Resisting the urge of smoking in all circumstances

September 4, 2015

Resisting the urge of smoking in all circumstances: When the obstacles of quitting are so enormous

I have made a decision to quit and I’m now resisting the urge of smoking in all circumstances.

The way people get introduced into cigarette smoking is often very easy and luring. Ignorantly or willfully both the young and the old who are now addicts to these substances started small from a friend and progressively graduated to irresistible addiction. Even though the best solution to this kind of addiction is quitting, it is important to appreciate that this will not come in a silver platter. Somebody will have to work for it by resisting the urge of smoking in all circumstances as and when they come. It will not be easy however we have real time addiction experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury (MD). Doctor Akoury is also the founder of this facility whose primary objective is to bring hope to the hopeless drug addicts from our societies. Therefore as we progress into the discussion, you have any concerns relating to any kind of addiction, then this is the right place for you. You may therefore want to schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today for the commencement of your treatment that will restore back your health and life all in just a couple of weeks and at a very pocket friendly rates.

Resisting the urge of smoking in all circumstances: How can I resist the urge to smoke when I’m around smokers?

You may want to analyze situations in which watching others smoke triggers an urge in you to smoke. Figure out what it is about those situations that makes you want to smoke. Is it because you associate feeling happy with being around other smokers? Or, is there something special about the situations, such as being around the people you usually smoked with? Is it tempting to join others for routine smoke breaks?

Here are some tips:

Limit your contact with smokers, especially in the early weeks of quitting.
Do not buy, carry, light, or hold cigarettes for others.
If you are in a group and others light up, excuse yourself, and don’t return until they have finished.
Do not let people smoke in your home. Post a small “No Smoking” sign by your front door.
Ask others to help you stay quit. Give them specific examples of things that are helpful (such as not smoking around you) and things that are not helpful (like asking you to buy cigarettes for them).
Focus on what you’ve gained by quitting. For example, think of how healthy you will be when all smoking effects are gone from your body and you can call yourself smoke-free. Also, add up how much money you have saved already by not purchasing cigarettes and imagine (in detail) how you will spend your savings in 6 months.

Resisting the urge of smoking in all circumstances: How can I start the day without smoking?

Many smokers light up a cigarette right after they wake up. After 6 to 8 hours of sleep, a smoker’s nicotine level drops and the smoker needs a boost of nicotine to start the day. After you quit, you must be ready to overcome the physical need and routine of waking up and smoking a cigarette. Instead of reaching for your cigarettes in the morning, here are some tips:

The morning can set the tone for the rest of the day. Plan a different wake-up routine, and divert your attention from smoking.
Be sure no cigarettes are available.
Before you go to sleep, make a list of things you need to avoid in the morning that will make you want to smoke. Place this list where you used to place your cigarettes.
Begin each day with a planned activity that will keep you busy for an hour or more. It will keep your mind and body busy so you don’t think about smoking.
Begin each day with deep breathing and by drinking one or more glasses of water.

Resisting the urge of smoking in all circumstances: How can I resist the urge to smoke when I’m feeling stressed?

Most smokers report that one reason they smoke is to handle stress. This happens because smoking cigarettes actually relieves some of your stress by releasing powerful chemicals in your brain. Temporary changes in brain chemistry cause you to experience decreased anxiety, enhanced pleasure, and alert relaxation. Once you stop smoking, you may become more aware of stress.

Everyday worries, responsibilities, and hassles can all contribute to stress. As you go longer without smoking, you will get better at handling stress, especially if you learn stress reduction and relaxation techniques.

Here are some tips:

Know the causes of stress in your life (your job, traffic, your children, money) and identify the stress signals (headaches, nervousness, or trouble sleeping). Once you pinpoint high-risk trigger situations, you can start to develop new ways to handle them.
Create peaceful times in your everyday schedule. For example, set aside an hour where you can get away from other people and your usual environment.
Try relaxation techniques, such as progressive relaxation or yoga, and stick with the one that works best for you.
Rehearse and visualize your relaxation plan. Put your plan into action. Change your plan as needed.
You may find it helpful to read a book about how to handle stress.

