The Top Five Excuses Not To Quit Smoking Now - And How To Handle Them
By Lloyd Morgan
Have you ever resolved to quit smoking but decided the time wasn't right. Or perhaps worries such as gaining weight were holding you back?
You were experiencing the mind's wonderful ability to justify putting off an action seen as painful. For smokers the range of excuses is almost limitless. Here are the five most popular together with some ideas for handling them.
Smoking keeps me relaxed. Without cigarettes, I'd be a bundle of nerves.
Guess what? Smoking only relaxes you because you're addicted. If you're a non-smoker, which you can be in a few weeks, you don't need that 'relaxation'.
Nicotine cravings create stress and puffing on a cigarette relieves that stress. It's not real serenity, just a cycle of mood swings controlled by the level of nicotine in your body. Get rid of that and the accompanying illusion of relief and you can find real relaxation.
Smoking keeps my waistline trim.
Well, maybe. But at what cost? Other than the pernicious effects from inhaling hot tobacco smoke laden with poisons, many smokers light up instead of eating. This can lead to nutritional deficiencies. To make things worse, smoking itself depletes the body of nutrients. Smoking depletes the body of vitamins, especially vitamin c and bioflavinoids - the very nutrients that can protect you against the ravages of smoke.
The fact is that many people do put on some weight when they quit smoking. But this can be dealt with. Putting on a few pounds is far less damaging than continuing to smoke. And once the nicotine monster is slain, you can work on your figure. In fact many ex-smokers find their weight returning to normal after a period without cigarettes. Their bodies return to normal.
It's too late now. I've been a smoker for decades. It's part of my life.
It's never too late to quit. And smoking is never part of normal healthy life. The sooner you quit, the sooner your body starts to renew and revitalize itself, clearing out the accumulated sludge of years of abuse. No matter how long you've been smoking, after 24 hours of quitting, your body will be free of carbon monoxide. Your lungs are clearing out mucus and other debris. After a year, your risk of a heart attack will fall to half that of a smoker. And it gets better and better as time goes on.
But what about my social life? When I get together with my friends, we always have a smoke.
Unless you can persuade them to quit with you, you may have to avoid your smoking buddies for a while. And you'll have to make some lifestyle changes too. As part of your quit-smoking program you should identify the triggers and situations that make you light up and avoid then for a while. It's all part of the social habit component of smoking addiction. You don't have to become a hermit. Just advise your group of what you're doing and ask for their support and understanding.
It's a bad time right now. I've got a lot on. I don't need more stress. While it's true that you should choose a reasonably stress-free time to quit, don't let this make you procrastinate forever. All our lives are stressful with cigarettes or not, so understand that stress will come and find ways to deal with it without reaching for the cigarette pack. You should get a grab bag of techniques together to help you handle stress and craving before you quit. Always be prepared.
The fear of quitting smoking throws up a range of excuses that the smoker uses to justify continuing his habit. Understanding them can go a long way to helping you quit.
Lloyd Morgan is a writer on health matters and reformed smoker. For more tips to quit smoking please visit: smokefree.ampawan.com
Avoiding Allergy Medications With Children
By Deborah Mumm
Childhood Asthma - Getting Your Child Off Allergy Medications
A child with asthma and allergies may not know that asthma and allergies is the number #1 chronic childhood disease.
He also may not know that asthma claims more lives every year even though more treatments are available. It is a fact that there are over 3 million more Americans with asthma than there were 10 years ago. Why the rise in asthma and allergies?
With todays busier society, our house-cleaning standard have plummeted. We also have become a generation of 'couch potatoes'...spending over 95% of our time indoors. Our homes are tightly insulated and limit ventilation of household irritants such as mold, smoke and chemicals.
This all results in increased exposure to allergens. And allergens are the number one cause of allergy and asthma attacks. Allergy medications are being used on a daily basis as a way to control allergies & asthma. With children prevention of allergies is far better than taking allergy medications.
There are five simple things that can be done to reduce allergy symptoms and possibly reduce the use of allergy medications.
