Substance abuse has progressively become a growing epidemic in the United States, with an average of 23.5 million Americans addicted to alcohol and other drugs (Together,Join, 2010). This is estimated to one in every 10 Americans, ages 12 and over who are struggling with addiction. Among those affected by alcohol and substance related dependencies are pregnant women with nicotine addiction.
Over the years there have been countless studies and breakthroughs on the substance of nicotine, pregnant women and their nicotine consumption. This paper will focus on the substance and population, as well as the short and long term physical effects it may have on both the individual and child. While it is crucial to understand what nicotine is and what …show more content…
The first factor to note is the short-term effects of the usage of nicotine by both the mother as an individual, as well as, the mother during the gestational stages.
Female use of nicotine over a short period of time can cause physical issues such as bad breath, stained teeth or nails, and changes in appearance such as premature skin wrinkling. Less obvious symptoms include loss of athletic drive due to the inability to breathe effectively caused by damage to the respiratory system, elevated heart rate “dental problems, nervousness, depression and a tendency toward health-damaging behavior” (Womens Health, n.d.). However, for the pregnant woman, it leaves her more prone to infertility, Spontaneous abortion, or potential risk of low birth weight, “prenatal tobacco exposure may not only be related to size deficits at birth, but may also be associated with disproportionate weight (for height) among both infants and young children” (Cornelius & Day,
Over the years there have been countless studies and breakthroughs on the substance of nicotine, pregnant women and their nicotine consumption. This paper will focus on the substance and population, as well as the short and long term physical effects it may have on both the individual and child. While it is crucial to understand what nicotine is and what …show more content…
The first factor to note is the short-term effects of the usage of nicotine by both the mother as an individual, as well as, the mother during the gestational stages.
Female use of nicotine over a short period of time can cause physical issues such as bad breath, stained teeth or nails, and changes in appearance such as premature skin wrinkling. Less obvious symptoms include loss of athletic drive due to the inability to breathe effectively caused by damage to the respiratory system, elevated heart rate “dental problems, nervousness, depression and a tendency toward health-damaging behavior” (Womens Health, n.d.). However, for the pregnant woman, it leaves her more prone to infertility, Spontaneous abortion, or potential risk of low birth weight, “prenatal tobacco exposure may not only be related to size deficits at birth, but may also be associated with disproportionate weight (for height) among both infants and young children” (Cornelius & Day,