Resisting the urge of smoking in all circumstances: How can I resist the urge to smoke when I’m driving or riding in a car?

You may have become used to smoking while driving—to relax in a traffic jam or to stay alert on a long drive. Like many smokers, you may like to light up when driving to and from work to relieve stress, stay alert, relax, or just pass the time. There is some evidence that smoking actually does make you feel more awake and alert.

Tips for short trips:
Remove the ashtray, lighter, and cigarettes from your car.
Keep nonfattening snacks in your car (such as licorice, sugarless gum, and hard candy).
Turn on your favorite music and sing along.
Take an alternate route to work or try carpooling.
Clean your car and make sure to use deodorizers to reduce the tobacco smell.
Tell yourself:
- “This urge will go away in a few minutes.”
- “So, I’m not enjoying this car ride. Big deal! It won’t last forever!”
- “My car smells clean and fresh!”
- “I’m a better driver now that I’m not smoking while driving.”

When you are driving or riding with other people:

Ask passengers not to smoke in your car.
If you’re not driving, find something to do with your hands.

Your desire to smoke may be stronger and more frequent on longer trips. Doctor Akoury says that you may want to apply the following tips for long trips:

Take a stretch break along the way.
Take fresh fruit along.
Plan rest stops.
Plan stops for water or fruit juice and always ensure that you consult with professionals from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center from time to time for safety.

Resisting the urge of smoking in all circumstances: When the obstacles of quitting are so enormous

Protect your family from effects of smoking

September 4, 2015

Protect your family from effects of smoking: Tobacco use affects every body

If you are really sick and tired of smoking, then stand out ans protect your family from effects of smoking

It is no longer in doubt that smoking is one of the most dangerous and health hazardous activity in the twenty first century. We are also away that all smoke able substances including marijuana, cigarettes, heroin and cocaine are very addictive and not easy to leave when one begins using them. Listening to my introduction, you will notice that I have only mentioned that once addicted to these substances, quitting is not very easy. That is bad news and can also be a statement of hope in the sense that quitting is still possible the only challenge is that it won’t be easy. It therefore means that there is hope and you can still protect your family from the effects of smoking by quitting this dangerous habit today. And like we have mentioned the journey of quitting will not be an easy one and that is why we are engaging the services of real addiction experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury to help us put to perspective some of these facts. We are therefore happy to have you on board even as we progress into the discussion with this able team of professionals.

You may not just realize it the dangers you are putting your loved one into by you smoking habit. When you send you son or daughter for a packet of cigarette to you now it may be normal after all they are your children and they are brought up knowing that obedience is a virtue. So you children will in humility be the link between you and your suppliers but have you ever thought of the implication of that seemingly harmless act of obedience from your children? In plain black and white you are progressively introducing them to drugs and you will not have any moral ground to correct them when they become of age. Remember that these are your loved ones whom you need to protect from all sorts of dangers of which drug addiction is one of the greatest. Doctor Dalal Akoury a veteran addiction expert and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center say that even though smoking is that dangerous, but nonetheless your decision to quit smoking will go a long way in protecting the people in your life something that you really owe them. Remember that smoking harms both you and the ones you love and this include any other person who in one way or the other will come into contact with the smoke from your habits. Doctor Akoury recommends that before you do anything, it is important for you to visualize the effects and also think about how quitting will make the people you care about happier and healthier. From the video in your mind you are able to see a healthier and happier family from that single act of quitting. This is one of the ways you can use to motivate yourself as you consider beginning your journey of quitting this unhealthy habit. Now to help you evaluate the benefits further, you may want to consider responding to the following concerns:

Protect your family from effects of smoking: How does my smoking impact others?

This is a worth concern since the effect of secondary smoke is equally dangerous for health. According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, the major way through which smoking hurts non-smokers is by inhaling the secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke is the combination of smoke that comes from your cigarette and smoke you breathe out while smoking. Breathing in any amount of secondhand smoke is dangerous. Take for instance the dangers you are exposing your wife to by kissing, what about holding your three month old baby while smoking? Has it ever occurred to you of the magnitude of the problem you are bringing to your entire household by your smoking habits? Professionally doctor Akoury states categorically that the one and only best way to protect your family from secondhand smoke is to quit smoking.