1) Never allow smoking in the home. Smoke will remain in an indoor environment for up to 10 years, even though you can no longer see or smell it.
2) Shoes should be taken off at the door to prevent allergens from being brought in on the shoes.
3) Use non-toxic cleaning products instead of store bought chemical brands. All cleaning products are eventually inhaled or absorbed into the skin. Do you really want to clean with even a 'little bit' of poison?
4) Do not let pets into the bedrooms. All pets have dander and it can be an allergen. Children spend around 8 hours in the bedroom at night. Keep it as allergy free as possible.
5) Make sure humidity levels in the home don't go over 45%. Humidifiers attached to the furnace are more reliable than freestanding ones. Humidifiers with damp filters in them can be a mold breeding area.
It is important to try to create a clean healthy environment for your child so he can breathe easy and not have to rely on allergy medications which can have negative side effects.
Deborah Mumm has been in the Indoor Air industry since 1996. She has written various articles on asthma, allergies
and indoor air pollution plus gives talks to teachers and small groups on the effects of indoor air pollution. Her web site offers products for a healthy home ~ http://www.healthy-environments.com She offers an e-book on tips to avoid allergy medications on her site.
The Reasons Behind Smoking
By Rob Mellor
There are very many reasons to it but in this article we will look over the biggest reason in today�s world and that is to release STRESS. So what is stress, can we get rid of it through smoking, if not then how can we get rid of it, lets look at the reason behind smoking.
Stress � What is it? Stress is the result of feeling helpless, incapable to perform, not able to meet the deadlines and pressurized. Stress could be due to any reason, be it down to pressure at the office, home or even a bad financial situation, or it could be due to anything your not happy with.
Can smoking get rid of it? Can we get rid of stress through smoking? Will smoking make us relax and even feel better about life? Well lets look at it like this, will smoking get you out of that bad financial situation or do your work for you at the office or even ease things at home. I don�t think so! Then why carry on smoking, it�s not going to cure the problems but just ease it for a few minutes at the very most.
So what do you do? Then what should I do in a stressful moment? The answer is to confront it head on. You need to find a long term solution to the problem. If you having financial trouble, go to the bank. Trouble at the office, see your boss. Don�t go to the shop and buy more cigarettes, they won�t sort the problem out long term. By confronting it head on you will ease your stress over time.
Don�t Smoke Smoking is bad for you. Smoking increases the chances of death due to lungs and breast cancer by a number of times. It wrecks the lungs during sports. One good way of easing stress for the short term is to do sport, it can control it way better than smoking can.
Tobacco the chemical contained in the cigar narrows the blood vessels and strains our heart. This gives you a larger risk of strokes and heart disease. If you haven�t stopped yet them you need go for a stress free way of stopping. That way you�ll not feel worse off than when you smoked.
Rob Mellor owns the http://www.quit-smoking-expert.com website helping normal people stop smoking in less than 40 minutes. Please visit the site for more information on our stop smoking program.
Shedding Light On Nicotine Cravings: What Is This Phenomenon Actually?
By Charles Greg
Whenever any discussion centers around cigarette smoking or the smoking of tobacco containing products, a particular chemical called nicotine is mostly blamed and the cravings for this harmful substance is termed as the chief cause behind the drastic increase of smokers across the world. But why are nicotine cravings too influential on smokers when they try to get rid of smoking addiction or stop smoking for a while? The answer lies in the functional mechanism of nicotine, the process through which nicotine acts on the body and makes an individual indelibly attached to cigarettes and other tobacco containing products.
The moment a person smokes cigarettes, nicotine enters into the blood and within an approximate time frame of seven seconds reaches the brain. There, inside the brain, the disastrous chemical substance nicotine attaches itself to the nicotine receptor cells and induces an irresistible pleasure feeling. As the body becomes accustomed to the overwhelming pleasure feeling of nicotine, it therefore becomes impossible to abstain from nicotine containing products like cigarettes.
And when an individual thinks that it is now time to release himself from the evil influence and accordingly tries to quit cigarettes for a few weeks, the sense of pleasure that he had earlier achieved through nicotine comes back to him again and again and with it, his cravings for nicotine grows stronger and stronger.
