| Smoking is a very dangerous addiction, yet people | | | | death and disability, smoking-related illnesses cause 30 |
| can't give it up easily. Find out why smoking is so | | | | million deaths per year. |
| addictive, what are the problems that result from | | | | What Should one do If He Wants to Give up |
| smoking, what are the treatment methods for it, what | | | | Smoking? |
| the benefits of quitting are and much more about | | | | Giving up smoking is the most difficult thing. So, to give |
| smoking here. | | | | up smoking, you: |
| Why is Smoking So Addictive? | | | | - Must have the desire to give up smoking and create |
| Smoking rushes nicotine to the brain and this is the | | | | a strong will to avoid a smoking relapse |
| fastest method of delivery; smoking also gives | | | | - Must learn about the effects of smoking, understand |
| smokers precise control over their nicotine intake. | | | | its consequences and face the fact that you need to |
| Therefore, both 'speed and control' greatly enhance | | | | stop smoking and follow, finish and maintain a quit |
| the addictive effect of nicotine on the brain. Smoking | | | | smoking plan |
| actually introduces nicotine to the pulmonary beds of | | | | Once you have made up your mind to quit smoking, |
| the lungs from where nicotine is directly transported to | | | | half the battle is won; because most smokers do not |
| the brain in seconds. | | | | think about quitting. Smokers often try to quit more |
| Nicotine mimics the neurotransmitter acetylcholine; it | | | | than once before they actually succeed. But continuing |
| binds to and activates the nicotinic acetylcholine | | | | to try also needs grit and perseverance; it also shows |
| receptors. Once nicotine reaches the brain, it quickly | | | | how committed you are to the cause. |
| spreads to the activated brain regions such as reward, | | | | Once you have learned about the dangers of smoking, |
| memory and learning centers. These firing receptors | | | | you will definitely feel more committed to quit. Learning |
| cause the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that | | | | about the health implications is enough to shock most |
| is associated with pleasure and addiction. So, in order | | | | people into quitting quickly. |
| to maintain these dopamine levels, a person needs to | | | | You must prepare to quit smoking. You must distance |
| smoke frequently. Smoking may actually maintain | | | | yourself from friends, situations or places that compel |
| dopamine levels by reducing enzymes that break it | | | | you to smoke. Be surrounded by people who can help |
| down or by increasing the level of molecules that inhibit | | | | you with your initiative. |
| dopamine clean up. | | | | If you can't quit cold turkey, don't hesitate to use stop |
| Simultaneously, nicotine also influences other areas of | | | | smoking aids like medications and NRTs. Most people |
| the brain that control mood, energy levels and memory | | | | are able to quit and stay quit with external help. |
| as well as cause long-lasting neurological changes. As | | | | If you want to quit smoking and remain a quitter, you |
| a result, the brain gets used to a constant dose of | | | | have to stay away from temptation and persistent |
| nicotine and therefore when you stop smoking, you | | | | nicotine cravings. 'Slipping up' will only lead to a relapse |
| experience withdrawal symptoms. This also makes it a | | | | so keep yourself motivated to remain smoke free. |
| difficult habit to kick. | | | | What Treatment Options are Available to Help Stop |
| What is Passive Smoking and What Are the Risks? | | | | Smoking? |
| Passive smoking can be defined as involuntary | | | | Some people have a strong determination to quit |
| inhalation of secondhand tobacco smoke. This | | | | smoking via the cold turkey method; this is achieved by |
| secondhand tobacco smoke is a mixture of smoke | | | | sheer will power alone. However, most smoker's find it |
| exhaled by active smokers as well as smoke released | | | | difficult to quit in this way and therefore require |
| from smoldering tobacco, diluted with ambient air. | | | | treatment to help them quit smoking. Some men and |
| Passive smoking generally occurs in closed | | | | women may become non-smokers through counseling |
| environments, but open environments are equally | | | | alone but their numbers can be counted on the |
| prone. Passive smokers are also exposed to | | | | fingertips. Counseling helps strengthen a person's |
