How To Quit Smoking In 3 Quick & Easy Steps - Guaranteed!

by: Joe Luna


It's true...

Knowing how to quit smoking doesn't have to be this long, expensive and miserable experience most smokers have come to accept. In fact, just the opposite is true. Before we begin however, we must understand a little about human psychology. Specifically, how we deal with the twin emotional forces that drive our lives - pain and pleasure.

Here's how it works. Everything we do (or don't do) is in response to our desire to avoid pain or our desire to gain pleasure. Pain pushes us away from something and pleasure pulls us toward something. Pain is the more powerful of the two. Therefore, we will do far more to avoid pain than we ever will to gain pleasure. And learning to master these emotions, is the secret to quitting smoking.

Here's How This Applies To Quitting Smoking

Smokers that try to quit and fail tend to rationalize not quitting with excuses like "I'm going to gain weight", "I'll be in such a bad mood" or "I''ve tried before and it didn't work, so why bother?" (pain). They focus on the emotional struggles they'll have to endure as they try to quit. Whatever the excuse, no matter how big, small, real or imagined, it's usually just enough reason to give up - and so they do.

Those that succeed however, associate more pain with NOT quitting than with quitting. They can't bear the idea of continuing to be a smoker. They're sick and tired of everything negative associated with being a smoker - the smells, poor health, wasted money, etc. etc. etc. Plus, smokers that succeed concentrate their focus on the benefits (pleasure) they're going receive as a result of becoming a non-smoker.

So, the question is: How do we effectively put these powerful forces to work for us instead of against us so that we quit smoking quickly, easily and permanently? Here's the answer - step by step.

Step #1 - Grab a pen. On a simple sheet of paper begin writing everything down that you can't stand about being a smoker. Is it the money you keep throwing away? How about your health or the health of those around you that you truly care about? Maybe you're sick of the smell that gets into everything? Whatever it is, write it down. Don't just think about it. Write it down. Writing crystalizes thought and makes it more real than just thinking about it.

And the key to this entire process is to get emotional. It's our emotions that drive us. So, put your heart into it. This is your life we're talking about here. This isn't a game!

Step #2 - On a separate sheet paper, write down everything you're going to GAIN as a result of quitting smoking. What's it going to mean to you? Will you have more money in your pocket you can spend on the things you really want? How about less worrying about your health or smoking around your kids? Perhaps it's having a better-smelling house, car or clothes. Whatever it is that moves you, write it down.

And again, get emotional - REAL emotional.

Now, go make copies and post them wherever they'll be in front of you - your fridge, your bathroom mirror, your car - keep a copy in your pocket or purse at all times. Wrap a copy around your cigarettes! Make it so you couldn't forget about quitting even if you wanted to. Look at your lists constantly. And when you do, focus on the emotions you experienced as you made your lists.

And the final step is...(And this is the BIG one!)

Step #3 - Start living your life immediately as if you've ALREADY quit smoking. Don't think, "Some day I'm going to quit", because you'll never quit. Consider yourself a non-smoker today! However you see yourself, that's how you will be.

Then, take some sort of positive action that you see yourself as a non-smoker taking. It could be going for a daily 30 minute walk, starting a healthy diet, or even start making plans for all the extra money you'll have. And as you do this, don't look for motivation to move you. Just take action. Action creates motivation. Motivation seldom creates action. Action will literally reinforce your belief that you've already quit smoking and drive you, effortlessly, towards taking more positive actions.

So there you have it my friend. You now have the secret that most smokers will never know about quitting. And the best part is, everything you need is already in you.

To learn more about how to quit smoking without patches, pills or gums - 100% naturally, please visit the resource below for even more great information.

Article Source : http://www.articlecity.com

Quit smoking tips for a smoke-free life!

by LYAN JAPSON

If you have decided to quit smoking then there are several good ways which can successfully make you a non-smoker. In your quit smoking mission, your family members, friends and relatives should be supportive. By taking the help of your near and dear ones you can quit smoke. It has been seen that most of the people start their quit smoking mission but don’t get successful in continuing with it. This is because of the quit smoking symptoms which irritate and craves for more cigarettes.