Protect your family from effects of smoking: What are the health effects of secondhand smoke?

To the adults – being subjected to inhaling of secondhand smoke over a period time can cause a number of health problems for non-smokers. Such victims of secondhand smoke are likely to suffer from the following health complications:

Cancer
Heart disease
Breathing problems
A harder time getting pregnant
Colds and flu
Irritated eyes, nose, and throat

If this is what secondhand smoke victims will go through, the question that now begs for an answer would be, how much more will the direct smoker suffer if they don’t quite?

To the pregnant Women and Children – Secondhand smoke is especially dangerous for pregnant women, babies, and children. Pregnant women who breathe in secondhand smoke over time are more likely to:

Lose their babies
Give birth to smaller and under weight babies
Have their babies die prematurely due to the complications of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
Have babies who are cranky‚ restless‚ and get sick more often
Have babies with both present and future learning problems

Besides the pregnant women, children who breathe in secondhand smoke over time are more likely to have:

More severe asthma attacks from time to time
Bronchitis, pneumonia, and other breathing problems
Coughing and wheezing
Ear and lung infections

Protect your family from effects of smoking: Other ways smoking impacts others

As a fun and an addict of smoking, you may not realize it, but the truth is that your smoking habits affect the people in your life in ways beyond their health. Remember that when you smoke, you may miss out on several things including:

Spending time with your family and friends owing to the frequency with which you light your cigarette
Having more money to spend on the people you love
Setting a good example for your children. Did you know that children who are raised by smokers are more likely to become smokers themselves? You are most likely if not definitely going to lose your position of being a good role model for your children.

Finally nothing will ever come out of smoking no matter how best you defend it. You owe your family the duty of care and the time of quitting is now and not tomorrow. If you are experiencing any challenges, then seek audience with doctor Dalal Akoury for further professional guidance.

Protect your family from effects of smoking: Tobacco use affects every body

The aftermath of smoking risks after recovery

September 2, 2015

The aftermath of smoking risks after recovery: What next after smoking cessation?

The aftermath of smoking risks after recovery can be felt even up to one year latter after quitting. the heart is the most vulnerable of all the organs.

There is no doubt that up on quitting smoking health improvement takes place almost immediately and for sure people who quit cigarette smoking at whatever age or stage of life are expected to feel significant and remarkable benefits within a few minutes, hours, days and weeks from their last puff of cigarette. However, it is equally important to note that even though the benefits will be realized almost immediately, the effects of smoking can still be felt even after one year of smoking cessation. Doctor Dalal Akoury (MD) and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, says that, with smoking the vein health may still not return to normalcy thereby increasing the possibility of a failed heart bypass surgery and that is why we want to focus our discussion on the aftermath of smoking risks after recovery. It will interest you to note that according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, coronary artery bypass grafting surgery is the most common type of open-heart surgery performed globally. Professionally this is primarily done to patients who have severe heart problems, or those whose major arteries have been blocked and damaged making them susceptible to heart problems. This procedure involves connecting (or grafting) a blocked artery to a healthy one so the blood can bypass the damaged artery and flow freely through the other one. Success rates of coronary artery bypass goes beyond grafting surgery which are considered high among non-smokers.

Experts are working round the clock to reduce the aftermath of smoking risk after recovery and according to a study published in the journal The Annals of Thoracic Surgery it was established that the damage caused by tobacco use to the veins may not be fully reversed even after one full year of smoking cessation. It therefore means that smoking has very long term effect on your health that even after quitting you will still be at certain risk according to the study. And like we had mentioned previously, heart disease is the number one killer in the world and it is strongly facilitated by smoking and the nicotine in the tobacco smoke. Along with improper diet, obesity, high cholesterol and inactivity, smoking is still a major risk factor for cardiovascular problems. From the discussion so far it is becoming clear that even though quitting smoking now is the best thing to do since doing can reverse many of the side effects of tobacco use, it is equally important to appreciate the fact that it will take some time before the other damages can be reversed completely. Doctor Dalal Akoury is reaffirming that since no one really knows when he or she will be in need of coronary artery bypass surgery; therefore, the best approach to this problem/habit is to stop immediately and preferably in your youthful age. This is very important because the heart problems and complications often deteriorate and get more obvious in old age says doctor Akoury. For better understanding of the magnitude of this problem, let us consider the following smoking risks on other medical procedures as follows:

