Smoking And The Senses

Did you know that smoking reduces the acuteness of your senses? Take this quiz to see if you know which senses are affectd by smoking and how they are harmed.

Question 1: Smoking is associated with an increased risk of developing:
a) Spinocerebellar degeneration
b) Multiple sclerosis
c) Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
d) All of the above

Question 2: About how much more likely are smokers to report a reduced ability to smell than non-smokers?
a) 10%
b) 50%
c) Twice as likely
d) Three times as likely

Question 3: About how much more likely are elderly smokers to show hearing loss than elderly non-smokers?
a) 25%
b) 70%
c) Twice as likely
d) Four times as likely

Question 4: Smoking is the leading preventable cause of:
a) Amnesia
b) Blindness
c) Scurvy
d) Obesity

Question 5: One of the first things many smokers say they notice when they quit is:
a) Food tastes better
b) They suffer from "rage seizures"
c) They feel cold all the time
d) Nausea

The results

The explanations

Question 1: Smoking is associated with an increased risk of developing:
Correct answer: All of the above
Your answer: Spinocerebellar degeneration Multiple sclerosis Reflex sympathetic dystrophy All of the above you left this question blank

Explanation:

All of the disorders listed are related to the nervous system. Because your nervous system is so delicate and still developing, smoking could upset the balance of your nervous system, leading to problems later in life.

Question 2: About how much more likely are smokers to report a reduced ability to smell than non-smokers?
Correct answer: Twice as likely
Your answer: 10% 50% Twice as likely Three times as likely you left this question blank

Explanation:

Smokers have more trouble identifying odors than nonsmokers do. Smoking's impairment of the sense of smell applies to young smokers as well as older ones. Fortunately, the sense of smell may improve after a smoker quits.

Question 3: About how much more likely are elderly smokers to show hearing loss than elderly non-smokers?
Correct answer: 70%
Your answer: 25% 70% Twice as likely Four times as likely you left this question blank

Explanation:

Scientists think that the reduced blood flow to the extremities associated with smoking may account for the greater likelihood of hearing loss. Reduced blood flow to the inner ear may also explain why dizziness is more common in smokers.

Question 4: Smoking is the leading preventable cause of:
Correct answer: Blindness
Your answer: Amnesia Blindness Scurvy Obesity you left this question blank


Question 5: One of the first things many smokers say they notice when they quit is:
Correct answer: Food tastes better
Your answer: Food tastes better They suffer from "rage seizures" They feel cold all the time Nausea you left this question blank

Explanation:

Smokers don't taste their food as well as nonsmokers do. However, very quickly after cessation, approximately two days after, ex-smokers notice an improvement in the taste of their food.