Unable to cope with nicotine cravings, the smoker who had quit smoking for a temporary period gets back to smoking again. Intake of nicotine containing products further results in the increased flow of the stimulating hormone, adrenaline in the person�s body and subsequently he falls prey to all the nicotine inflicted harms, especially an increase in heart rate, respiration and blood pressure becomes the norm.
But all the disaster and harm likely to be unleashed on the body on account of nicotine can be successfully averted by visiting the nearby doctor�s clinic and adopting an effective anti-smoking regimen in accordance with his instructions. If he recommends the Pfizer approved quit smoking medicine Chantix for you, you can easily opt for the drug and induce smoking cessation.
The author addresses issues related to anti-smoking, quit smoking and the anti-smoking medicine Chantix. For more details on these matters, visit the website http://www.chantixhome.com
How To Use Nicotine Gum Effectively
By Jared Mitchell
That Nicotine has a positive effect itself is a misnomer, however here it is true. There are good things that can be done with Nicotine gum, however odd it sounds. This is in line with the saying, �To catch a thief use a thief� or �Iron can only beat iron�. In order to quit smoking you take the use of the Nicotine chewing gum as this acts two fold. Firstly, it keeps your mouth busy (and your mind as well) and secondly it releases small quantities of Nicotine in the blood through the mouth blood vessels, which counteracts some of terrible withdrawal effects that chain smokers experience while trying to quit.
Using Nicotine chewing gum is a safe alternative � though it has been noticed that this can too be an addiction � because it �hits� the blood stream and brain much later than the smoking, which goes directly to the lungs where it is absorbed by the blood and reaches the brain almost immediately. Because of the delayed action, people using Nicotine gum will not be so much dependent on the �high� feel that the cigarette induces. They would rather concentrate on the mechanics of chewing the gum, that the effects of the Nicotine, making it easy to change to ordinary gum later and totally substituting the bad habit with a healthy one.
Nicotine chewing gum should be chewed like ordinary gums however. There is a �proper� way to use the Nicotine gum to have proper effects � you take the gum chew it a bit till it becomes soft and its peppery taste is released and then literally park it in your mouth between the cheek and teeth where it will release slowly the Nicotine it contains. Many people chew it like an ordinary gum and get bad stomach cramps, hiccups, and acidity with heartburn and even stronger cravings for cigarettes. This is why some people say the Nicotine gum does not work! Actually, the Nicotine should not go through the saliva and stomach � but through the blood vessels of the mouth to work well.
In order to have the Nicotine chewing gum work well avoid coffee and any acidic beverages like citric juices at least quarter an hour before you take it. The ingredients in these drinks totally interfere with the absorption of Nicotine. Be careful to use the gum as prescribed, i.e. have only as much as it is advised to have daily � no more no less � if you want to have the desired effects on your smoking habit. Those who eat too less invite the withdrawal symptoms effects while those who have too much will delay the quitting process.
Carefully monitor the changes in your smoke craving and as you find it diminishing reduce the number of Nicotine chewing gum pieces as well. Ensure always that you have support from your family and friends while quitting smoking as this acts as a tremendous control in your temptation to go back �just once�. You may also use the hotline which helps people who want to quit do so. Most of the Nicotine chewing gums will have the hotline number of such a help centre on it. Make full use of it and keep yourself informed of what needs to be done when to enforce your quitting decision.
Do not stop until you succeed.
Jared Mitchell publishes articles on behalf of the team at Quit Smoking Articles. Updated regularly our team of experts research and write articles related to current quit smoking issues. Visit us for the latest quit smoking articles and resources.
Use Nicotine Gum to help alleviate the withdrawal symptoms of quitting today.
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Cigar Smoke
By Eddie Tobey
Cigar smoking is considered much less harmful to the health than cigarette smoking. In recent times, a lot of cigarette smokers who have shifted to smoking cigars believe that it has less health risks, although this has not been proved scientifically. It is widely assumed so, because cigars are considered to have less content of tobacco than cigarettes.
However, it is proven that most of these popular beliefs are incorrect. Although people recognize cigar smoking as being more 'civilized' and 'cultured' and less hazardous than cigarette smoking, the fact remains that a single large cigar can contain as much tobacco as an entire pack of cigarettes. The secondhand smoke that it gives off and that others breathe in can fill a room for hours. While the reasons people smoke cigars are mottled, the fact is that cigars, like cigarettes, can become addictive. Nicotine is the substance in tobacco that causes addiction, and most cigars have as much nicotine as several cigarettes. When cigar smokers inhale cigar smoke, nicotine is absorbed as rapidly as with cigarettes. For those who do not inhale the smoke, it is still absorbed more slowly through the lining of the mouth.
Cigar smoke just like the smoke of cigarettes increases the smoker's risk of death from several cancers including cancer of the lung, oral cavity, esophagus and larynx. If the smoke is inhaled, cigar smoking appears to be associated with cancer of the pancreas and bladder, as well.
Therefore, most assumptions that cigar smoke is safer than cigarette smoke is quite a hoax, and it pays to avoid the addiction instead of battling the consequence later on. Cigar smoke can also affect those around smokers, and can prove to be fatal for those in close association to the cigar smoker.
Cigars provides detailed information on Cigars, Cigar Humidors, Cuban Cigars, Discount Cigars and more. Cigars is affiliated with Cigarette Coupons.
Important Details About A Smoke Air Purifier
By Tom Turner
So many of us live with someone who smokes or may even smoke themselves. Wherever we go, whether to the department store, grocery store or even our own homes, it is virtually impossible to stop the smell of smoke from attaching itself to either your clothes or furniture, walls, etc. A smoke air purifier is designed for this very purpose. This article will look at ways to rid your home of smoke while investigating possible solutions to cleaner air and living in a healthier environment.
With the growing number of smokers these days, especially in our teens, allergies and asthma are much more common and life threatening. Did you know that second hand smoke has up to 40 substances contained in it that are known to cause cancer in humans as well as animals? Whether you smoke or not, just being around someone who does, can cause you to smell like smoke yourself and also cause you to bring it into your home. You may have shook hands or touched something the smoker touched or even absorbed it into your clothes as well as inhaled the second hand smoke. At any rate, it is almost impossible to avoid these things from happening outside the home, but inside the home a smoke air purifier can help to cut down or eliminate what you may have brought into your home.
Smoke can and will attach itself to not only your outside body, but also be absorbed into your skin; thus effecting your health. Smoke will also be absorbed into your furniture and walls; therefore providing you with a nonhealthy environment. You can use a smoke air purifier in your home, office or personal vehicle to help create a cleaner breathing environment. Some smoke air purifiers can eliminate up to 100% of the allergens caused by smoke. If you are an allergy sufferer, you can see the need for the use of some type of air purifier. If we really understood how bad second hand smoke was to a non smoker, I believe every home would have some type of smoke air purifier; especially if there are children in the home.
As awareness turns into need, I believe a smoke air purifier will become a household fixture as well as a refrigerator or stove. It could be that most people are aware, but maybe haven't taken the steps yet to look into some type of air purifier. I wonder why it is, that most of us wait until it's either too late, or have the idea, better late than never, when we could have had a better quality of life. A smoke air purifier could add years to your life by just creating a cleaner environment so what are you waiting for?
For more information on Air Cleaners and Purifiers for your home or business visit http://air-cleaners-and-purifiers.com today, a website that specializes in providing helpful tips, advice and Air Cleaners and Purifiers resources to include Smoke Air Purifier.
Protecting Your Home Both Inside and Out
By Boyd Norwood
If you are a parent, you have probably wondered at one time or another, what more you can do to protect your children and yourself, not only physically but emotionally, mentally, spiritually etc. Today many parents and families are discouraged. They perceive, and even experience first hand a disturbing lack of basic civility and community respect. This disregard of the �protective virtues� often leads to anxiety and fear. Those who disregard civility and respect demean those who take the time to work hard for their homes and their assets. They also demean those who work hard to maintain elevated ideas and standards within their homes. If you are a parent, don�t let negative trends discourage you. Stay proactive and protect your home both inside and out.
Protect Your Home on the Outside
In regards to protecting your physical home, the steps are fairly simple. The installation of home security systems, motion detectors, heat detectors, and the like are obvious ways to protect your home. Windows security is also essential. It is most common for prowlers to enter through unsecured windows. This tendency towards �window weakness� can be strengthened with wireless windows security sensors or with windows security motion detectors. Other less expensive windows security tactics include planting thorny bushes beneath lower level windows, setting lights near or above every window, and investing in a dog or �beware of dog� decals.
Note: In case of fire, heat detectors or smoke alarms are inexpensive and essential for a secure home. Wireless heat detectors or smoke alarms are also available.
Protect Your Home on the Inside
Surprisingly enough, protecting a home on the inside is often the most difficult part of protecting families. Concerned parents often worry about the effects of offensive media and pornography. In regards to pornography, the following quote can be found at lds.org: �Pornography has become a serious problem in our society. The effects of pornography have resulted in an increase of sexual abuse and exploitation of children and women, broken marriages and families, and an increase in violent crimes and addictive behaviors.�
On a more personal level, G.B. Hinckley, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, states the following, �Pornography, with its sleazy filth, sweeps over the earth like a horrible, engulfing tide. It is poison. Do not watch it or read it. It will destroy you if you do. It will take from you your self-respect. It will rob you of a sense of the beauties of life. It will tear you down and pull you into a slough of evil thoughts and possibly evil actions. Stay away from it. Shun it as you would a foul disease, for it is just as deadly" (Source: lds.org, or the Ensign, Nov. 1997, 51).
Shunning pornography and other offensive material can be accomplished first by discussing with children what the consistent standards are and will be within your home. Children will often be the first to offer helpful suggestions and assist in the creation of standards, rules, etc. Allow your children to participate in discussions which touch on all aspects of home security, windows security, and security which protects them from harmful media or pornography. Let them know you have a plan and would welcome their opinions. They may even know friends or families who have already suffered from the damaging effects of media and pornography and will be surprisingly accepting of the rules established within your home. Second, TV and Internet filters such as those provided by contentwatch.com help children avoid uncomfortable situations---whether they were, or were not looking for them.
Protecting a home both on the inside and out requires proactive parents. Invest in home security/windows security and take the time to talk with your children about offensive media and pornography.
About the Author: Boyd Norwood is a web content specialist for 10x Marketing in Orem, UT. For more questions in regards to basic home security or for additional windows security tips, please visit alarmoneinc.com.
Send Off Smoking With These Valuable Tips
By Clarissa Hogart
In spite of all know-how about the unhealthy effects of smoking, it has become one of the fashion tools in current society. But, once you are cognizant about how detrimental it is, the first thought that comes to your mind is, �QUIT!� Well, it sounds easy but for smokers it is one of the most difficult jobs to carry out. To ease your determination some really effective & �easy to apply� tips are given below. Incorporate them into your routine & live a healthy life after quitting smoking.
- Jot down all the reasons for quitting smoking. Always keep them with you. Whenever your urge for smoking rises refer to them.
- Decide to stop completely rather than gradual withdrawal. Have a strong will towards a healthy life & try to kill your appeal for smoking. So it�s better to set a date & stick to your quitting mission.
- You can get great support from your family in quitting. Tell everybody about your resolution.
- A 'team' effort may prove easier than doing it alone. Try to get other people in surroundings & stop smoking at the same time.
- Say good bye to ashtrays, lighters, and all cigarettes you already have.
- Set your mind for few withdrawal symptoms like nausea, headaches, discomfort, craving, and just feeling awful. Since your body has been habituated to the dosages of nicotine for its normal functioning, so these symptoms may whip you up for smoking. Stay determined as if the occurrence of symptoms is nothing for a strong person like you. These symptoms tend to hit you after 12-24 hours and then gradually ease over 2-4 weeks.