The aftermath of smoking risks after recovery: Smoking poses health risks to any kind of surgery

While all smokers are urged to quit, doctor Akoury is of the opinion that individual smokers who are scheduled for surgery must be highly encouraged to quit as soon as possible if they want to escape the scathing consequences of the problem at hand. The contents of cigarettes which include among other things nicotine and carbon monoxide are so destructive and will impact negatively by blocking the smooth blood flow to different parts of the body thereby impairing the healing process.

The aftermath of smoking risks after recovery: Smoking increases risk after colorectal procedures

According to the findings of a given study published last September in the Annals of Surgery journal revealed that smoking boosts the risk of infection, pneumonia, blood clots and kidney failure after colorectal procedures.

The aftermath of smoking risks after recovery: Smoking makes cancer treatments less effective

Cancer is one of the most frustrating illness and cancer patients will confirm to you the agony they go through during treatment. Cigarette smoking is a serious threat to cancer treatment for varies many reasons and therefore all cancer patients are highly discouraged to desist from smoking because it hinders their body from effectively cooperating with the treatment. It is also important to note that besides lowering their immune responses, experts have establish that smoking can increase the risk of risk of heart and lung complications including problems related to general anesthesia.

The aftermath of smoking risks after recovery: Smoking impacts the body even during less invasive surgeries

The best way of avoiding all these complications is not just stopping but choosing not to be lured into smoking in the first place. Those who do not smoke at all have less risk considering all the health complications that are associated with smoking. Doctor Akoury advices that if you are schedule for any surgery regardless of whether it’s a major or minor surgery, the professional advice from experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center is that patients must endeavor to stop smoking way before the scheduled date of their procedure to ensure success of the treatment. There is no two way about it any patient schedule for surgery must quit smoking.

The aftermath of smoking risks after recovery: Continuing to smoke after surgery causes serious complications.

Finally in one of the studies, more than half of patients who continued to smoke after surgery developed complications compared with less than 20 percent of those who quit. Lighting up also increases the risk of death after surgery. Doctor Akoury parting short is that there’s no way in which tobacco use will help in easing the process of any medical treatment or procedure. With that in mind smokers who have health problems or are undergoing treatments MUST make the decision of quitting a priority. Otherwise, they could be facing serious, long-term consequences.

The aftermath of smoking risks after recovery: What next after smoking cessation?

Underage smoking and the best quitting strategies

August 31, 2015

Underage smoking and the best quitting strategies: Why quitting smoking is not just an option but a must?

Underage smoking and the best quitting strategies. When teenagers begin to smoke this early, there will be greater consequences when they get old and that is why quitting is encouraged early.

Even though smoking is known the world over to be hazardous to human health, it is one of the most abused drugs after alcohol. The rate at which this killer substance is being used is worrying and this is further complicated by the fact that despites its effects on people’s health it is still a legally allowed substance for consumption. We are alarmed by significant increase of teen and children’s getting into the habit of smoking and that is what is forming the basis of our discussion in this article. Therefore with the help of experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury, we are going to focus our discussion on underage smoking and the best quitting strategies with a view of bringing this unhealthy behavior to manageable levels. Professionally doctor Dalal Akoury states categorically that the younger you start smoking, the more damage your body will suffer when you get older. With that naked fact in your mind we can now approach the discussion from a common footing and we want to encourage you to stay with us on the link to the completion of this worth discussion.

According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, if something is not done now, we may be breeding a generation of smokers and carriers of all health chronic complications that are associated with cigarette smoking. It is true that our young boys and girls are into smoking and this not good not just for our individual’s families but also the societies and the nations at large. Therefore we want to share with us some of the real and immediate benefits of quitting smoking and possible ways of helping yourself do it. Let us begin with the benefits:

Underage smoking and the best quitting strategies: Benefits of quitting smoking

Ordinarily smoking is very unhealthy and therefore the first benefit of quitting is regaining the good health. It therefore means that if you quit you’ll be healthier with a well-functioning respiratory system because smoking decreases your lung capacity.