Below are some of the quit smoking tips which a smoker can employ in order to quit smoke permanently.
• Recognize the times at which your smoking habit is at its peak. Many times people smoke when they are depressed or when they are happy. Sometimes when they are with their friends they tend to smoke heavily. So identify such situations.
• Keep a diary to help you determine such risky times.
• Decide what all things you will do in stead of smoking at that time. You can drink tea or coffee over cigarettes just to remove craving of cigarettes. You can also go for a long walk to inhale fresh air. Try to remove the ashtrays and others things which remind you of cigarettes.
• Let all your friends, family members and relatives know about your quit smoking decision as they will become cautious is smoking in front of you. In fact your near and dear ones will surely be the supporting factor and will help you in quitting smoking.
• Before the arrival of quitting date try to reduce the amount of cigarettes intake.
• You should enroll for a better cigarette smoking cessation program which is highly effective and popular across the world.
• Ask your doctor for advice regarding prescription medication/ns which are safe for your body.
• Try to know more about nicotine patches, gums and sprays which act as the perfect replacement of nicotine.
• You can also employ hypnosis as this technique has given positive results in many individuals.
• Employ more exercises ass they removes the urge to smoke

So all these quit smoking tips will surely remove quit smoking effects and will make you a non smoker for rest of your life. You can also employ cig-arette stop smoking program which is composed of natural ingredients and does not test the patience of the smoker by giving favorable results within a week.

Article Source : http://www.amazines.com

Stop Smoking Review

by JOSEE BEDARD

Stop Smoking Review products to help people stop smoking. Just like you, for many years, I was a smoker; and just like you, I tried everything to quit smoking: nicotine gums, nicotine patches. Anyway, here's mine: The book's a bit silly, and some of the arguments are dodgy, but that doesn't seem to matter. It works, and it's surprisingly easy it takes a _little_ will power, but not much . I know a couple of people who've read it-one quit, the other didn't. Today, every smoker knows that with every cigarette great harm is done to the body, which can have negative impact on their own health, as well as that of their families. So, generally its understood that this habit is very bad, which is why more and more smokers feel they need to do something about it. During the course of my research on how to quit smoking, I stumbled upon these effective programs , which I have reviewed for you.

Stop Smoking: aids, acupuncture, program, hypnosis, cigarette, pill, herbs, products, quit smoking, gum, hypnotherapy, video, poster, tobacco your description here . Successfully Stop Smoking is a natural quit smoking method available as an immediate download in a PDF format This is the only quit smoking program we found that offered an extensive backup system. The Easy Quit System The Easy Quit System uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to help you quit smoking. This is a method used by psychologists and psychiatrists to get patients to stop using addictive drugs Pete Howell. Stop Smoking Reviews Blog products to help people stop smoking. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the product, e-cigarettes deliver nicotine without tobacco smoke, making them much safer than real cigarettes and a potentially useful tool for quitting smoking. Hadn , Nicotine , Quitting Smoking ,. Just like you, for many years, I was a smoker; and just like you, I tried everything to quit smoking: nicotine gums, nicotine patches. During the course of my research on how to quit smoking, I stumbled upon these effective programs , which I have reviewed for you. Each has its strengths, and I am certain that one of these programs will help each and everyone who wishes to stop smoking forever do so without the cravings, mood-swings, weight gain and related effects. When looking at different stop smoking programs, there are certain factors you need to consider. TopConsumerReviews com has reviewed and ranked the best stop smoking programs available today. We hope you find these reviews helpful in kicking that smoking habit!. They are unlimited effects of cigarette smoking let us know few - Stop Smoking Program Reviews Home. Stop Smoking Program Reviews Home For many people, smoking is a reliable lifestyle coping tool. Smoking is used as a way to suppress uncomfortable feelings, and smoking is used to alleviate stress, calm nerves, and relax. No wonder that when you are deprived of smoking, your mind and body are unsettled for a little while. Positive intentions often associated with smoking. STOP SMOKING Reviews and Guides, Read STOP SMOKING eBay Review and Guides in the eBay categories. Related tags: smoking , stop smoking ,. Kick A book for those who REALLY want to stop smoking. Rule number two? "Don't stop smoking until you've finished this book ". Damn Blast I had to drag myself back out of bed, shower, change, ring my editor for an advance, go to the bank, cash my cheque, buy a packet of cigarettes, all so I could give up smoking. The difference is that I thought about it for a long time and really wanted to stop smoking forever. I stopped smoking! No pain, no cravings and NO weight gain! ,. There is no sensationalism -nothing about lung cancer, strokes and the usual fear tactics used to try and stop people from smoking hey -they don't work anyway! .

