Remedies on How to Stop Smoking

Reasons why you need to stop smoking?

• Smoking tobacco dramatically increases the risk of developing many diseases responsible for substantial majority of cases of lung cancer and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

• Most smokers die either from these disease or ischemic heart diseases.

• Smoking also causes cancer of the upper respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tracts, pancreas, bladder and kidney.

• There is a risk of peripheral vascular disease, Stroke, and peptic ulceration in chronic smokers.

• What is Passive smoking and why should You help your partner stop smoking?

Inhalation of smoke that comes from someone else’s smoking. Passive smoking is associated with the same array of diseases as actual smoking, with an elevated risk of lung cancer.

Methods for Smoking Cessation

1. Anti-smoking advice: Support from loved ones by encouraging them on reasons why they need to quit. call a friend or relative to get some support.

• Go for a brisk walk this will help clear you head and lungs.

• Stay busy by downloading the Smokefree apps or play a game on your mobile phone.

• Drink lots of water or juice.

• keep yourself occupied for those crucial few minutes.

• Change the scene by just moving to another room can help, or step outside and get some fresh air.

2. Anti-smoking support programme: this can be helpful when you meet up with other smokers like you and you motivate each other, they share their own life experiences on how they have been able to stop smoking or reduce the intake of tobacco.

3. Therapist: Sections with specialist can also help.

4. Recording Smoking status at a regular interval: this can be done by reducing the amount of cigarettes consumed on a daily basis. For example if you take 10 sticks daily, you can reduce to 5 daily for the first week and tepid down to 3 sticks for the second week and 1 for the 3rd week. This can help you to prevent withdrawal symptoms, till you are able to stop smoking completely.

5. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT): this is a drug that can be used with the above remedies( this can be used minimum of 8weeks).

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) gives your body nicotine without the harmful effects of smoking or chewing tobacco. The idea is to gradually reduce your addiction by using a low nicotine dose to take the edge off the cravings.

6. Other pharmacology methods include microtabs (small tablets), lozenges, nasal sprays and inhalators.

7. Champix (varenicline) is a tablet that helps you stop smoking by copying some of the effects of nicotine from cigarettes. It reduces withdrawal symptoms, including the urge to smoke. If you suffer any side effects such as agitation, speak to your healthcare professional as soon as possible.

8. Zyban (bupropion) is a tablet that reduces the withdrawal symptoms that you can experience when stopping. If you are taking any other medicines, tell your healthcare professional.

9. Speak to your doctor to help you decide which treatment or medicine is best for you.

  FAQS on Cessation of Smoking

• How will I feel when I quit?

• Quitting smoking can feel a little different for each person.  But here are some things you may notice:

• A hard time being around smokers

• Good days and bad days

• Withdrawal symptoms, such as being annoyed

• Breathing easier

• Things that challenge your motivation to keep going

• Cravings that are strong at first, but weaker with time

• A growing sense of success

• Will I gain weight or lose weight?

Some people do gain a few pounds when they quit smoking. But following a healthy eating plan and increasing physical activity will help you manage your weight. Even if you gain some weight after quitting, you can lose it later and you’ll still be healthier than when you were smoking.

• What are the Benefits from quitting smoking?

• Soon after you quit smoking, your body will receive more oxygen and you will notice you have more energy and feel a little less stressed.

• Your cough will go away, although for some it may take weeks as your lungs clean themselves by bringing up mucus.

• Your eyes and throat will feel less irritated.

• Your senses of taste and smell will improve.

• Your risk of heart attack and stroke drop quickly.

• Over time, you’ll have fewer colds and respiratory infections, and your body will repair some of the damage caused by smoking.  

• In the long run, you reduce your risk of lung cancer as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Can E-cigarette Help stop Smoking?

Using an e-cigarette, known as vaping, can help you manage your nicotine cravings. To get the best out of it, make sure you’re using it as much as you need to and with the right strength of nicotine in your e-liquid. You won’t get the full benefit from vaping unless you stop smoking cigarettes completely.