Tag Archives: Smoking

Tobacco Addiction: Helping Your Patient from “I do” to “I don’t”

July 23, 2014

What’s New In Tobacco Addiction

Tobacco addictionTobacco is not only a highly addictive substance but also one of killer drug substances. It is though one of the most widely abused substance in the world to date. Tobacco is one of drugs of the kind that makes the users keep saying “if I wanted today I can quit smoking this thing” but the truth is that quitting smoking tobacco naturally is not that easy. Nicotine which is a compound found in the tobacco is the chemical responsible for this addiction. This chemical causes a rush of adrenaline when absorbed into the bloodstreams or when inhaled through cigarette’s smoke. This chemical also initiates an increase in dopamine, nicknamed as “brain’s happy” chemical. This chemical consequently stimulates the brain areas which are normally associated with pleasure and reward. Just like with any other drug, the prolonged usage of tobacco can cause a physical and psychological addiction. This is not only applicable for smoky tobacco but also the case with the smokeless tobacco such as snuff and chewing ones.

What Are The Symptoms Of Addiction From Tobacco?

Unlike the addicts from the other forms of drugs, addiction from tobacco is very easy to spot. This is because tobacco is legal in many countries in the world. This factor makes it readily available and hence easy to acquire and can be consumed even in public. The smell of the tobacco makes it impossible for the addicts/ user to hide. It is very distinct from the other smells and it follows the smokers everywhere they go.

Some users of tobacco do not do it regularly, but for the addicts it has to be regular. How then do we notice an addicted person?

  • The person cannot stop smoking or chewing despite many attempts to stop. The person will continue to take the drug even though it has a negative effect to his body.
  • After every meal, the person must smoke or chew or after long time of not taking it. The addicted person will always want to take the drug and therefore after taking time without taking the drug e.g. while eating, after the activity the person will be seen smoking.
  • If the person attempts to quit taking tobacco, there will be withdrawal symptoms such as shaking hands, sweating, rise in heart beat or even irritation.
  • The person seems not to be at ease when he/ she has not smoked, and for the person to feel comfortable especially when the person is stressed must take tobacco.
  • The person will always attempt to dodge activities which are to take place which tobacco use in not allowed.
  • Another way of noticing a tobacco addict is that, the person will continue to take tobacco even when it causes him/her health problems.
  • The person will depict intense craving for tobacco and can afford to lose anything to get tobacco. If such a person doesn’t have money to purchase the tobacco substance can end up in pretty crimes seeking money to buy tobacco.

Can Tobacco Addiction Be Treated?

Addiction from tobacco can sometimes prove difficult to manage, despite a wide range of treatment methods available for the treatment of tobacco addiction. The main problem here becomes the relapse, which is mainly caused by craving the ritual of smoking. The process of recovery from this kind of addiction is never smooth, and unless the addict is devoted, relapse will be most likely.

Let’s look at some of the methods through which tobacco addiction can be treated:-

  • The patch

This method of treatment of tobacco addiction is also known as a nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). It uses the principle of gradual transition from drugs, by ensuring that the addict doesn’t withdraw from the drugs abruptly but slowly. It therefore gives the addict a small level of nicotine to wean the body gradually.

Tobacco Addiction

This is another form of NRT, which helps the addicts which have a habit of chewing and thus a need for oral fixation. The gum which is given to the recovering addict supplies a low level nicotine to ensure gradual transition of the addict from tobacco.

  • Inhalers and spray

This is another form of NRT also and involves supplying low level nicotine through spraying the nicotine sprays into the nose of the addict which is then inhaled to the lungs.

  • Medication

The other way of treating tobacco addiction is by the medical way. These are medications which are given by doctors once the addict visits health centers. Certain antidepressants or high blood pressure drugs are known to help in the treatment of addiction.

  • Therapeutic treatments

This involves use of psychological and behavioral treatment techniques. This involves activities which try to change the addict’s way in which they think about addiction and working to alter the feelings or behaviors the brain associates with tobacco use.

Despite having all these options in the treatment of tobacco addiction, it is important to note that some options will work well for some people and not to the others. It is therefore important to discuss the treatment method you choose with your doctor and keep in touch with the doctor to be able to track your progress and determine the progress.