This review is intended to help you find the best program for your. Today, every smoker knows that with every cigarette great harm is done to the body, which can have negative impact on their own health, as well as that of their families. Among the most serious problems there is lung cancer, which basically means the persons life is finished. So, generally its understood that this habit is very bad, which is why more and more smokers feel they need to do something about it. There are many options for smokers to consider.

At Jomanz.com we list honest and independent reviews of the best Top Performing Products. Our site is dedicated to helping those looking for web hosting make an informed decision. All of our reviews are completely independent - we do not allow aany publisher to pay us for a higher commission, and unlike other review sites. Each Review is ranked according to a number of factors, and visitors to our site can post their own reviews that we list.

Article Source : http://www.amazines.com

Why to quit smoking?

By: Enrique


Undoubtedly cigarette smoking is injurious to health. Therefore it is advisable to quit this addictive habit before it ends your life. There are many reasons to quit smoking. Let’s discuss some of them in brief:

• Health- This is known to every one that smoking harms your health to a great extent. Some of the problems related to smoking include cough, emphysema, lung cancer and many more. By quitting smoking you will lessen the probability of developing such diseases and you will feel fresh and energetic all the time.

• Beauty- It is a known fact that smoking farms your outer appearance also. It damages the skin and causes wrinkles on your skin. If you look beautiful right from your childhood and you have become a chain smoker at the age of 20 then you would appear as 30. This is the result of smoking on your skin. Similar is the case in men. Dry skin is one of the most common results of smoking in both the gender. Additionally discoloration of the fingers, teeth, nails is a common trait caused due to smoking. To the least, it will make you look ugly and you will lose your ultimate glow.

• Money- It is really difficult to earn money in this recession hit world. So one should not waste money in smoking cigarettes. A single pack of cigarette will cost more than $5. If you smoke 1 pack a day, then you have wasted more than $150 a month and $1800 a year which is huge money. In stead of wasting your money on smoking, you can utilize the money for the education of your children or for some charity work if you have loads of extra money with you.

• Health of the family- Many people think that smoking will harm their life only and often respond promptly if any one urges them to stop smoking, saying that it is harming me and not you”. Well second hand smoke is really harmful to your family members and those around you inhaling it. Your kids will inhale the unwanted smoke if you smoke in front of them. That is the main reason that children in their early age suffer from asthma problem. Some other health problems are also attached to passive smoking. These are cystic fibrosis, sinusitic, rhinitis, lung failure, pneumonia, bronchitis, sore throats, common colds and many more.

All these reasons demand a smoker to quit this dangerous habit which is not only harmful to his body but also to the people around him who have to inhale it without any option. It is really important to wake up and take some action to prevent the negative effects of smoking and this can be achieved only by quitting smoking. Its time to take a pledge not to smoke cigarettes by taking the help of several quit smoking programs which are safe and effective in kicking this addiction.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

Smoking and Heart Diseases "Is Smoking Synonymous with Heart Disease?

