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.

From being a macho dude, Bruce Willis’ personality has changed to becoming more ‘tender’ even as the 71-year-old action hero continues to battle dementia, according to his daughter Rumer.

“I’m so grateful I get to go see him,” Rumer, 37, said during a podcast interview. “Even though it’s different now, I’m so grateful.”

“There’s a sweetness. He’s always been this kind of macho dude, and there’s like a — fragile is not the right word, but — just a tenderness that maybe being Bruce Willis might not have allowed him in a certain way,” she added.

Bruce Willis is continuing into his third year living with the condition.

In March 2022, Bruce Willis, the media legend who dominated Hollywood in his prime, was diagnosed with dementia, and since then, his family has been sharing their struggle with his diagnosis and how slowly it has been taking a toll on his health.

The following year, his diagnosis was confirmed as frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which is a degenerative disease that slowly chips away at your motor skills, communication skills, etc. His wife, Emma Heming Willis, noted early signs were subtle changes in his speech, initially mistaken for a resurgence of his childhood stutter.

Rumer is the eldest daughter of Bruce and The Substance star Demi Moore, who were married from 1987 to 2000. The former couple also had Scout Willis, 34, and Tallulah, 32, together.

Although FTD is considered to be one of the rarest forms of dementia, Rumer said the disease is more “prevalent” than she realized.

“It’s wild to me. So many people come up to me now, and they say, ‘My uncle had FTD. My dad had this,” she said.

Bruce Willis Is Alive

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Earlier this year, in March, a hoax news of Bruce Willis’ death circulated. However, his representatives confirmed that the news is fabricated and that the actor is alive.

"He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. He's still alive and well. Stop believing what you see on the Internet," his official representative stated.

What Is Frontotemporal Dementia?

Frontotemporal dementia is a less prevalent type of dementia that mainly occurs in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. It tends to affect behavior, personality, language, and movement more than memory, particularly in its initial stages.

In contrast to Alzheimer's, which generally strikes older individuals, FTD can hit at an earlier age—sometimes as young as 40. The symptoms can range from changes in personality, emotional flatness, or the inability to show empathy to impulsiveness, so it is especially hard for spouses and children to cope.

Frontotemporal Dementia: Symptoms

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The Mayo Clinic states that the symptoms of FTD vary depending on the most affected part of the brain. The progression is gradual but relentless.

Behavioral symptoms:

• Socially inappropriate behavior.
• Loss of empathy and sensitivity to others.
• Poor judgment and impulsivity.
• Apathy that can be mistaken for depression.
• Compulsive habits such as tapping, clapping, or repetitive lip-smacking.
• Decline in hygiene.
• Odd eating habits – from sudden sugar cravings to chewing on non-food items.

• Trouble understanding and producing speech.
• Difficulty finding the right words.
• Using vague terms like “it” instead of specific words.
• Simplified, telegraphic speech.
• Errors in building sentences.

• Tremors, stiffness, or muscle spasms.
• Difficulty swallowing or weakness.
• Poor balance leading to falls.
• Inappropriate emotional outbursts, such as laughing or crying.
• The “wide-based gait” noted by Dr. Gartner falls into this movement-related cluster, aligning with the suspicion of FTD.

Even as injectable aesthetic procedures are gaining popularity as "cosmetic" treatments in beauty clinics and wellness centers across the country, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has tightened rules around cosmetic use.

In a new public notice issued this week, the CDSCO stated that cosmetic products that come in injectable form do not fall under the definition of cosmetics under the law. It said that such products are not permitted for use by consumers, professionals, or aesthetic clinics.

"Cosmetic means any article intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled or sprayed on, or introduced into, or otherwise applied to, the human body," the notice said.

It added that cosmetics are for "cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance."

Thus, "products supplied in the form of injectable preparation do not fall under the definition of cosmetics. No cosmetic is permitted to be used as injection by consumer/professionals/aesthetic clinics," the notice added.

What Can No Longer Be Done

The new rules bar professionals and stakeholders from using or manufacturing any cosmetic product intended for injection or medical purposes.

The move also seeks to curb misleading advertising and unauthorised cosmetic practices by clinics and individuals.

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The regulator also warned against misleading claims and the use of prohibited ingredients in cosmetic products, saying such violations attract action under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Cosmetics Rules, 2020.