There will be instant financial benefits in terms of savings realized from cigarette funds. Research has it that the average smoker spends a shocking £27.54 a week and £90,000 over their lifetime on cigarettes. If you were to use this as guideline, you can work out how much money you are saving by quitting smoking.

You’ll have a more rejuvenated skin complexion since all the chemicals in cigarettes restrict blood flow to your skin. Doctor Akoury says that smokers have more wrinkled and saggy faces by the time they’re in their mid-20s something that will not catch up with you.

Quitting impacts positively in the environment and by extension the earth at large. Remember that the deforestation due to tobacco production accounts for nearly 5% of overall deforestation in the developing world.

Someone who starts smoking at 15 is three times more likely to die from cancer than someone who starts smoking in their mid-20s. The younger you start smoking, the more damage there will be to your body as an adult.

Not smoking will make you instantly more attractive. Most people prefer kissing non-smokers. Try quitting and experience the compassionate love that you and your partner will have thereafter.

Underage smoking and the best quitting strategies: How best you can get through quitting

When we are addressing the problems of cigarette smoking, quitting is often the best option that experts will give. But the problem arose on the modalities of quitting and the hindrances of doing so. It all begins from being in denial to relapse after successful recovery. Nonetheless if you have made up your mind that you want to give it up, the question that follows would be “from where do you start?” you may want to consider the following:

The journey of quitting will not be an easy one and the kind of friends you keep will matter most. It is advisable to keep friends who are non-smokers and not your former colleagues in smoking.

It’s very hard to give up by willpower alone. Get all the help you can find: 12 to 18-year-olds get free nicotine replacement therapy (patches, sprays, gum) on the NHS. Ask your GP for help stopping smoking. They won’t be shocked that you’re a smoker.

Take note that all your smoking friends will not want to lose your friendship upon quitting, therefore you must be prepared for a few push and pull. It’s a good idea to have something ready to say when you’re offered a cigarette. You may want to consider the following few reasons even as you think of other better reasons to give on your own, like for instance you could respond by:

Smoking costs me (name a figure) annually. I’m giving up so I can buy myself a new mobile/driving lessons/a holiday.
I am not allowed to smoke in my work place and therefore quitting is the only option I have.
My boyfriend/girlfriend doesn’t like kissing a smoker. It’s true: two-thirds of teenagers say smoking reduces sexual attractiveness.
I’m taking my sport seriously and I need to give up if I want to be an athlete.

You must be ready to face all the challenges that will come in the first few days of your quitting. Initially coping will not be easy but progressively all your withdrawal symptoms should subside after the first four weeks. You could opt for using nicotine gum and patches (NRT) as tools of cope with cravings.

Worried about weight gain while you’re quitting? Load your bag up with low-calorie snacks, such as apple chips, carrot sticks, mints, popcorn or chewing gum, to get you through the cravings. Read more about how you can quit smoking without putting on weight.

Always relay on your family support. Having loved ones a round you at this time is very important in your recovery journey. Remember that letting them know your smoking problem will enable them find ways of helping you in quitting.

Do your best to stay away from alcohol, coffee, sugar and sweets while you quit. Studies have shown that these foods (especially the booze) can stimulate cigarette cravings.

Finally doctor Akoury sounds a warning that it will take about a month for the nicotine cravings to subside. Therefore it is important that you take it one day at a time and soon you’ll be smoke free for the rest of your life. Nonetheless if you face any challenges do not hesitate to calling doctor Dalal Akoury for further assistance.

Underage smoking and the best quitting strategies: Why quitting smoking is not just an option but a must?

Cranial Electrotherapy For Cigarette Smoking

July 26, 2015

Medical Breakthrough: Cranial Electrotherapy Leading Fight against Cigarette Smoking

Of all forms of addiction, tobacco is the most regularly abused. This is majorly because of its addictive content, nicotine. Addiction is majorly characterized by its rewarding and compulsive nature. These two make quitting a difficult process. Addiction has little or no regard to health consequences, however dire. It is said most smokers recognize use of tobacco as harmful and often they express a desire to moderate or desist from using it in vain. Reports indicate close to 35 million tobacco users express willingness to shun however over 85 percent of them who take their own initiatives each year often relapse, mostly within a week. And yet a very small portion of the remaining 15% attains full recovery.

