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.

A GP has shared an urgent alert about a clearly visible cancer symptom that many women may be brushing aside. The doctor stressed that this particular sign needs to be checked without delay. Ahead of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, beginning January 19, as per Mirror, Dr Rupa Parmar outlined key warning signs of the disease and cautioned that one in three women are skipping their routine cervical screening appointments.

She also highlighted that some of the most common symptoms are often dismissed. One such sign is weight loss, which many women may wrongly link to cutting back after festive overindulgence or returning to a normal routine in January.

Women Urged Not To Ignore This Obvious Cancer Symptom

Dr Parmar, a GP and Medical Director at Midland Health, explained: “Cancer cells interfere with the body’s ability to properly absorb fats, proteins and carbohydrates from food. As a result, calories are burned more quickly, leading to weight loss. Unexplained weight loss is often the most obvious sign of cancer and should always be checked straight away.” She added that sudden weight loss is not exclusive to cervical cancer and is recognised as a general warning sign across several types of cancer.

Cancer Research UK also notes that weight loss is common among people with cancer and can be one of the first reasons someone seeks medical advice. The charity points out that lung cancer and cancers of the upper digestive system are among those most often linked to weight loss.

Dr Parmar also highlighted other possible signs of cervical cancer.

Pain During Sex

Pain during intercourse can be caused by issues such as vaginal dryness, infections or skin conditions, Dr Parmar said. However, if pain is new and wasn’t present before, it could be linked to cervical cancer, as a growing tumour may begin to affect nearby tissues.

Recurrent UTIs

Experiencing three or more urinary tract infections within a year could indicate an underlying problem, including cervical cancer. Dr Parmar clarified that UTIs do not cause cancer, but repeated infections may occur if a tumour has advanced and is pressing on or blocking the urinary tract.

Pelvic Pain

Ongoing and severe pain in the lower back or pelvic area with no clear explanation can be another warning sign, particularly when combined with other symptoms. As cervical cancer advances, this pain may intensify and can worsen during sex, urination or bowel movements.

Vaginal Bleeding

Bleeding that is unusual for you should never be ignored. This includes bleeding during or after sex, spotting between periods, bleeding after menopause, heavier-than-normal periods, or cycles that last longer than usual. These changes can signal that something may be wrong.

Discharge

Changes in vaginal discharge can also point to problems with the cervix. An increase in discharge, an unusual smell, changes in colour, or the presence of blood may occur once cancer has begun to affect nearby tissues.

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible.

Dietary supplements are already part of many people’s daily habits, especially at the start of the year when health goals are front of mind. What many may not realise is that there is one supplement the Government says everyone should be taking through the colder months. Health guidance recommends a small daily dose of vitamin D for everyone in the UK from around October to late March, as sunlight levels are too low for the body to produce enough on its own. Vitamin D supplements are easy to find and come in several forms, including tablets, capsules, gummies and liquid drops. Here is a simple breakdown of what vitamin D is and why it matters.

What Is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that helps control calcium and phosphate levels in the body. These minerals work together to support healthy bones, teeth and muscles.

When vitamin D levels are too low, children can develop rickets, a condition that causes bones to become soft and weak. In adults, deficiency may lead to osteomalacia, which can result in bone pain, muscle weakness and a higher risk of fractures.

What Does The Government Recommend?

UK health advice states that everyone should take a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms, or 400 international units, of vitamin D during autumn and winter.

This amount is considered sufficient to maintain general wellbeing, particularly bone and muscle health, at a time of year when sunlight alone is not enough for vitamin D production.

Official guidance explains: “This advice is particularly important for people who have little exposure to sunlight during spring and summer, including those living in residential or nursing care homes, people in prisons, and individuals who regularly wear clothing that covers most of their skin when outdoors.

“These groups are at greater risk of vitamin D deficiency. People with darker skin tones, such as those from African, African-Caribbean or South Asian backgrounds, may also struggle to get enough vitamin D from sunlight alone.

“All of these groups are advised to take a vitamin D supplement throughout the year, in line with standard government dietary guidance.”