Tobacco Addiction: Helping Your Patient from “I do” to “I don’t”

 

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Asthma and Smoking

July 18, 2014

Asthma and Smoking – Drug Addiction

Smoking

It is never fan smoking your life into destruction. cigarette smoking has no place in human life

Have you ever heard someone speak about smoking in total praise of good result they get from smoking? When you listen to cigarette being marketed through the media do they scare you with their remarks of dangers of smoking? Do the cigarette packets communicate good nutrition to you? Will you be healthy after smoking? Get the answers to these questions for yourself and follow me on this article and I believe that together we can be of help to many people addicted to cigarette smoking. I want to believe that this is not the first time you are hearing of poor relationship between asthma and cigarette smoking. You may not have appreciated that abstinence or quitting smoking when diagnose with asthma is the most important way you can take to protecting your lungs, facilitating treatment and preventing of asthma symptoms. To be honest with you if you’re suffering from asthma yet you’re still smoking you are doing your health a lot of injustice.

Reasons for Quitting Smoking

I am persuaded that you have heard the effects of smoking to you or to individuals diagnosed with asthma and to the general health of smokers and to those around them. It is a pity that some of our actions make us cause injuries to the innocent people around us. It is because of the great dangers and our desire to help you get the best life can offer that I write passionately about addiction and possible solutions. If you are smoking or you know of a friend or somebody smoking you can be of help to them by sharing this link to them so that they can get the following tips to help them enjoy the benefits of quitting smoking which include the following:

  • Because of reduced health risks your life will be prolonged.
  • Attainment of good health; Smoking is associated with several increase of health risk like lung cancer, throat cancer, a lung disease called emphysema (also known as COPD), heart disease, high blood pressure, ulcers, gum disease quitting reduces these risks significantly.
  • Feeling healthier; quitting smoking will reduce and eventually eliminates coughing, poor athletic ability, and sore throats.
  • Good looking appearance; smoking can cause face wrinkles, stained teeth, and dull skin which will go away by quitting smoking?
  • Improve your sense of taste and smell
  • You will be saving money by quitting since you will no longer spend on cigarette.

Possibilities of Quitting Smoking

Cigarette smoking is an addiction that is not east to recover from, because of this it becomes a problem since there is not particular formula applicable in quitting smoking particularly to those suffering from asthma however a smoking cessation program may be helpful with the help of your doctor taking you through smoking cessation programs in your community. Before you choose to quit all at once (“cold turkey”) it is important that you set a plan which will help progress. The plan may incorporate the following:

  • Settle on a date to stop smoking, and work toward achieving it.
  • Document when and why you smoke this is helpful in identification of some of your triggers.
  • Have in record what you do when smoking and try doing the opposite like smoking at different times and different places to break the connections between your smoking habit and certain activities.
  • List down all your reasons for quitting and memorize them before and after you quit.
  • Engage in positive activities to take the place of smoking.
  • Always consult your doctor concerning using nicotine replacement products such as gum, lozenges, and patches. Some people find these aids very helpful.

Asthma and Smoking – Quitting Time

On your choice day of quitting, begin that morning without a cigarette. Then follow the following tips:

  • Never concentrate on what you are longing for instead think about what you are gaining.
  • Encourage yourself that you are a great person for quitting.
  • When you are tempted to smoke take a deep breath and hold it for about 10 seconds and then release it slowly.
  • Disengage from activities that were connected to smoking like taking a walk or read a book instead of taking a cigarette break.
  • Don’t carry a lighter, matches, or cigarettes.
  • Go to places that don’t allow smoking, such as museums and libraries.
  • Eat low-calorie, healthful foods when the urge to smoke strikes. Carrot and celery sticks, fresh fruits, and fat-free snacks are good choices. Avoid sugary or spicy foods that may lead to cigarette craving.
  • Drink a lot of fluids. Avoid alcoholic drinks. They can make you want to smoke. Select water, herbal teas, caffeine-free soft drinks, and juices.
  • Exercise. It will help you to relax.
  • Hang out with non-smokers.
  • Seek support for quitting. Tell others about your milestones with pride.
Benefits of Quitting Smoking
  • After twenty minutes stopping smoking: Your blood pressure and pulse rate begin to decrease. Circulation and the temperature of your hands and feet begin to increase.
  • After twelve hours of not smoking: The carbon monoxide level in your blood returns to normal.
  • After two weeks to three months of not smoking: Your chance of heart attack decreases and your lungs function better
  • After one to nine months of not smoking: Coughing and shortness of breath decrease
  • After one year of not smoking: Your risk of heart disease decreases to half that of a smoker’s risk
  • After five to fifteen years of not smoking: Your risk of getting mouth, throat, or esophagus cancer drops to half that of a smoker.
  • After ten years of quitting smoking: Your risk of dying from lung cancer drops to almost half that of a smoker and your risk of other cancers, such as cancer of the bladder, larynx, kidney, and pancreas decreases
  • After fifteen years of quitting smoking: Your risk of heart disease decreases to that of a nonsmoker.