How Cigarette Smokers Get Addicted to Nicotine

The addictive substance nicotine once smoked causes a number of effects in the brain. Nicotine like other addictive substances activates pleasure axes of the brain. It also increases levels of one key pleasure causing chemical component of the brain called dopamine. The brain has a way of developing a pathway of things commonly used through a process neuroplasticity. This way long term exposure to nicotine leads to increased levels of dopamine production. The whole process therefore leads to addiction of nicotine and tobacco for that matter. The addictive substance also has pharmacokinetic properties, which acts to reinforce the addiction. Learn more about nicotine addiction via www.awaremednetwork.com.

Cranial Electrotherapy

The road leading to addiction is as straight as the above explanation. Nicotine addiction is also rewarding and repetitive, literally making smoking fun. But there are consequences, most of the time dreadful. This reminds us the way back to recovery. Unlike the road down to addiction, the one back to sobriety is rough and bumpy. Sometimes it is so rocky we get stuck, other times it’s so muddy and slippery we get back down to nicotine addiction and wait for another season like the 85%. After a few more attempts, we lose hope and let nature take its course. Recovery then seems impossible, however it is within reach. And we can give it one more shot. Only this time differently. How about battling cigarette smoking using the recent medical breakthrough, cranial electrotherapy?

Symptoms of Nicotine Addiction

Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal include anxiety, irritability, increased appetite, craving, depression, short-lived attention spans, and sleep disturbances. There are a number of clinical other methods in use however none comes out a clear cut treatment option. Replacement therapies such as gum, inhalers, and patches may attempt take out the pharmacological characteristics of withdrawal but often cravings never seize. Cranial electrotherapy however is slowly gaining popularity for its convenience, comfort and comparative cost.

New Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES)

Cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) is a type of brain stimulus that passes a small, pulsed electric current from one corner to another of a patient’s head to cure some of the addictive symptoms earlier mentioned including; anxiety, depression, chronic pains and insomnia among others. Cranial electrotherapy involves the use of a small hand-held electric, home based medical device. Even though recently approved, CES has been around for some time, it has been used in our psychiatry clinics for a period many years.

Cranial electrotherapy Simulation devices generate 1/1000, the output of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and connected with sponge conductors on both sides of the head. Patients are required to use the device for about 20 minutes twice every day during the first 6 weeks, then less frequently as recommended by a physician. Actually the device is convenient and more easy to use; this is because it allows the patients go about their morning and evening routines comfortably. The electrical current must be gentle, not greater than 4 mA. They are often these often called electroceuticals; not quite as handy as popping a pill, but a lot more convenient than the trans cranial magnetic stimulation or ECT treatments.

Zero Side Effects of CES

Various medical research studies indicate cranial electrotherapy causes no adverse effects other than headache or dizziness in less than 1 of 250 patients. Cranial therapy is again a cheaper way of treatment compared with others. The cost of the CES ranges from $600 to $800 depending on the features and the place of origin, the manufacturer. Reports also purport cranial electrotherapy increases cognitive abilities of the patients, especially when they are chemically dependent. Also, the use of cranial electrotherapy does not need monitoring hence cutting down on costs.

Cranial Electrotherapy

Despite the benefits mentioned immediately above, many experts discourage use of cranial electrotherapy during pregnancy. Research on effects of CES on milk production is ongoing and until it is considered safe, doctors have warned against its use by expectant mothers. Most of the experts however opine cranial electrotherapy has no effect on milk production and or continued lactation. More research on cranial electrotherapy and its’ safety with the expectant and the unborn is ongoing with further revelations expected in this year’s upcoming August Integrative Addiction Medicine Conference. To learn more about the same and sign up for a chance to participate click on: http://www.integrativeaddiction2015.com.

Medical Breakthrough: Cranial Electrotherapy Leading Fight Against Cigarette Smoking

Tag Archives: Nicotine