By: sturat.mitchel


Smoking, especially cigarettes, is now known to have devastating effects on the heart, causing a reduction in good cholesterol [HDL] which, in turn, increases the amount of bad cholesterol [LDL] which is known to cause strokes. Artherosclerosis, high blood pressure and sticky blood all contribute to heart disease. The relationship between cigarette smoking and cardiovascular disease has been long proven and a correlation between passive smoking and cardiovascular disease is also a factor. Attempts must be made to encourage people to quit smoking, especially amongst the young, if coronary heart disease is to be overcome.

The US Surgeon General has labeled this the leading preventable cause of disease and deaths in the United States”. When smokers take up smoking few smokers actively consider the long-term effects of their actions and the effects of smoking: reactions such as cardiac disease and lung disease, high blood pressure and decreased exercise tolerance levels and, amongst other symptoms of cigarette smoking, the tendency for your blood to clot more easily. It may even be a matter of belief, or simply a lack of belief that such dreadful things as the link between cigarette smoking and cardiovascular diseases could not possibly happen to them. This fatalistic attitude does seem to be prevalent amongst smokers and it is only when realization takes hold that it really could happen to them that these same smokers would be prepared to quit smoking.

There are a number of independent risk factors known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Highest on this list is cigarette smoking and tobacco smoking with high blood pressure, less physical activity other important risk factors. With smoking so prevalent, heart disease really is a significant risk to a large portion of the population, especially amongst the younger population and those under the age of 50. When there is a family history of heart disease, the effects of smoking further increases the risk as it decreases the good cholesterol that is present in a person’s body. If people were aware that studies carried out on cigarette smoking provide good evidence that this is an important risk factor of developing strokes. It is not just the link between cigarette smoking and cardiovascular disease that poses a risk, but the damage that can be caused to a smoker’s cerebrovascular system, increased many times in women who are taking oral contraceptives.

Pipe smokers and cigar smokers have been shown to be at less risk than smokers as the relationship between cigarette smoking and cardiovascular disease is particularly prevalent. It has been suggested that this is probably due pipe smokers and cigar smokers rarely inhaling. Another factor for this lower incidence between the effects of smoking a pipe and cardiovascular disease is that less research has been done to establish any specific correlation. On the other side of the coin, however, there is passive smoking. This is an environmental hazard recognized so well now that the whole of the United Kingdom now bans smoking within public buildings and public places.

The effects of smoking by default is a largely debated issue although a consensus of agreement does acknowledge up to 69,600 premature deaths every year are caused directly from secondhand smoke and a good reason for parents to quit smoking. The correlation between cigarette smoking and cardiovascular disease has been irrevocably established and the majority of people, including a vast army of smokers themselves, agree that smoking does cause harm and attempts should continue to reduce the amount people smoke and to curtail the numbers of smokers as much as possible.


Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com 

Smoking Statistics "Some Alarming Facts and Stats on Smoking Acts!

By: sturat.mitchel

Smoking stats indicate that on an annual basis, in the United States, there are in excess of 2.4 million deaths. Out of these, over 440,000 could well be preventable. These are the result of premature deaths attributed to cigarette smoking. One of the reasons for this is the chronic illnesses that smokers are more susceptible to illnesses that develop from a build-up of fatty plaques in the arteries, better known as arthrosclerosis. Obstructive pulmonary disease and various kinds of cancer are also now known to be caused as the direct result of smoking. Whilst the overall number of people who smoke is falling, young people are taking it up in greater numbers despite the bans of advertising of cigarettes and the campaigns aimed directly at young people to either stop smoking or to not start in the first place. Smoking facts that have been collected indicate that more than 80% of people start smoking before they reach the age of 19.

