Quitting Smoking

Poll

	|   |

Author:
Christopher Ruane

If you are a smoker it's hard to convince yourself that smoking cigarettes is NOT good for you, especially if you enjoy your cigarettes. Unfortunately for smokers medical research is convincing enough to believe it is always top of the list as a main contributory factor towards coronary artery disease.

Facts and Figures about Smoking!

Carbon monoxide and nicotine are probably the most dangerous substances in tobacco smoke affecting the heart as...

* Nicotine stimulates the body to produce adrenaline which makes the heart beat faster and encourages the build-up of cholesterol deposits in arteries more quickly.

* Carbon monoxide attaches to red pigment in the blood, called haemoglobin, thus reducing its ability to carry oxygen to the heart and all other parts of the body. Also nicotine and carbon monoxide may both encourage thrombosis (blood clotting).

* If you smoke you stand a greater chance of having a heart attack.

* Cigarette smoking is a major cause of disease in the arteries of the leg, which can lead to pain on walking (Claudication) and further complications.

* Filter cigarettes are just as dangerous for the heart as plain cigarettes.

If you have just had a heart attack, it is particularly important to stop smoking, as this will halve the chances of another attack.

Passive or involuntary smoking is when non-smokers inhale other people's smoke; it can be as harmful as if you actually smoked a cigarette therefore passive smoking should be avoided as much as possible. Heavy passive smoking can be very harmful to those who suffer with angina or heart disease and should be totally avoided.

Most smokers accept the risk, and they hope to get away with it! Unfortunately heart patients haven't got away with it and for them to continue smoking is to deliberately cause further damage. Giving up, is the first step , and a healthier heart means a much healthier and happier you and your family.

Some tips to help you quit smoking.

* First and foremost, set a quit date and quit COMPLETELY on that day, * Identify the times you are most likely to smoke. For example, do you tend to smoke when feeling stressed? When you are out at night with friends? While you are drinking coffee? When you are bored? While you are driving? Etc.

* Keep a diary to help you determine these risky times. Record each time you have a cigarette, including time of day and what you are doing.

* Make a plan about what you'll do instead of smoking at the times you are most likely to smoke. For example, drink tea instead of coffee; tea may not trigger the desire for a cigarette. Or, take a walk when feeling stressed. Remove ashtrays and cigarettes from the car. * Pretend smoke with a straw! * Let all of your friends, family, and co-workers know of your plan to stop smoking and your quit date. Just being aware that they know can be a helpful reminder and motivator.

* Prior to your quit date, start reducing your cigarette use, including decreasing the number and strength of the cigarettes. * Get rid of all of your cigarettes just prior to the quit date and clean out anything that smells like smoke, such as clothes and furniture.

Other tips that help you stay quit include:

* Enrolling in a smoking cessation programme (hospitals, health departments, community centres, and work sites frequently offer this type of programme). * Ask your health care provider for help, they may think medication is appropriate for you.

* Find out about nicotine patches, gum, and sprays. * Try hypnosis (It works for some people).

* Avoid smoke-filled settings and situations in which you are more likely to smoke. * Exercise helps to relieve the urge to smoke.

Manhealth is a site that offers advice for malehealth. Get professional knowledge on dealing with symptoms, drug side effects and improving your life! Visit http://www.1st-for-manhealth.com today! Christopher Ruane







About the author:

The author has worked in the health care sector for 15+ years

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Smoking... Start Smoking Now! Remember the Marlboro guy? You don't see those sorts of ads promoting tobacco products on TV anymore. Back in the day, it used to be cool to smoke. Today we know, more than ever, the many health problems that are associated with smoking a tobacco product. It is finally being seen as a bad habit, perhaps a socially unacceptable one by a few. But, why do so many people start smoking then? Each year millions of people will light their first cigarette. Will it be you this year? Why We Smoke Fitting in- In many schools, smoking is a large problem. Yes, it is still peer pressure that forces many teens to light up. Whether caused by the bully or the "come on, are you cool or not?" routine, smoking still happens quite a bit in those younger years. The best way to prevent your child from smoking is to talk to them about what it is, what it does to them, and the need to avoid it in the first place. The partner does it- This is another large reason why people begin smoking in their young adult years. As they begin to date and hang around a group of people, they may just learn to smoke. Even if the non-smoking partner is never asked to take a smoke, it often happens that he/she gives it a try. At other times, people start it because it's easier to make conversation at bars or clubs. Stress relief- Many people know that those who are smoking are relieving stress through it. So, if your life gets overloaded with anxiety and worry, maybe smoking a pack will help you to deal with it. Atleast that's how many individuals start smoking. Like other addictions, these feelings simply serve as a short-term escape from reality. All of these reasons to start smoking do not have any real merit. After all, who really believes that it is cool to...