About Your Health From Ice Cream Headaches?

Migraine is also frequently mistaken for a sinus headache because the symptoms often overlap.

Dr. Kumar noted that migraine attacks can cause forehead and facial pressure, as well as nasal congestion or a runny nose. Unlike migraine, however, sinus infections may be accompanied by fever.

He explained that migraine can activate nerves in the face, a phenomenon known as cranial autonomic activation, which can create sensations of nasal blockage and congestion.

While weather changes are difficult to avoid, monitoring weather forecasts may help people prepare for potential triggers. Preventive treatment may also reduce sensitivity to environmental changes and allow greater freedom in daily activities.

Tips To Prevent Migraine

Dr. Kumar advised:

• Keeping a migraine diary for at least 90 days to help identify specific weather-related patterns associated with attacks.
• Treating migraine attacks early when weather-related triggers are suspected. Early treatment can shorten the duration of an attack and prevent symptoms from becoming severe.
• Maintaining adequate hydration, particularly during hot weather or physical activity. Carrying water when outdoors can help compensate for fluid loss through sweating.
• For those sensitive to bright sunlight, staying indoors during peak daylight hours may be beneficial. When outdoor exposure is unavoidable, protective sunglasses or hats can help reduce glare and light sensitivity.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most feared diseases, and it causes thousands of lives to be wasted away due to this fatal disease. According to the Population-Based Cancer Registries (PBCRs) managed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the IARC Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN), about 22,982 Indians have pancreatic cancer every year.

On the other hand, the American Cancer Society's US SEER Pancreatic Cancer Stat Facts shows the annual number of cases is 67,530. Thus, any lead to resisting cancer is good news for the world. Recently, a research team from Stony Brook Medicine and Luisa Escobar-Hoyos of Yale School of Medicine, led by Kenneth Shroyer and Natalia Marchenko, found an important fact to fight the fatal disease.

The study investigated the role of Keratin 17 (K17) and found that the protein can be a driver of chemoresistance to gemcitabine. It is often used to treat various types of cancer. The study shows that the K17 can act as a target for the development of novel treatments.

They discovered that the protein is a key driver of chemoresistance to gemcitabine, an agent used to treat a wide range of cancers, including advanced tumors of the pancreas, lungs, and breast.

How New Pancreatic Cancer Drug Daxorrasib Can Help You?

Daxaronrasib is a daily oral pill that has demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared with standard intravenous chemotherapy.

Described as a multi-selective inhibitor of RAS(ON) proteins, it is the first investigational drug in a new class of RAS inhibitors designed to target a broad spectrum of cancer-causing RAS mutations.

The drug works by blocking KRAS signalling proteins that drive tumor growth.

Read More: New Pancreatic Cancer Drug Daxaronrasib May Benefit Patients With Lung And Ovarian Tumors Too

Daraxonrasib is the first drug. It works by pairing up with a protein called cyclophilin A inside cells, acting like a molecular glue, glomming onto the mutated protein.

Pancreatic cancer is considered one of the most RAS-dependent cancers, with more than 90 per cent of patients carrying tumours driven by RAS protein mutations. Similar RAS-targeting drugs are also being developed for pancreatic, lung, and colon cancers.

The findings were presented at a plenary session of the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s meeting in Chicago on May 31 and simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine.