Tag Archives: Smoking and pregnancy

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Secondhand smoking effects on pregnancy

February 9, 2017
Secondhand smoking effects

Secondhand smoking effects on pregnancy is no different to direct smoking, The effects are all the same

Secondhand smoking effects on pregnancy: Nicotine addiction

Secondhand smoking is also known as passive smoke or environmental tobacco smoke which is the mixture of smoke from a burning cigarette and smoke exhaled by a smoker. The burning smoke at the end of a cigarette or cigar normally has more harmful substances like tar, carbon monoxide, nicotine, and others than the smoke inhaled by the smoker making secondhand smoking effects on pregnancy to be the concern for all of us. Professionally, doctor Dalal Akoury MD, President, and founder of AWAREmed health and wellness resource center reiterates that pregnant women should not subject themselves to secondhand smoke because this will put them at risk of stillbirth, miscarriage, tubal pregnancy, underweight baby on delivery and many other pregnancy complications. The dangers of secondhand smoke is so high that even the young children must not be exposed as this may cause them to develop allergies, asthma, lung and ear infections and also increases the risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Babies and children exposed to secondhand smoke may also develop asthma, allergies, more frequent lung and ear infections, and are at higher risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Secondhand smoking effects on pregnancy: Quitting smoking before or during pregnancy

Cigarette smoking is one of the most difficult addiction problems to deal with. Those addicted to smoking often find themselves relapsing regularly though this is not an indication of impossibility, you can quit successfully. Because of the challenges experienced while trying quitting, many smoking cessation programs have been established to help you stop. The journey will not be easy and you may want to schedule an appointment with doctor Akoury to help you prepare for the journey appropriately. And as you consider that the following are some hints to help you kick out smoking:

  • Keep away all the possible triggers like matches, lighters, and ashtrays.
  • Make it a rule that your home is a non-smoking area and ensure it is adhered to.
  • Request those who smoke to excuse themselves when they want to smoke so that they do not smoke around you.
  • Drink fewer caffeinated beverages as this may stimulate your urge to smoke. Also avoid alcohol, as it may also increase your urge to smoke and can be harmful to your baby.
  • Refrain from all habits connected with smoking. If you smoked while driving or when feeling stressed, try other activities to replace smoking.
  • Keep mints or gum preferably sugarless on hand for those times when you get the urge to smoke.
  • Stay active to keep your mind off smoking and help relieve tension: take a walk, exercise, read a book, or try a new a hobby.
  • Look for support from others. Join a support group or smoking cessation program.
  • Avoid smoking joints like bars or clubs, and smoking sections of restaurants.

Finally, with the hints above and the professional input from AWAREmed health center, your addiction problems will be corrected professionally. All we ask of you is to remain focus because challenges will be there but those should not discourage you into losing the focus.

Secondhand smoking effects on pregnancy: Nicotine addiction

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Freedom from addiction

Drug free pregnancy saves your baby from future addiction

September 16, 2016
Drug free pregnancy

Drug free pregnancy saves your baby from future addiction that is why we need to have a proper pregnancy plan to prevent very bad health complications throughout the pregnancy period.

Drug free pregnancy saves your baby from future addiction: Effects of drugs on the baby

For those pregnant women who are using drugs, there is no doubt that almost all drugs pass through the placenta to reach your baby and have some effect on them. It is important to note that drugs in your body will reduce the amount of oxygen reaching your baby. For that reason we want to focus our discussion in having a drug free pregnancy for the good health of your baby during and in the future. Early in pregnancy, some drugs may affect your baby’s development and as a result your baby may not grow as well as is expected in your uterus (womb). We all understand the significance of drug addiction and the life of the baby. This is not something that can be wished a way by all means. Talking to doctor Dalal Akoury we have realized that illegal drugs will cause problems later in your pregnancy, and as a matter of fact the use of such drugs can affect how well the placenta works.

With the presence of drugs in the system, the risk is the placenta may come away from the side of your uterus, sometimes causing severe bleeding a process known as placental abruption. Placental abruption is a serious condition and, because of the bleeding it causes, it can be life-threatening for you and your baby. Your baby may have withdrawal symptoms if you were taking drugs regularly during your pregnancy which may necessitate that the baby stay in hospital for a while so that nurses and doctors can check him or her for signs of withdrawal and give the right treatment.

Drug free pregnancy saves your baby from future addiction: What if I took drugs before being pregnant?

The common concern for many women is that what happens to them and their unborn children if they were taking drugs before becoming pregnant! It is actually true that many people take drugs as part of their social life. Besides if you took a drug without realizing you were pregnant on a one-off occasion, then you don’t have to worry because it’s very unlikely that it will have any effect on your baby. However, if illegal drugs are part of your life and as a result of that you have become an addict, it will be very important that you seek for help immediately to improve the outlook for you and your baby says doctor Akoury.

One of the most serious problems for your baby is withdrawal symptoms when she is born. Your baby will need special care in hospital if she has withdrawal symptoms. As she grows older, your child may have behavioral problems. Experts are yet to establish the effects about growth and intelligence but there are indications that these may also cause some effects both for you and the baby. Finally your life and that of your baby are priceless. You may be finding it difficult to face your addiction problem and so you hide and suffer in silence. This will not help, doctor Akoury founded AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center with you in mind. We have a team of experienced professionals waiting to help you face this giant before you. All you need to do on your part is to schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury and you will never regret making this decision.

Drug free pregnancy saves your baby from future addiction: Effects of drugs on the baby

 

 

 

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What will you become after quitting smoking

September 4, 2015

What will you become after quitting smoking: A non-smoker or an ex-smoker?

What will you become after quitting smoking

What will you become after quitting smoking? You will certainly regain your health and become more resistant to some of these complications that are associated with smoking.

What will you become after quitting smoking is full of great expectations and many at times our expectations often fail to materialize and we feel disappointed. While some of these “disappointments” are expected since the journey of recovery is never a smooth one, it normally doesn’t erase those expectations we once had. Therefore for a better understanding of this topic of discussion, we employ the expert services of professionals from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. This is an addiction treatment facility that was founded by doctor Dalal Akoury (MD) a well-respected addiction experts of more than two decades now. Together with her team of experts, she is going to help us understand more about this for a couple of articles that we are going to be posting on this platform. Doctor Akoury says that in order to appreciate what you will become after quitting smoking, it is first very important that we understand how to handle withdrawal symptoms and trigger when one decides to quit smoking in its entirely. And to do that, let us progress into the discussion by responding to the following questions:

What will you become after quitting smoking: Withdrawal symptoms which are associated with quitting smoking?

Like I had mentioned before, when one desires to start the journey of quitting smoking, such a person must be very committed, dedicated and make certain sacrifices because it will not be a smooth sailing. Being addictive the challenges will be many and difficult depending on the intensity and duration of usage. Therefore doctor Akoury registers that quitting smoking may cause certain short-term problems, especially for those who have smoked heavily for many years. These temporary changes can result in withdrawal symptoms and the following are some of the common withdrawal symptoms which are associated with quitting cigarette smoking:

  • Nicotine cravings (nicotine is the substance in tobacco that causes addiction).
  • Anger, frustration, and irritability.
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Weight gain.

Cigarette and smoking of other substance is something which has been under serious and intensive studies for a very long time now. From the various studies conducted professionally, it has been established that about half of the population of smokers report experiencing at least four withdrawal symptoms (such as anger, anxiety, or depression) when they quit. Besides these, other people have also reported other symptoms like dizziness, increased dreaming, and headaches. These are just but a few of the challenges that you are likely to meet from time to time. However doctor Akoury says that the good news is that there is much one can do to reduce cravings and manage common withdrawal symptoms. She adds that in the process of recovery even without medication, it is important to note that the withdrawal symptoms and other problems will often subside over time. It may also help to know that withdrawal symptoms are usually worst during the first week after quitting. From that point on, the intensity usually drops over the few weeks. However having said that, it is also very important to appreciate the diversity of people in responding to treatment, for sure everyone is different and unique meaning that some people may have withdrawal symptoms for several months after quitting and not just for a few weeks.

What will you become after quitting smoking: What are some of the triggers for smoking?

In addition to nicotine cravings, reminders in your daily life of times when you used to smoke may trigger you to smoke. Triggers many include different elements including the moods, feelings, places, or things you do in your daily life that turn on your desire to smoke. The following is a sample of some triggers that you need to be careful about:

  • Being around and hung out with smokers.
  • Starting the day.
  • Feeling stressed.
  • Being in a car.
  • Drinking coffee or tea.
  • Enjoying a meal.
  • Drinking an alcoholic beverage.
  • Feeling bored.

Knowing your triggers helps you stay in control because you can choose to avoid them or keep your mind distracted and busy when you cannot avoid them.

What will you become after quitting smoking: What can I do about nicotine cravings?

As a smoker, you get used to having a certain level of nicotine in your body. You can bring to control that level of nicotine by how much quantity of cigarette you smoke, how deeply you inhale the smoke, and the kind (or brand) of tobacco you use. Therefore when you quit, cravings develop the moment your body begins demanding for the missing units of nicotine since the body system is no longer getting the supply as it used to. Ordinarily this will take some time to break free from nicotine addiction and during this duration, a lot of determination and patient will be highly required of you. Also, when you see people smoking or are around other triggers, you may get nicotine cravings. Cravings are real. They are not just in your imagination. At the same time, your mood may change, and your heart rate and blood pressure may go up as well.

The urge to smoke will come and go. Cravings usually last only a very brief period of time. Cravings usually begin within an hour or two after you have your last cigarette, peak for several days, and may last several weeks. As the days pass, the cravings will get farther apart. Occasional mild cravings may last for 6 months. Finally the following are some tips you can apply in the management of cravings:

  • Always remind yourself that they will pass.
  • Keep distance and avoid situations and activities that you used to associate with smoking.
  • As a substitute for smoking, try chewing on carrots, pickles, apples, celery, sugarless gum, or hard candy. Keeping your mouth busy may stop the psychological need to smoke.
  • Try taking simple exercises like for instance you may take a deep breath through your nose and blow out slowly through your mouth. Do this repeated at least 10 times daily or whenever you crave for the stick.
  • Always consult with your doctor about nicotine replacement products or other medications. This is very important because in order to defeat all these challenges, professional input from the doctors will be very necessary and if you have no one to consult you can schedule foe an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today and she will be of great help to you.
What will you become after quitting smoking: A non-smoker or an ex-smoker?

 

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Secondhand smoke and nicotine addiction in pregnancy

June 26, 2015

Secondhand smoke and nicotine addiction in pregnancy: What is secondhand smoke?

Secondhand smoke and nicotine addiction in pregnancy

Secondhand smoke and nicotine addiction in pregnancy is as bad as smoking the cigarette for your health in pregnancy or even after

Secondhand smoke is the combination of smoke from the burning end of a cigarette and the smoke exhaled by smokers getting into the nostril of a non-smoker or third party. Non-smokers can be exposed to secondhand smoke in several ways and places including in homes, cars, at workplaces and public places such as bars, restaurants, and recreational settings. In the United States for example, the source of most secondhand smoke is cigarettes, followed by pipes, cigars, and other tobacco products. It is important to know that secondhand smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals. Hundreds of the chemicals are toxic and about 70 are known to cause cancer. And because nicotine in all these can be very devastating owing to the complications that come with it, it is only fear that we discuss the effects of secondhand smoke and nicotine addiction in pregnancy as one of the severe consequences that come with such addictions.

Secondhand smoke and nicotine addiction in pregnancy: Can secondhand smoke make me sick?

Doctor Akoury an expert in addiction and weight lose says that when it comes to nicotine, there is no threshold of safety. So long as one is receiving nicotine in his system mode of receipt notwithstanding any exposure to nicotine, whether through secondhand smoke or direct cigarette smoking nicotine is not friendly. So when you are around a person who is smoking, you inhale the same dangerous chemicals as the smoker. Breathing even a little secondhand smoke can be dangerous because it is all about nicotine and not how it got to your system. The dangers of inhaling secondhand smoke can cause serious health complications including lung cancer in nonsmoking adults. In the United States for example it is estimated that up to 3,000 adults die each year due to lung cancer from secondhand smoke exposure. And according to the U.S. Surgeon General, living with a smoker increases a nonsmoker’s chances of developing lung cancer by 20% to 30%.

Besides cancer, exposure to secondhand smoke can also cause coronary heart disease and have negative effects on your blood and blood vessels thereby increasing your risk of getting a heart attack. Heart diseases caused by secondhand smoke kill approximately 46,000 nonsmokers every year. People who already have heart disease are at an especially high risk of suffering negative effects from inhaling secondhand smoke and should avoid even brief exposure to it.

Because studies show that laws banning smoking in public places help improve worker and customer health, many states and communities have laws making workplaces, public places, restaurants, and bars smoke-free. But millions of children and adults still breathe secondhand smoke in their homes, cars, workplaces, and in public places.

How does secondhand smoke affect pregnant women, babies, and children?

Pregnant women who inhale secondhand smoke are more likely to have lower birth weight babies than women who do not inhale secondhand smoke. Once born, babies who are around cigarette smoke are more likely to get ear infections, develop bronchitis and pneumonia and die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Therefore secondhand smoke can cause serious health problems in children, including:

  • Frequent lower respiratory illness
  • Wheezing and coughing
  • More frequent and severe asthma attacks
  • Ear infections

It is therefore advisable that, women who are pregnant should avoid surroundings where heavy concentrations of secondhand smoke linger.

Secondhand smoke and nicotine addiction in pregnancy: Is smoking while pregnant harmful?

For luck of better words I will say that it is never safe to stay around smokers when pregnant let alone smoking. This is very dangerous because smoking while pregnant: affects the placenta which is the source of your baby’s food and oxygen, lowers the amount of oxygen available to you and your growing baby and also increases the following:

  • Your baby’s heart rate
  • The risk that your baby will be born prematurely
  • The risk that your baby will be born with low birth weight
  • Your baby’s risk of developing respiratory problems
  • The chances of stillbirth
  • The risk for certain birth defects like a cleft lip or cleft palate
  • The risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Besides that, children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy are at greater risk of: behavioral problems, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), learning disorders and becoming smokers themselves in the future. Therefore I recommend strongly that all pregnant women who are smoking should quit right way if not permanently then at least during their pregnancy.

Secondhand smoke and nicotine addiction in pregnancy: Is it too late to quit?

If you are pregnant, it is never too late to quit smoking. There are benefits to quitting smoking at any stage of your pregnancy. Quitting as soon as possible will help protect you and your baby from some health problems, such as low birth weight.

Secondhand smoke and nicotine addiction in pregnancy: Shouldn’t it be easy for me to quit smoking while pregnant?

No. Quitting smoking is hard for most women. Women who were smoking when they got pregnant often have to make more than one attempt to quit for good.

Secondhand smoke and nicotine addiction in pregnancy: Is it harmful to smoke again after my baby is born?

You might think it is safe to start smoking again after your baby is born, but your baby is not out of harm’s way. Remember that secondhand smoke is equally dangerous not just for your baby but to people around you. The best thing to do is to quit permanently because babies who are around cigarette smoke: have weaker lungs than other babies, are more likely to have health problems such as infections and more frequent asthma attacks and are at increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Therefore you need to protect your baby doing the following:

  • Do not allow anyone to smoke near your child.
  • Do not smoke or let others smoke in your home or car.
  • Use childcare providers who do not smoke.
  • Do not eat in restaurants that allow smoking.
  • Do not take your child to other indoor public places that allow smoking.
  • Teach children to stay away from secondhand smoke.

Secondhand smoke and nicotine addiction in pregnancy: I smoke can I breastfeed my baby?

Of course you can and you should breastfeed your baby because breast milk is very good for your baby. However, smoking may make it difficult to breastfeed because it changes your breast milk, disrupt your baby’s sleeping patterns and may even cause you to have problems releasing the breast milk. In conclusion life is lived once and doing the right things will help you have comfort in that life. Therefore for your health and your baby’s, you should quit smoking. Doing this will not be easy, and therefore, you need to consult with doctor Dalal Akoury to help you go about it professionally and in the most healthy way.

Secondhand smoke and nicotine addiction in pregnancy: What is secondhand smoke?

 

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How does heroin use affect pregnant women

April 24, 2015

How does heroin use affect pregnant women: Protecting the Unborn Babies from Drug Abuse?

How does heroin use affect pregnant women

How does heroin use affect pregnant women. It increase in premature delivery, low birth weight and death around the time of delivery.