Two interesting but rather shocking smoking facts reveal that if you take a person who starts smoking on their 19th birthday and who smokes their way through 20 cigarettes a day for the next twenty years, at today’s prices that person would have smoked their way through £37,000 which is enough, in many locations in Britain, to purchase 50% of a house. If a person continues to smoke they not only can expect to live up to 12 years less than a non-smoking counterpart, but they run the risk of a 50% higher risk of dying prematurely. Smoking stats show that, in the UK, around 2,700 people per year in the 20 to 64 year age group die from passive smoking and, in those over the age of 65 years, an additional 8,000 people are killed from passive smoking. Continuing with the passive smoking theme, in children who live in households where parents smoke, 17,000 under the age of 5 years of age are, each year, admitted to hospital with chest-related illnesses.

The smoke from tobacco contains a number of substances injurious to health, with at least 60 of these known to cause cancer. As a result of some of these poisonous substances being smoked, a 40 year old smoker’s skin often resembles that of a non-smoker at least 20 years older than them. Other smoking facts reveal that, from a single cigarette, 4,000 chemicals are entering your body. One of these chemicals is the solvent, acetone which is used as a nail polish remover. Another chemical is ammonia which is added to cigarettes to enhance the flavor. Ammonia is known within medical circles to make a person more susceptible to viral illnesses and to aggravate bronchial conditions.

Ammonia also makes nicotine more addictive. Other chemicals include benzene, cadmium [a highly poisonous metal], carbon monoxide, formaldehyde [a known carcinogen], lead, nicotine, shellac [a kind of wood varnish], and hydrogen cyanide [known to be one of the most toxic substances]. This list is not exclusive and there is a far longer list, but these few are enough to give an indication as to the toxic nature of a single cigarette. Smoking stats aside, it is hardly surprising, given just these few smoking facts, that so many people’s lives are truncated prematurely, just because they are smokers. It is even sadder in the realm of smoking stats that so many people who have never smoked can have their lives cut short just from passive smoking.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

Smoking Cessation Laser Therapy – #1 Strategy For People Who Seriously Want To Quit Smoking

Smoking Cessation Laser Therapy – #1 Strategy For People Who Seriously Want To Quit Smoking

Submitted By: Phil Warren, A.I.I.P.,C.L.T.

A key strategy for living a longer, stronger, prolonged, healthier life comes as no surprise — don't smoke. If you're a smoker, you're simply more likely to die prematurely — from heart or lung disease. Scientific facts prove that smoking can take more than 10 years off your life. But there's good news. Quitting now means health benefits can start in just minutes, and your risk of heart disease is cut in half in about a year. Now, the question to be asked is: How serious are you in wanting to quit smoking?

There’s real hope for people who seriously want to stop smoking.

For more than 30 years now people all over the world have been helped with their addictions using a simple pain and drug free solution, yet it is still widely unknown in the United States. It’s a solution that has no reported side effects and is very relaxing.

Laser Therapy or LLLT (low level laser therapy) uses a cold laser on various meridian points of the body to produce endorphins. Endorphins are the feel good chemical that the body naturally produces when you do something pleasurable. That increase in endorphin levels, helps minimize cravings that one might feel during the first days after one quits smoking, or during a weight loss program to help reduce sugar / food cravings. It’s also a highly effective way to reduce stress. Most people after having laser therapy of this type report a calmness and reduction in stress levels.

The problem with the quit smoking patches and drugs sold or prescribed in the marketplace.

Until now, drugs that purport to help you quit smoking have largely ignored the root of the problem Nicotine -- the chemical that keeps you hooked to those insidious packs of cigarettes and unless you rid your body of that nasty chemical as quickly as possible the success of any Smoking Cessation treatment is reduced dramatically. This is why LLLT professionals also suggest a simple yet effective detoxification regime that includes vitamins, minerals and liquids to help rid the body of toxins such as nicotine. The vitamins and minerals in this detoxification program are readily available natural products that have been in use for many, many years and are now combined in a unique way to help rid the body of nicotine.

In conjunction with the laser therapy and detoxification program a relaxation CD is usually provided to help people keep calm and reduce stress a reason many people give as to why they started smoking in the first place or why they are unable to stop.