A scheme that once allowed eligible people to apply for free vitamin D supplements was available previously, but this programme ended in 2021.

Where Can You Get Vitamin D?

Between late March or early April and the end of September, most people can produce enough vitamin D naturally through sun exposure. The body creates vitamin D when UV-B rays from sunlight reach the skin.

Vitamin D is also present in certain foods, including oily fish, red meat, egg yolks, and fortified products such as some spreads and breakfast cereals.

Supplements can be bought easily from pharmacies and supermarkets, with some costing as little as 2p per day. Vitamin D3 is generally the preferred form.

Can You Get Too Much Vitamin D?

Yes. While sunlight does not cause vitamin D overdose, taking excessive supplements over a long period can lead to a build-up of calcium in the body. This can weaken bones and cause damage to the kidneys and heart.

For most people, a daily intake of 10 micrograms is sufficient. NHS advice states that adults should not take more than 100 micrograms, or 4,000IU, per day, as higher amounts may be harmful.

If a doctor has advised a different dosage based on your individual health needs, it is important to follow their guidance.

Concerns around fertility and vaccines often surface when people plan a family, and the HPV vaccine is no exception. Many women and men worry that getting vaccinated today could affect their ability to conceive later in life. Medical experts, however, say this fear is misplaced. According to fertility specialists, there is no evidence linking the HPV vaccine to reduced fertility. In fact, the vaccine may play a quiet but important role in protecting reproductive health over the long term.

Does The HPV Vaccine Affect Fertility?

The short and clear answer is no. The HPV vaccine does not negatively affect fertility in women or men. Dr. Madhu Patil, Consultant and Fertility Specialist at Motherhood Fertility and IVF, Sarjapur, Bangalore, explains that there is no scientific proof showing the vaccine causes fertility problems of any kind.

She notes that concerns often arise from misinformation rather than medical data. Extensive research and global vaccination programmes have consistently shown that people who receive the HPV vaccine do not experience reduced chances of conceiving in the future.

How HPV Infection Can Threaten Future Fertility

While the vaccine itself does not harm fertility, an untreated HPV infection can. HPV is the leading cause of nearly all cervical cancer cases. As per Dr Patil, “treatment for cervical cancer often involves procedures such as cone biopsy or LEEP, which can weaken the cervix. In more advanced cases, radiation or chemotherapy may be required.”

These treatments can reduce a woman’s ability to conceive and, in some cases, make it difficult to carry a pregnancy to full term. By preventing HPV-related cancers in the first place, the vaccine helps preserve the reproductive system and lowers the risk of fertility-compromising treatments later in life.

Why The HPV Vaccine Supports Reproductive Health

Dr. Patil points out that the HPV vaccine should be viewed as a protective measure rather than a risk. By stopping high-risk HPV strains from causing cancer or precancerous changes, the vaccine helps maintain cervical health. A healthy cervix and reproductive system are key factors in natural conception and safe pregnancies.

In this way, the vaccine indirectly supports fertility by reducing the likelihood of medical interventions that could interfere with reproductive function.

When Should the HPV Vaccine Be Taken?

Health experts recommend starting HPV vaccination at ages 11 or 12. At this stage, the immune response is strongest, and the vaccine offers protection well before any potential exposure to the virus. Dr. Patil strongly encourages parents to consult a gynaecologist and consider timely vaccination for their children.

That said, adults who missed vaccination earlier can still benefit. Many women and men receive the vaccine later in life after discussing it with their doctor.

Why Men Should Also Get The HPV Vaccine

The HPV vaccine is not only for women. Dr. Patil stresses that men should also be vaccinated, as HPV can cause cancers and genital warts that affect sexual health. Vaccination in men also reduces transmission to partners, adding another layer of protection for couples planning a family.

By limiting the spread of HPV, vaccination helps safeguard the reproductive and sexual health of both partners.

There is no evidence that the HPV vaccine reduces fertility. On the contrary, it helps prevent cancers and medical treatments that can threaten the ability to conceive or carry a pregnancy. Experts advise speaking with a gynaecologist, understanding the benefits, and making an informed decision based on medical facts rather than fear.