| carcinogens and toxic components present in | | | | motivation to quit and keeps him/her motivated until he |
| secondhand tobacco smoke. | | | | she is able to quit successfully. |
| Passive smoking can have serious effects on an | | | | Many smokers take advantage of nicotine |
| individual's health. The health effects of passive | | | | replacement therapy (NRTs) to help them quit smoking. |
| smoking are as serious and debilitating as smoking | | | | This therapy works to relieve a person from nicotine |
| itself. The risks outlined below have been linked with | | | | withdrawal symptoms by providing nicotine externally. |
| passive smoking. | | | | This measured intake of nicotine by way of nicotine |
| Cancer - About 3,000 cancer-related non smoker | | | | chewing gums, nicotine patches, nicotine tabs, lozenges, |
| deaths are directly attributed to passive smoking each | | | | nicotine nasal spray and inhalators, work well for some |
| year. | | | | people. At the same time these people are well |
| Heart Diseases - Approximately 50,000 non smoker | | | | protected from other harmful toxins present in |
| deaths occur from heart related issues and can be | | | | cigarette smoke. However, as NRTs provide nicotine, |
| linked to passive smoking. | | | | there is always a chance that person may become |
| Respiratory Diseases and Problems - Second hand | | | | re-addicted to nicotine. |
| smoke causes higher rates of lower respiratory | | | | Currently, nicotine-free drug for smoking cessation |
| infections, including bronchitis and pneumonia. It is also a | | | | such as Zyban (bupropion) and Chantix Varenicline |
| contributory factor for upper respiratory irritation and | | | | (known as Champix in Europe) are the most |
| infections as well as decreased lung function. | | | | advanced and the most preferred methods of quitting |
| Ear Infections - Passive smoking is accountable for an | | | | smoking. These treatment medications have been |
| increased number of ear infections. | | | | approved by the FDA as effective smoking cessation |
| Low Birth Weight - Second hand smoke is responsible | | | | drugs. But, Chantix is preferred over Zyban as it not |
| for 10,000 low birth weight births a year and is a major | | | | only provides relief from nicotine withdrawal symptoms |
| factor for many infant deaths. | | | | but also reduces the pleasure derived from smoking. |
| Asthma - Second hand smoke is responsible for | | | | Success rates are much higher with Chantix smoking |
| nearly 8,000 new cases of asthma annually. | | | | cessation drug as compared to that of Zyban smoking |
| Sudden Infant Death Syndrome - Passive smoking is | | | | cessation pill; but, both the drugs have their share of |
| related to nearly 2,000 cases of SIDS each year. | | | | side effects. While Chantix causes nausea, |
| Still births - Passive smoking is also accountable for an | | | | constipation, flatulence, insomnia, change in taste, |
| increased risk of still births and spontaneous abortions. | | | | increase in appetite, fatigue, dry mouth and bloated |
| What Problems Can Occur From Smoking? | | | | feeling, Zyban causes dry mouth, insomnia, changes in |
| Smoking is harmful and the dangers of smoking are | | | | appetite, agitation, headaches, jitters, skin rash and |
| serious. Tobacco smoke contains 43 cancer-causing | | | | seizures. |
| (carcinogenic) compounds besides 400 other toxins | | | | What are The Benefits of Quitting? |
| that include nicotine and tar. Nicotine is the addictive | | | | Benefits of smoking cessation treatments are manifold. |
| substance in tobacco and tar congests the lungs, | | | | You will begin to notice remarkable changes in your |
| inhibiting normal breathing. Additionally, smoking causes | | | | body. Your sense of smell and taste improve, you |
| lung and throat cancer, heart disease, emphysema, as | | | | breathe easier and your smoker's hack begins to |
| well as bronchial and lung disorders. | | | | disappear; the long range after-effects of quitting |
| Non smokers are also at risk of developing smoking | | | | actually signal the beginning of a healthier life. Most |
| related illnesses through passive smoking. A pregnant | | | | importantly, you improve your chances for a longer life |
| woman who smokes increases the chances of her | | | | because now you have a reduced risk from heart |
| baby dying from SIDS, being underweight and having | | | | disease, stroke, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and |
| behavioral problems. The world's leading cause of | | | | several kinds of cancers. |