Studies from Asia, Canada and the United Kingdom are producing quite remarkable success rates and the emphasis on Nicotine detoxification is providing a long-term solution to this life threatening addiction.

However, this therapy is by no means a magic bullet, it takes a willingness and determination on the part of the smoker to stick with the two week detoxification program, make permanent but simple lifestyle changes and of course the desire to stop.


Published At: www.Isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=66431&ca=Medicines+and+Remedies

Smoking: Harmful to non smokers too

Warning! Cigarette smoking is harmful to your life is a label plastered or use elders term, ’encasted’ on cigarette packets whenever Hamisi, Ngonyani, Kulthum, Chacha, Asumpta or Mwanahamisi buys Sweet Menthol, Sportsman, Embassy or any other industrial cigar seemed not aware of it.

Countries have been banning Cigar smoking in public places to ’’save’’ second rate smokers from inhaling smoke and maybe nicotine puked out by these smokers in confined places.

But, what beats many people including the sight of leading health professionals and consultants burning their lungs with the stuff, before they start facing the un-ending fire that is awaiting the son and daughters of man as pictured in the religious circles.

In very rare cases, almost none to be precise, if am not far from the truth, has the medical authorities declared their stand on cigar smoking.

Industrialists have been promoting the sale of the stuff, in the recent months when the Jamaican Shaggy was in the country; a certain cigarette company was in the press for rewarding its smokers for preferring a particular brand of cigar.

Old habit, it’s said, die-hard. But sometimes it takes a change of such habits to improve one’s health and thus living longer. Smoking is one of them.

The UK government, for example three-year one-billion-pound proposals on public health was once designed to promote ’’informed choice’’ on individual health.

The paper proposed a ban on smoking in public enclosed places and television adverts on junk food and alcoholic drinks targeting children. Further it proposed to cajole patients into healthier behavior.

Analysts, especially smokers claim the money saved will be ”many times that spent on the campaign’’. This is because the world has finally realized the strong link between behaviour and health.

For example, I know just as you know that a decline in smoking in developed countries has significantly reduced deaths resulting from lung cancer and coronary heart disease over the past few decades.

To veer of a bit, talking to a Britton John Ford, an Economist: ”Britons are becoming fatter and fatter everyday.

In 1980s, 8 percent of the women were obese compared to 24 per cent in 2001. It is a very worrying trend in children in 1996, 9.6 per cent of them, between 2-10 years, were obese compared to15.5 percent in 2002,’’

I came to a conclusion that there will be an increase in expenditure on health and disease and a decrease in life expectancy if remedial action is not taken, and urgently so worldwide.

And Tanzanians appear headed in the direction of the Britons.
By changing diet toward reducing fat, salt, sugar and roast meat to suitable lavas, Tanzanians will forestall expenditure on health in the present and future lives.

Surprisingly, it is in the lower social classes that inequality is clearly visible. It is in this group that smoking is concentrated.

It is not surprising to find a significant proportion of obese urban women among the bottom social classes.

Smoking is the most important preventable cause of illness and premature death in Western Europe and North America, according to studies. Our case is no different if we eliminate HIV/Aids and Malaria.

Evidence that cigarette smoking causes lung cancer has been solid and unequivocal. Nicotine, a psychoactive drug that occurs naturally in tobacco, accounts for 95 per cent of the addiction causing content of each cigarette smoked.

The most disastrous effect of nicotine is its addictive impact. Susceptibility of teenagers to perceived peer pressure and their tendency to experiment lures them into this unhealthy habit.

Adults smoke for relaxation or enhancing energy, depending on their emotional needs. Some do so for pleasure and as a way of dealing with anger or anxiety.

Smokers should take advantage of available professional help and ubiquitous anti-smoking campaigns and cession clinics to beat the habit.

For those who must continue smoking, it is important to use diet to beat some of its long-term effect on health.

A smoker’s diet should be able to eliminate nicotine and other poison from the body, repair the damage this causes as well as reduce the desire to smoke.