- Look forward to tough cough symptom. It has been found that �smokers cough' gets worse when you stop smoking. This hard-hitting symptom tends to tempt you to restart smoking. Stand firm to this temptation! The cough usually gradually eases.
- Avoid every place or situation for the first few weeks that tempts you to smoke. Most commonly, drinking is associated with smoking. Try not to drink too much alcohol to stimulate your smoking desire. Stay away from pubs for a few weeks. Try to change your choices of coffee and tea with fresh juices and plenty of water.
- Mark off each successful day on a calendar. This will motivate you not to start all over again.
- You will feel the changes in you after a few days. You will smell better & enjoy your food more. Say with poise that you don�t smoke.
- Put the money in a piggy bank you used t o spend on cigarettes whenever you have an urge again. See, how much money you can spend on treats rather than wasting on smoking.
- You may be doubtful about the increase in weight. Well, anticipate an increase in appetite, but avoid fatty or sugary foods as snacks. Take a crack at sugar-free gum and fruit instead.
- Don�t lose your heart if you fail. Be particular about the more difficult times when you couldn�t resist. Try to be stronger next time with a will to win.
- Seek the help of Stop Smoking Clinics when the need arises.
Remember that quitting may be difficult for you but is not altogether impossible. Thousands of positive outcomes are enough to keep you motivated and away from cigarettes. Start your mission now if you are still thinking over. Stop thinking; throw away this last cigarette without taking even the last puff and inch your way towards a healthy life.
The author addresses issues related to the causes of smoking, its consequences and the anti-smoking drug Chantix. To know more on these topics, visit the website http://www.chantixhome.com
What Are The Possible Causes Of Snoring?
By Mike Herman
Are you a snorer and you don't know why you snore or what the causes of snoring are?
Knowing exactly what the causes of snoring are is the first step in treating your problem. Your snoring may be caused by any of the wide range of reasons from physical causes, and underlying diseases to lifestyle choices.
Snoring is a relatively common occurrence with as many as 40% of all adult Americans snoring if not nightly, then a few times each week.
Besides being harmful, and potentially very serious, to the person who snores, snoring also causes difficulties with with your spouse, significant other and family members, at times even leading to divorce.
What causes snoring? Snoring is caused by an obstruction to the free flow of air through the sinuses cavities at the back of the mouth and nose. In this area, you can find the soft part of the air passage, where the tongue and the back of the throat meet the soft palate and the uvula (the uvula is the little piece of flesh that hangs down in the back of the throat and the soft palate).
* The Bigger Causes of Snoring *
Weak and poorly toned muscles in the throat and the tongue are one of the major causes of snoring. When the muscles in the throat are too relaxed, the tongue, or other muscles may, can fall into the airway causing obstruction or blockage of the airway, and consequently, a snoring problem results.
� A major cause of weak throat muscles, the tongue and other problems is obesity or being overweight. Obese people have fatty tissues that are deposited in the neck and areas of the throat. This weight of the neck area and the fatty tissue deposits put pressure on the airway, especially when laying down. Also, when sleeping, the throat muscles relax, and they may buckle under the weight of fatty tissues and weight of the neck.
� Your muscles also can be relaxed when drinking alcohol, as it is a depressant that makes all of your muscles relax. If you snore it's best to have your last drink four - six hours before you go to bed. I
� It is also known certain medications, such as anti-histamines and sleeping pills, have been shown to muscle relaxants, as alcohol.
� In addition it is well known that smokers have a very high possibility of being a snorer's. Smoking affects the airways and sinuses causing swelling in the membranes of the nose and the tissues of the throat. It also damages the small vessels of the lungs by blocking them. The nicotine itself also can cause sleep disruptions that can increase the nightly snoring.
� Unfortunately, a snoring problem can also be traced to your genes. Our ancestors pass on a trait that may result in you inheriting a narrow throat, which can be a big problem when it comes to proper breathing. If you mother or father snore you inherit a greater chance of snoring.
� A lot of people who have more moderate snoring issues only do so when sleeping on their backs. An easy adjustment for this would be to learn to sleep on your side.
