Thul is a popular, but very dangerous practice among some people in South Asian countries like India, Sri Lanka. This involves holding a mixture of tobacco, tar, chalk and other substances in the mouth. Although this may seem normal at first glance, there are many carcinogenic chemicals hidden inside this little mixture.
The Secret of Blending: Addictive Harmony
The main ingredients of Tul are:
- Tobacco: Tobacco is the main ingredient in tul. Tobacco contains a powerful addictive substance called nicotine. Nicotine releases the chemical dopamine in the brain. Because of this, they feel happy and refreshed, so people resort to using thul again and again.
- Areca nut: Areca nut also has alkaloids like arecoline. This too can be addiction. Because of papaya, the saliva in the mouth becomes more. It can also increase heart rate and blood pressure.
- Chalk: Lime (Calcium hydroxide) is added to the sticks kept in the mouth to facilitate the absorption of nicotine. Chalk changes the pH value of the mouth. Because of this alkaline environment, nicotine can easily enter the body.
- Other flavorings and flavorings: Cloves, cardamom, nutmeg, and other intoxicants are added to thul to enhance flavor, aroma, and intoxication. These things can also have negative effects.
Deadly Threats to Health
The main and most dangerous result of using teeth is oral cancer. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the main cause of oral cancer is the use of toothpicks.
- Oral Cancer: Due to the powerful carcinogens contained in tul, oral cancer takes a major place. These can be identified mainly under several types:
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC): Most of the oral cancers (more than 90%) belong to this type. These are cancers that arise from the epithelial cells of the mouth. These can occur anywhere like lips, gums, tongue, cheeks, palate.
- Verrucous Carcinoma: These are a slower growing type of cancer than SCC. But this can also spread to bones and surrounding tissues.
- Minor Salivary Gland Carcinomas: Salivary gland cancers are relatively rare. But the use of thul increases the risk of these occurrences.
- Process of cancer: The main carcinogens in tul are nitrosamines contained in tobacco and arecoline contained in betel nuts. These chemicals damage DNA and cause abnormal growth of cells. Lime (calcium hydroxide) provides an alkaline environment for these carcinogens to be absorbed into the body. When the tongue is kept in the mouth for a long time, this cancer cells start growing.
- Other Cancers: In addition to oral cancer due to thul use,
- Pharyngeal cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- The risk of pancreatic cancer also increases.
- Cancer detection: Early detection of oral cancer is very important. If you have symptoms such as non-healing sores, white or red spots, swelling, difficulty swallowing, changes in your voice for more than two weeks, you should see a doctor immediately. Medical tests, if necessary, the cancer can be confirmed by taking a piece of tissue (biopsy).
- Treatment: Treatment methods for oral cancer are determined based on factors such as the type, size, and spread of the cancer. Methods such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are used for this purpose. If detected at an early stage, the chances of recovery are very high.
- Precancerous lesions: White or red spots may appear inside the mouth when teeth are kept in the mouth frequently. These are called leukoplakia and erythroplakia. These are not cancer, but there is a big chance of becoming cancer.
- Bad breath and tooth decay: Thul increases the bacterial activity in the mouth and causes problems like tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath.
- Heart Diseases and Stroke: Due to the nicotine in tul, the blood vessels become thin, blood pressure increases and the risk of heart disease and stroke increases.
- Other effects: Many other diseases such as anorexia, inflammation of the alimentary tract, diabetes, kidney disease may occur due to the use of tul. If used in pregnant women, there is a possibility of giving birth to low birth weight babies, or the baby will be born prematurely.
The killer who kills young lives: the situation in Sri Lanka
It is sad to say that the use of thul is increasing among the young generation of Sri Lanka. Some young people see this as a fashion. Others are influenced by their friends. Some people think that this gives a "cool" look. But the true story is that thul is a deadly trap to shorten one's own life and succumb to diseases. It can be seen that boys and girls who go to school are addicted to this.
- Pain of Cancer: Imagine, how much sadness and pain will you suffer if you develop mouth cancer? It is impossible to eat food, drink some water and even talk. The face is deformed. Not only that, you have to spend a lot of money on medicines and treatment in hospitals. How unfortunate is it to have to fight with cancer at an age where you should be happy when you are young?
- Unending Pain: Cancer treatment is not easy. Things like chemotherapy (chemotherapy), radiation therapy (radiotherapy) cause many side effects to the body. Loss of hair, loss of appetite, feeling sick all the time. We have to endure all this and fight with life.
- Lost dreams: Youth is the most beautiful time of life. Study, work, have fun, love... all these require a strong and healthy body. All this can be lost due to the use of tools. Can you imagine how a young man who dreams big about the future, all those dreams will be blurred because of Tul?
- Being a burden to the family: When cancer occurs, it is a big burden not only for oneself, but for the whole family. Mother, father, brothers and sisters are all grieving. They also have a lot of stress. How painful is it for the family to suffer because of their illness?
Can you get rid of it?
If you are addicted to drugs, it is not easy to get rid of it. But it is not impossible. It is very important to get medical advice as well as your wish for this.
- Medical advice: A doctor can advise you on a suitable course of treatment. Perhaps the doctor may decide to give nicotine replacement therapy or counseling.
- Counseling:Through psychological counseling, we identify the causes of drug use and help to deal with them.
- Support from friends and family: You are not alone in this struggle. Ask for help from family and friends. They will be a great strength for you.
Finally,
Tul is not something that can be tasted or enjoyed. It is a dangerous habit that leads to death. Staying away from this habit will be the biggest benefit you will do in your life. Youth is a precious time that will never come again. Don't waste that time by getting sick and suffering. To live a healthy and happy life, the best thing to do is to stay away from things like tul.
Educate our young generation, don't forget to share!