Water, abundantly consumed, can facilitate the elimination of nicotine and other toxins in the body through urine.

Fruits provide important phytochemicals (plant-based substances) and anti-oxidant vitamins that neutralize some of the poisons in tobacco. They also increase urine production and eliminate waste product and toxins.

Vegetables are rich in minerals and vitamins. Carotenoids protect cells of the bronchial walls, while garlic and onions, which are rich in sulfurated essences, reduce the desire to smoke.

Article SOURCE: Guardian

Health benefits of smoking

Some studies have discovered health benefits correlated with smoking. These studies observed a reduction in the occurrence of some diseases, but all such studies stressed that the benefits of smoking did not outweigh the risks.

Several types of "Smoker's Paradoxes", i.e. cases where smoking appears to have specific beneficial effects, have been observed; often the actual mechanism remains undetermined. For instance, recent studies suggest that smokers require less frequent repeated revascularization after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Risk of ulcerative colitis has been frequently shown to be reduced by smokers on a dose-dependent basis; the effect is eliminated if the individual stops smoking. Smoking appears to interfere with development of Kaposi's sarcoma. a possible reduction in breast cancer among women carrying the very high risk BRCA gene, although overall risk is increased preeclampsia,

A plausible mechanism of action in these cases may be the nicotine in tobacco smoke acting as an anti-inflammatory agent and interfering with the disease process.

In mice, studies have shown nicotine can reduce the amount of DOI-induced head twitches (meant to model tics) related to Tourette's Syndrome[citation needed].

A protective effect of current smoking has been found in Parkinson's disease, although the authors stated that it was more likely that the movement disorders which are part of Parkinson's disease prevented people from being able to smoke than that smoking itself was protective, and personality differences may play a role[60]

Evidence on a possible protective effect of smoking on Alzheimer's Disease is mixed, with some studies finding decreased and some increased[61] [62] likelihood of developing the disease. A recent review concluded that the apparent decrease in risk may be simply due to the fact that smokers tend to die before reaching the age at which Alzheimer's normally occurs. "Differential mortality is always likely to be a problem where there is a need to investigate the effects of smoking in a disorder with very low incidence rates before age 75 years, which is the case of Alzheimer's disease", it stated, noting that smokers are only half as likely as non-smokers to survive to the age of 80.

A plausible explanation for these cases may be the effect of nicotine, a cholinergic stimulant, decreasing the levels of acetylcholine in the smoker's brain; Parkinson's disease occurs when the effect of dopamine is less than that of acetylcholine. Opponents counter by noting that consumption of pure nicotine may be as beneficial as smoking without the risk.

Considering the high rates of physical sickness and deaths among persons suffering from schizophrenia, one of smoking's short term benefits is its temporary effect to improve alertness and cognitive functioning in that disease. It has been postulated that the mechanism of this effect is that schizophrenics have a disturbance of nicotinic receptor functioning.

Ancient Wisdom: Using Acupuncture To Stop Smoking

Those smokers who have failed to quit with help from all the nicotine substitutes, or have gone cold turkey, or even tried hypnosis to lick their smoking habit without success may be thinking they have run out of luck. But the ancient Chinese practice of acupuncture which is used to treat disease by restoring the body’s energy balance is no being offered as an aid in breaking the nicotine habit.

The Effects of Smoking
Traditonal Chinese medicine teaches that the human body is filled with the vital force Qi; the heat from tobacco smoke will, which is also a form of energy, warms and stimulates any dormant Qi. Having the Q1 stimulated gives the smoker what is commonly referred to as the “nicotine high”, a dopamine–induced mellowing followed by an adrenaline rush.

But the effects are only temporary; the Q1 returns to its dormant state, and the smoker develops cravings to light up and get the Q1 moving again. Further problems arise when the heat from the cigarette smoke damages the healthy “yin” state of the lungs, and lungs which cannot perform properly lead to other physical imbalances.

