Quit Smoking
Quit smoking how? Well, every smoker has a reason to smoke. People who frequently smoke their loved ones want them to quit smoking; though it is difficult for a smoker to quit, but not impossible.
Cigarette smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths among Americans, but quitting can be intimidating. It will take a long time to see improvements in health and well-being, but you will see real benefits faster. When an individual quits smoking, their body starts to heal instantly. Individuals may soon experience the effects of quitting smoking; their blood pressure reduces, lowering the risk of lung and heart cancer.
Quitting cigarettes breaks the addiction cycle and signals the brain to stop craving nicotine. The sooner you quit, the faster you reduce your risk of severe health conditions. One may begin to experience the benefits of quitting smoking as little as an hour after the last cigarette and continue improving. Scientists have found links between smoking and numerous health conditions, including stroke, heart disease, cancer, and lung disease. The side effects of quitting smoking can be extreme for some people. Many individuals develop flu-like symptoms when they are going through the withdrawal phase. This is because smoking has a direct impact on almost every body system. But these side effects are temporary.
When you decide to quit, your body must adjust to not having nicotine. Researchers show that, with the right approach, it is possible to break this unhealthy chain and kick the bad habit once and for all. There are different ways to quit smoking that help you resist the urge to smoke or use tobacco when cravings hit. One can consult a healthcare expert to find the best way to quit smoking. Your healthcare provider may suggest certain medicine to quit smoking that decreases cravings and other withdrawal symptoms.
What happens when you smoke?
When a smoker inhales, the nicotine in the inhaled smoke reaches the brain via the bloodstream in seconds. It also quickly reaches muscle tissue, and a range of physical reactions take place, including the following:
Smoking affects many parts of the body, both inside and outside. Some of the effects happen straight away, and others take longer.
Stop Smoking Treatments:
Many different methods have successfully helped people to quit smoking, including:
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT):
Nicotine is a highly addictive drug, and the nicotine in cigarettes makes it addictive. Nicotine replacement therapy releases nicotine into the blood steadily and much slower. NRT comes in different forms, including:
– Chewing gum (Nicotine gum is a type of chewing gum that delivers nicotine to the body. It is used as an aid in NRT. Gum should not be used less than 15 minutes after eating or drinking, as this will reduce absorption. Users are directed to chew the gum until it softens, producing a tingling or "peppery" taste. The gum is then "parked" or tucked between the cheek and gums. When the tingling ends, the gum is chewed again until it returns and re-parked in a new location).
– Inhalators, which look like plastic cigarettes through which nicotine is inhaled
– Tablets and lozenges, which you put under your tongue
Mouth spray Some smokers find it useful to combine NRT products. For example, smokers can do this by wearing the patches throughout the day and then using gum or an inhalator to help relieve a sudden craving for a cigarette. Most courses of NRT last eight to 12 weeks before you gradually reduce the dose and eventually stop. Most people stop using NRT within three months, although heavy smokers may need to use it longer.
Side effects:
– Skin irritation when using patches
– Nicotine is not good for pregnant women and their baby
– Irritation of the nose, throat or eyes when using a nasal spray
– Disturbed sleep, sometimes with vivid dreams
– Upset stomach
– Dizziness
Other available NRT includes gum, inhalers, and lozenges. Discuss with your healthcare provider what suits you best.
Non-Nicotine Medication:
Varenicline is one of the FDA-approved stop smoking medicines designed to help you quit smoking. It works by preventing nicotine from binding to receptors (parts of your brain that respond to nicotine), which prevents cravings and reduces the reinforcing effects of smoking.
One should try to quit smoking completely 7-14 days before the treatment. The quit smoking tablets should be taken for 12 weeks as recommended.
Varenicline should not be used by:
Associated side effects may include nausea and vomiting, headaches, insomnia, unusual dreams, increased appetite, constipation or diarrhoea, swollen stomach, slow digestion, flatulence, and drowsiness.
CBT is counselling or talking therapy that helps people change bad habits. It is most recommended for people with anxiety and depression and useful for other mental and physical health issues. CBT helps you deal with problems more positively by breaking them into smaller parts. Counsellors and other healthcare experts show how to change these negative patterns to improve your feelings. CBT aims to improve your state of mind daily.
The bottom line
The benefits of stopping smoking are numerous; several tips to quit smoking can help. Your doctor may recommend medications to reduce cravings, while a few lifestyle modifications can boost motivation. Choose a no smoking zone/area to stay determined. Varenicline, nicotine replacement patches, and other aids to help quit smoking are available online at a very low price.
Stop smoking products are divided into two classes:
– Nicotine replacement therapy-
– Oral medications
The FDA approves seven medications to help you break your nicotine addiction. Some over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapies include nicotine gum, patches, and lozenges. Prescription nicotine replacement therapies include the nicotine inhaler and nicotine nasal spray. There are also two non-nicotine prescription medicines, namely Varenicline and Bupropion, that can help you quit.
The FDA has approved some medicines to help you quit smoking. These include bupropion, nicotine gum, nicotine inhaler, nicotine patch, nasal spray, nicotine lozenges, and Varenicline.
Counselling, social support, and quitting smoking medications are scientifically proven to help people quit for good. Counselling and quitting smoking when used in combination is even more effective than either of them using alone.
Two quit-smoking medicines have been approved for use: Varenicline and bupropion. These are prescription-only drugs that the doctor must prescribe. Numerous research studies have shown the effectiveness of bupropion and Varenicline. Talk to your healthcare specialist to find the best quit-smoking tablet for yourself.
Varenicline, bupropion, nicotine gum, nicotine patch, nicotine inhaler, nicotine lozenge, nicotine inhalers, and nicotine nasal sprays are some options that help people quit smoking.
Nicotine replacement therapy works by replacing some nicotine you get from cigarettes, so you don’t feel as uncomfortable after quitting smoking. It also helps lessen the uncomfortable feelings when you stop receiving nicotine from cigarettes.
You can take Varenicline a week before quitting cigarettes. Or you can start the treatment and then choose a date within four weeks to quit. Bupropion is taken a week before you plan to stop smoking.
Yes, Varenicline helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It has a direct impact on the brain; works by reducing the physical effects of nicotine.