Life begins at conception and protection of that life begins even before conception. That is why getting it is important that when one is planning to get a baby they must make sure that they are free from any kind of drug. Just like the young children should be brought up in a drug free environment, the unborn babies should also find the environment where they are going to dwell in on conception to be free from drugs. One may be wondering how heroin or any other drug can affect the child in the womb, if this concerns you, then you are at the right place because that is what we are going to discuss under the topic “how does heroin use affect pregnant women.” Experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury’s care are explaining certain points for our understanding as follows.

Doctor Akoury who is also the founder of the facility states that parental drug misuse can have an effect on the development of the fetus and long-term consequences for growing children. Some effects may be physical, but the most important ones will occur during the development of the mind and brain of the child. It is important to appreciate that some of these effects may not be visible, and, in some cases, the impact on the child´s development and behavior may not be noticeable for some years.

Although damage to the fetus can occur at any stage of the pregnancy, the first three months are the most vulnerable period for congenital malformations, while brain growth is most rapid late in pregnancy. The effects on the unborn child include:

  • Chromosomal abnormalities
  • Structural malformations (e.g. cleft palate)
  • Intrauterine growth retardation
  • Functional impairment (e.g. deafness)
  • Behavioral abnormalities (e.g. hyperactivity) and
  • Learning difficulties.

In addition, a high proportion of newborn babies, especially those whose mother used heroin before conception, will suffer withdrawal symptoms which may last up to several months and which will include:

  • Tremors
  • High muscle tone
  • Irritability
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting and
  • Abnormal feeding and sleep patterns

How does heroin use affect pregnant women: Heroin?

Experts carrying out studies in various have not established any clear evidence that heroin causes malformations to the fetus, nonetheless there is an increase in premature delivery, low birth weight and death around the time of delivery. Forty to eighty per cent of babies will develop a withdrawal syndrome lasting from several days to several months. The children tend to grow normally afterwards, although small head circumference may persist. There is no clear evidence of abnormal brain development in most of the children studied. Although methadone can be substituted for heroin, it may be more beneficial for the mother, and more toxic for the newborn.

How does heroin use affect pregnant women: Cocaine, crack cocaine (coke, snow)

There is considerable disagreement amongst medical experts as to whether cocaine or crack causes congenital malformations, but small head size, intrauterine growth retardation, prematurity, stillbirths, heart defects, abnormal bone development and neonatal withdrawal syndrome have been noted. Some studies have reported learning disorders and attention deficit at three years of age; however, longer-term follow up is needed to establish the importance of these effects.

How does heroin use affect pregnant women: Amphetamines?

They include methamphetamine, speed and Ecstasy, and are known to cause maternal anorexia, hypertension and reduced blood flow to the placenta. There is no conclusive evidence so far that amphetamines cause congenital malformations, but there is a risk of intrauterine growth retardation and premature delivery. It is thought that withdrawal symptoms may develop. There is no clear evidence that prenatal amphetamine exposure causes long-term effects on growth and development.

How does heroin use affect pregnant women: Cannabis (marijuana, Indian hemp, hashish?)

Cannabis is one of the most commonly used drugs in pregnant women, but little is known about its effects during pregnancy. There is conflicting data about the association of cannabis with congenital malformations and neonatal withdrawal syndrome. One long-term study found that the speech and memory performance among four-year olds whose mothers had consumed cannabis daily or several times a week during pregnancy was affected significantly

How does heroin use affect pregnant women: Looking forward for Diagnosis

Diagnosing babies and young children as affected by parental drug misuse and predicting likely outcomes is very hard to establish. This is partly due to the lack of conclusive research to date and to the fact that it is nearly impossible to accurately determine the type, amount and timing in pregnancy for each substance used especially as users often combine different drugs together, sometimes with alcohol.

Substance misuse is also frequently associated with poverty, physical or mental health issues, poor medical care and diet, which makes it even more difficult to clearly establish correlations between cause and effect. The most important thing to remember is that, by providing a stable, loving home for children affected by drugs and offering them good parenting, optimal nutrition, and appropriate stimulation, health care and educational opportunities, you can help them to reach their full potential.

Finally the innocent babies must not be subjected to such harsh toxic environment when there is something we can do to prevent this and be free from the harms of addiction. Doctor Akoury and her team of experts have been offering addiction solutions to many people and your condition will be handled professionally on if you can make that very important decision of scheduling for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today.

How does heroin use affect pregnant women: Protecting the Unborn Babies from Drug Abuse?

 

 

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