"Use of prohibited ingredients in cosmetic products, misleading claims on label, use of cosmetics for treatment, and application of cosmetics through injection attracts violations of the said Act & Rules," the notice said.

The regulator stated that no person shall alter, obliterate, or deface any inscription made by the manufacturer on the container or label of the product intended for use as a cosmetic.

The notice added that the list of generally not recognised as safe (GNRAS) and restricted ingredients is published by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

It has also encouraged the public and users to report any instance of misleading claims or violations through email and state licensing authorities.

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Why Injectable Beauty Clinic Therapies Are Under Scanner

The move follows several incidents of sub-standard cosmetic products found to be sold in the market, ranging from Botox parties in upscale salons to glutathione “skin whitening” drips offered in local aesthetic clinics.

Social media trends, celebrity endorsements, and growing demand for “preventive anti-ageing” treatments among younger consumers have driven the market for injectable beauty products, especially Glutathione drips, as well as detoxifying therapies, in the country.

Medical experts have also been raising concerns over their long-term safety and efficacy. As per experts, unregulated injectable procedures carry risks ranging from allergic reactions and infections to liver and kidney complications in extreme cases.

The new norms, thus, are part of the government's plans to strengthen the regulatory mechanism for cosmetics.

The government is also reportedly planning to designate a Central Cosmetics Laboratory to test cosmetic samples and may also designate any laboratory under its control for testing, according to Mint.

In addition, manufacturers will have to keep details and records of each batch and raw materials. Records are to be maintained for three years after the expiry of each batch. Imported cosmetic products shall bear a code number as approved by the State Licensing Authority.

Amid continuing heatwave conditions in northern India, prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures can trigger serious and potentially fatal medical emergencies, particularly among elderly individuals and cardiac patients, according to an expert.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of severe temperatures across several states.

"Heat wave to severe heat wave conditions likely to continue to prevail over northwest & central India during the week and over East India during the next 5 days," the IMD said, in its latest update on May 20.

It added that severe heat conditions will persist for at least the next 72 hours across Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana. Temperatures in several cities are expected to touch 47°C to 48°C, with Banda currently emerging as the hottest place in the country.

Dr. Vaibhav Mishra, Senior Director & Head, CTVS, Max Super Speciality Hospital, told HealthandMe that heat-related illnesses are not limited to discomfort or dehydration alone, and can rapidly worsen if early warning signs are ignored.

Heat Exhaustion Vs Heat Stroke

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There are two major heat-related illnesses that people must understand so that timely precautions can be taken — heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

"Heat exhaustion is a milder and more common condition and typically occurs after prolonged exposure to high temperatures or intense physical activity in the outdoors," Dr. Vaibhav said.

Excessive sweating leads to significant loss of water and salts from the body, resulting in:

• dehydration,
• fatigue,
• dizziness,
• muscle cramps,
• weakness,
• headache,
• nausea.

"However, if heat exposure continues and the body’s cooling mechanisms begin to fail, the condition can progress to heat stroke, which is a medical emergency. In heat stroke, body temperature often rises above 104°F," Dr Vaibhav told HealthandMe.

What may initially appear as confusion, disorientation, or irrelevant talking can rapidly worsen into:

• altered consciousness,
• seizures,
• coma,
• death.

How Heat Affects The Heart

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Dr Vaibhav said that to cool the body during extreme heat, the heart has to work harder and beat faster so that more blood can be directed towards the skin for heat dissipation.

"This places additional stress on an already weakened heart. Many cardiac patients are also on medications such as diuretics, which increase fluid loss and dehydration. Certain blood pressure medicines may blunt the body’s normal response to heat and delay warning symptoms," the expert told HealthandMe.

Dehydration further thickens the blood and, combined with increased cardiac workload, can significantly raise the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and dangerous rhythm disturbances.

How To Prevent Heat Stroke

Dr. Vaibhav stressed the critical need for early recognition of symptoms, especially in vulnerable individuals such as elderly people and cardiac patients, who are much more susceptible to heat-related complications.

Simple preventive measures can save lives. These include

• avoiding direct sun exposure during peak afternoon hours,
• maintaining adequate hydration,
• wearing loose cotton clothing,
• avoiding strenuous outdoor activity,
• never ignoring early symptoms such as excessive fatigue, dizziness, or confusion.