Stop Smoking
Be a Winner -Stop Smoking
Smokers have twice the risk of heart disease of non-smokers. Moreover, the risk increases with the number of cigarettes smoked each day. Cigars, pipes and chewing tobacco also increase risk, although to a lesser degree.
Among other things, smoking encourages the development of atherosclerosis (fatty plaque) in the blood vessels. It also decreases the good cholesterol (high density lipoproteins or HDL) and increases the tendency for blood to clot inside blood vessels, which can cause an obstruction.
What is the best technique to stop smoking?
The hardest part of smoking cessation is developing the right attitude to stop smoking. One way to develop the right attitude is to adopt a method that has the highest possible likelihood of success. Most researchers, physicians and ex-smokers agree that the more concrete and explicit the decision to quit, the more likely you will succeed.
Consult your physician to decide what is the best resource to help you quit.
So I decided to quit, now what?
Refraining from tobacco use is one thing; addiction to nicotineis another. Nicotine withdrawal happens within hours, causing insomnia, frustration, depression, restlessness, anxiety and an inability to concentrate. Withdrawal from nicotine should be GRADUAL. Smoking cessation aides can help. They help relieve craving for nicotine and cigarettes. Smoking cessation aids can be gradually reduced. Although you're still getting nicotine, you're not getting it from smoking, so you're not inhaling all the other "bad" chemicals in cigarette smoke.
Nicotine replacement products include nicotine gum, nicotine nasal spray, nicotine inhalers, or the nicotine patch. A supply of any of these products can cost between $100 to $200 each month, depending on how much or little you use.
Another product on the market is "Zyban," a new medication that is used as non-nicotine therapy for smoking cessation. It is believed to reduce dopamine levels in the brain (dopamine is a chemical that causes a "mental high" that mimics the response produced by nicotine), thus minimizing withdrawal symptoms. Length of treatment with Zyban varies but is typically from 8 to 12 weeks. A supply can cost about $80 each month.
One smoking cessation product is not more effective than another. However, research has shown that using any of these products significantly increases success rates!