� A pillow increases the angle of your neck, which can lead to airway obstruction, and coincidentally, a snoring issue. There are "special" pillows that can help you.
* A Couple of Other Causes of Snoring *
� Allergies may account for another reason that someone snores. When faced with allergens, maybe the pollen count is high, nasal congestion can occur in an allergic person. This restricts the airway and can result in snoring. Remember what I mentioned above, anti-histamines are also a possible cause of snoring, so it is best to take a nasal decongestant for any allergen troubles before sleep.
� Your diet. Especially milk and milk related products create mucus and cause congestion both in your sinus and your throat.
There are a other causes to snoring as well, these are simply some of the more common reasons and all can be controlled and managed, allowing you not to snore at all.
If none of these symptoms seem like they are what is affecting you, you should speak with your doctor as their may be serious underlying problems.
Snoring seems like a harmless problem, but it can wreak havoc on your sleep cycles and even cause such complications as heart problems and strokes if left untreated.
Get Information and The Tips You Need to Help You Stop Snoring That You Can Research In Your Pajamas At Stop-Your-Snoring-Today.com
Varenicline: A Cure for Smoking -Or a Smokescreen?
By Sara C
One of the holy grails of the pharmaceutical industry is to design a drug that would cure or, otherwise significantly reduce nicotine cravings i.e. cure smoking. There are 48 million smokers in the U.S. and 45 million of them would, surely, give anything to quit. So, to conquer that market would mean immeasurable wealth to the victor. With this in mind, there is a potential blockbuster drug currently making its way through the regulatory hurdles that shows promise: Varenicline.
There are as many treatments for smoking as there are brands of cigarettes. These include patches, gums, lozenges, hypnosis, acupuncture and even an anti-depressant, Zyban. Zyban wasn't originally developed as a smoking cessation drug but as a treatment for depression. A side effect was observed- people on this drug smoked less. It has been moderately successful.
Most over-the-counter treatments involve the slow weaning of the patient from nicotine, while this new drug, Varenicline, attempts to block the receptors in the brain that trigger the cravings in the first place. A novel solution, it seems, to a perplexing problem.
As a smoker and having tried everything, I am currently most satisfied with my Commit lozenges. Ultimately though, these lozenges merely replace smoking as my preferred method of ingesting nicotine - something my lungs, but not my pocketbook are quite appreciative of. Now, I would have no problem continuing with these lozenges, but they are quite expensive and do nothing to end my addiction. I was hoping that this new drug, Varenicline, would allow me to kick the habit for good.
Well, the study results are in and here they are:
22% -- smoking abstinence rate after 1 year of patients given Varenicline
16% -- smoking abstinence rate after 1 year of patients given Zyban
8% --- smoking abstinence rate after 1 year of patients given a placebo
Hardly earth shattering numbers was my initial response. There barely seems a difference between Zyban and Varenicline � 1 out of 6 quitting for Zyban vs. 1 out of 5 for Varenicline. It�s too early to draw any conclusions, but it does initially appear, that we might have to wait awhile longer for the elusive smoking cure to be as simple as swallowing a pill.
Meanwhile, it�s off to the drugstore I go, for some more Commit.
Hopefully, it�s on sale.
Sara writes articles for Schmeg.com
Visit her at: Chestnut Creek Gift Baskets|Happy Candles
New Years Resolution - I Want to Quit Smoking, Naturally!
By Judy Phillips
I can�t tell you how many people contact me right after the New Year and want to quit smoking. Most of them tell me they are not sure how or why they ever got started, but they want to stop. They tell me that they don�t like the smell or that smoking makes their teeth and fingers yellow, but most of all what it is doing to their health. It is no secret that it deteriorates the heart and lungs, increases the aging process and amplifies your chances of getting cancer.
Many make numerous unsuccessful attempts at quitting and are ready to gain knowledge of how to end their habit and regain strong lungs naturally and permanently. These are some of the questions and answers that may help you get over the hump and on to bigger and better things. <
�Can I quash the harm that I have done to my body after smoking all this time?�
Absolutely! Your body is extremely dynamic and can mend once you cease smoking. As a matter of fact, in only one to three months after quitting, you will notice an improvement in your circulation and lung performance by 30%. Additionally, after 2-9 months, you will experience a recovery from coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath. If you stay clean for at least 10 years, studies indicate that your chances of contracting cancer will be diminished by 50%. If you add healthy living and time, your lungs will eventually recuperate.