It is important noting that the temptation of smoking again (relapse) will always come. If they do be encouraged that you are not alone many people who have successfully quitted relapsed three times before the success. It is because of these challenges that you will need to be in constant touch with addiction professionals all the way and therefore being at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury’s care you will be professionally assisted overcome all your challenges by focusing on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE. This way you will live a health life free from all elements of addiction.

Asthma and Smoking – Drug Addiction

 

 

 

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Smoking Addiction Causes Cancer

November 1, 2013
Smoking Addiction causes Cancer

Dr. Dalal Akoury

How Smoking Addiction causes Cancer?

Thank you for smoking! is what you would expect from any one who benefits from the addiction and Cancer epidemics. Sad but true some people benefit from other people pain and affliction.

November is the Lung Cancer Awareness month, that is why AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center is dedicating a lot of time to raise the awareness about the association between smoking addiction and cancer.  Addiction is an emotional and  mental dependence on a substance. Nicotine is the principal addictive substance in tobacco, while there could be other substances that may also contribute to tobacco dependence. Regular smoking of tobacco products lead to addiction in most users. Nicotine is an addictive drug just like cocaine and heroin. Researchers are also investigating on some of the other chemicals in tobacco that make it harder to quit.

The susceptibility to lung cancer has been strongly related with cigarette smoking, in other words Smoking Addiction Causes Cancer . It’s estimated that about 90% of lung cancers are as a result of tobacco use. The susceptibility of lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes an individual smokes over time. Doctors equate this risk in terms of pack-years of smoking chronology. For instance, if a person has smoked two packs of cigarettes in each day for 10 years, he has a history of 20 years of packs.  Even though with a 10 pack-year  of smoking history can lead to cancer  risks, those with a history of smoking over 30 pack-years are considered more susceptible to cancer.

Smoking Addiction Causes Cancer, one in seven who smoke die from Lung Cancer!

Among those people who smoke more packs of cigarettes each day, one in seven will eventually die of lung cancer. Tobacco smoke has over 4,000 chemical substances, most of which have been shown to be causing cancer. The two basic carcinogens in tobacco smoke are substances known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nitrosamines. The susceptibility of developing lung cancer will decrease every year following cessation of smoking. This is because normal cells always grow to replace the already damaged cells in the lungs. Former smokers have a high susceptibility to developing cancer even 15 years after cessation of smoking.  It’s important to note that there is no safe exposure to tobacco. Even Pipe and cigar smoking may also cause lung cancer however not to the same high degree as with cigarettesSmoking.  Pipe and cigar smokers have a five fold increase in cancer development compared to non smokers.

Passive smoking

Smoking addiction exposes innocent individuals to smoke passively. Passive Smoking happens when people co-live sharing a place of living or working quarters with active smoker. This scenario has also been established as one way of cancer susceptibility. Research has revealed that non-smokers who reside  with smokers have a 24% risk increase of developing lung cancer as compared to other non-smokers. An estimated 3,000 people in the U.S die from cancer -attributable to passive smoking. Smoking Addiction Causes Cancer not only to the active smoker but also to the passive smoker.

Asbestos fibers

Smoking Addiction causes Cancer

Cigarette smoking can also lead to a drastic increase in the chances of developing asbestos. That is how Smoking Addiction Causes Cancer by increasing the risk of asbestosis.
These are silicate fibers that persist for a long period in lung tissue following exposure to asbestos. These fibers are commonly associated with work places. This is because in the past, asbestos was widely used in both acoustic and thermal insulation materials. However, today most countries have banned the use of asbestos. Both mesothelioma and lung cancer are often associated with exposure to asbestos. It’s worth noting that asbestos workers and smokers have a susceptibility risk of about 50-90 times greater than non smokers to develop cancer.  On the other hand, Asbestos workers who do not smoke have a lower risk to develop lung Cancer their risk to develop lung cancer of about 5 times that of the non-smokers.

At AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center we would like to share this information with you and help you to rid yourself from Smoking Addiction and Cancer

Smoking Addiction Causes Cancer

 

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