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SIDE EFFECTS OF GUTKHA (TOBACCO). Carcinogenic
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Carcinogenic • The most serious side effect associated with prolonged gutkha use is an increased risk of cancer. The National Institutes of Health report that betel nut is suspected to elevate the risk of cancer of the gums, mouth, throat, lung, liver, stomach, prostate and esophagus. The carcinogenic alkaloids in betel nut are made even more dangerous by the inclusion of tobacco and lime in gutkha. An elevated cancer risk has only been documented in people who chew or consume gutkha on a regular basis--while occasional use is far from ideal, it is not likely to have an appreciable effect on cancer risk. Psychological • In small doses, betel nut is only slightly more psychoactive than coffee or chewing tobacco. However, in large doses, it can cause a cocaine-like state of intoxication. Symptoms of gutkha intoxication include dilated pupils, amnesia, psychosis, confusion, impaired judgment and euphoria. While some gutkha users seek the product because of its euphoric, stimulant effects, it can cause serious long-term psychological problems. After long-term use, many users become addicted to gutkha's effects on brain chemistry. Withdrawal symptoms include insomnia, dry mouth, amnesia, insomnia, cognitive problems and fatigue.
Cardiovascular • Like most stimulants, gutkha can adversely affect the cardiovascular system. The National Institutes of Health warn that betel nut is associated with abrupt changes in blood pressure, which can lead to unpleasant side effects such as dizziness and blurred vision. Palpitations and cardiac arrhythmia are also very common in people using gutkha on both a long-term and short-term basis. More seriously, gutkha use is associated with an elevated risk of chest pain, heart attack and stroke. Gutkha should be avoided entirely by smokers and anyone with a history of heart disease. Gastrointestinal • Gutkha has been known to cause many gastrointestinal side effects. Nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, abdominal pain and diarrhea are common in gutkha users. Rarely, these side effects may be so severe that they lead to a life-threatening state of dehydration, which may require hospitalization. Gastrointestinal side effects may last several hours, days or even weeks following the ingestion of gutkha. It has also been known to cause users to lose control of the bowels and/or bladder. While some Ayurvedic practitioners recommend gutkha in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, it is likely to worsen these conditions rather than improve them.
Other Effects • The National Institutes of Health report dozens of potential side effects associated with betel nut and tobacco, two of the primary components of gutkha. Gutkha is acutely toxic to the liver and kidneys and can cause life-threatening fluctuations in blood sugar for people with diabetes. It also frequently causes a reddish staining of the gums, teeth and lips. Less commonly, routine gutkha users develop a sallow complexion. Though gutkha is used by children, it is considered to be unsafe for those under 18 years of age; its toxic effects also make it contraindicated for women who are pregnant and nursing.