�What mode of lifestyle changes will assist me?�
It is imperative that you recognize your linked activities and redirect your attention. For instance, most people relate smoking with particular occasions, such as cup of coffee, after a meal, drinking alcohol or talking on the phone. You need to alter this routine. Go for a walk after a meal, drink a cup of green tea while on the phone and maybe add a hobby to re-direct your attention. Of course, getting rid of all your smoking paraphernalia such as lighters, ashtrays, matches and cigarettes is paramount�and a given.
Is there anything I can do to stop those annoying cravings?�
The nicotine in cigarettes incites the brain�s norepinephrine and serotonin systems. This amplifies the dopamine and generates pleasurable sensations. To combat this, you may want to utilize the amino acids tyrosine, tryptophan and 5-HTP (hydroxytryptophan, a derivative of tryptophan), which perform in the same way and can be used as a temporary interventions during your difficult times. You can find these supplements at your local health food store. In my article on substance abuse and addiction, I wrote about an herbal tincture called lobelia (lobelia inflate), which is an herb that falls into the same alkaloid family as nicotine. There is also a homeopathic remedy called Daphne indica that can assist you with cravings�especially after eating a meal. Lastly, there are some authorities that feel that acupuncture sessions (six sessions within a 2-week period) that work on the central nervous system is effective at alleviating cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Likewise, hyp nosis is akin to acupuncture.
�What supplements, herbs and exercises can I incorporate into my life to improve my health once I have quit?�
I recommend a high-quality multi-vitamin such as Life Extension�s Mix Caps, especially during the first six months after quitting. I like it because it has everything (including B vitamins) to help the body recover and rid itself of nicotine dependence. It also contains antioxidants that help repair tissue that is often damaged in smokers� lungs, improve the nervous system and boost immunity. I also strongly urge you to add a good group of adaptogens to aid in combating the stress and anxiety associated with quitting. The results of quitting are usually difficult to predict, and depression is amazingly common. Jash Botanicals has Mood Mender to offer for just that problem. Finally, a good, clean fish oil assists in lung recovery by reducing inflammation. As far as exercises are concerned, obviously any exercise at all is great; but exercises that concentrate on the lungs are excellent. Yoga and breathing in the form of qigong expand the lung capacity and help to accelerate the healing process.
�What type of diet would help someone who wanted to quit?�
As I mentioned above, it is important to have a diet plentiful in antioxidants. That means that adding tons of fresh fruits and veggies is highly recommended. Fruits that have a lot of juice, such as melons and pears are especially helpful. It is interesting to note that in Chinese medicine, smoking is considered to be a habit that creates dry heat in the lungs. This may cause coughing and lung damage, so it is critical that the individual eat juicy fruits in large amounts to nourish the lungs and help restore function and balance. In addition to the above, I recommend two other items that are extremely helpful. The first is owning a good juicer, so that you can make yourself a glass of fresh juice that is jam-packed full of live enzymes that will assist with the healing process. Lastly, is the next best thing to fresh fruits and vegetables� Juice Plus+ฎ None of us get enough of the real thing, so I recommend taking this as part of a regular regime-- Juice Plus+ฎ provides the nutritional essence of 17 different fruits, vegetables, and grains in convenient and inexpensive capsule form.
Judy Phillips is the founder of Jash Botanicals, a manufacturer of physicians grade herbal extracts and medicinals. A naturopath and herbalist with over 25 years of experience, her passion for producing herbal formulas of exceptional purity and strength grew from a dissatisfaction with mainstream herbal products. She is an author of various natural health topics, from detoxification to dietary modification, and works to assist the expansion of knowledge to individuals in search of natural treatments. JashBotanicals.com offers a wide range of informative articles, including a monthly newsletter and a natural health blog.