Using Acupuncture To Stop Smoking
An acupuncturist uses acupuncture to stop smoking by inserting several long thin needles in to the patient’s skin in prescribed parts of the body. The areas treated with acupuncture to stop smoking will be those related to the lungs, to clear them of smoke-related damage; the autonomic nervous system, to reduce cravings, and the liver, to detoxify the entire body from the toxins related to cigarette smoking.

The goal of using acupuncture to stop smoking is to calm the patient both physically and emotionally, eliminating his or her need for the effects of nicotine. Some practitioners of Western medicine believe that any positive effects of using acupuncture to stop smoking come from the brain releasing endorphins in response to the needle insertion. Endorphins are the body’s natural pain killers and if using acupuncture to stop smoking actually does increase their production, it might reduce nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

In 2006, however, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews published a comprehensive overview of more that a dozen research studies on the effectiveness of using acupuncture to stop smoking. The combined data found that using acupuncture to stop smoking was more effective in the early stages of quitting than trying to go cold turkey, but made little difference in the number of smokers who were able to kick the habit for good.

Many doctors will recommend using acupuncture to stop smoking and complementing it with other therapies, like behavior modification. If using acupuncture to stop smoking gives smokers even the slightest edge while withdrawing from nicotine, then it certainly deserves a place along side the gums and patches!

Parental smoking

Children of smoking parents are more likely to smoke than children with non-smoking parents. One study found that parental smoking cessation was associated with less adolescent smoking, except when the other parent currently smoked.A current study tested the relation of adolescent smoking to rules regulating where adults are allowed to smoke in the home. Results showed that restrictive home smoking policies were associated with lower likelihood of trying smoking for both middle and high school students.


Articel Source : http://en.wikipedia.org

Beneficial effects of smoking

Tobacco has sometimes been reported to have some positive health effects, presumably due to the effects of nicotine on the nervous system. Most notably, some studies have found that patients with Alzheimer's Disease are more likely not to have smoked than the general population, which has been interpreted to suggest that smoking offers some protection against Alzheimer's. However, the research in this area is limited and the results are mixed. Some studies show that smoking increases the risk of Alzheimer's Disease. A recent review of the available scientific literature concluded that the apparent decrease in Alzheimer risk may be simply due to the fact that smokers tend to die before reaching the age at which Alzheimer normally occurs. "Differential mortality is always likely to be a problem where there is a need to investigate the effects of smoking in a disorder with very low incidence rates before age 75 years, which is the case of Alzheimer's disease", it stated, noting that smokers are only half as likely as non-smokers to survive to the age of 80.

Some studies have found that smoking is associated with:

* A protective effect of current smoking in Parkinson's disease,although the authors stated that it was more likely that the movement disorders which are part of Parkinson's disease prevented people from being able to smoke than that smoking itself was protective.
* A protective effect in ulcerative colitis, although it increases the risk of Crohn's disease, the other form of inflammatory bowel disease.
* A reduced risk of Kaposi's sarcoma.
* There is some evidence for decreased rates of endometriosis in infertile women, although other studies have found that smoking increases the risk in infertile women. There is little or no evidence of a protective effect in fertile women.
* Some preliminary data from 1996 suggested a reduced incidence of fibroids, but overall the evidence is unconvincing.
* There is limited evidence that it reduces the incidence of hypertension during pregnancy, but not when the pregnancy is with more than one baby (i.e. it has no effect on twins etc.). Smoking does, however, increase the likelihood of almost every other pregnancy-related health risk to both mother and child, and is the single most preventable cause of illness and death among mothers and infants.[54]
* A very large percentage of schizophrenics smoke tobacco as a form of self medication.


Artile Source : http://en.wikipedia.org

Effects on the heart

Smoking contributes to the risk of developing heart disease. All smoke contains very fine particulates that are able to penetrate the alveolar wall into the blood and exert their effects on the heart in a short time.

Inhalation of tobacco smoke causes several immediate responses within the heart and blood vessels. Within one minute the heart rate begins to rise, increasing by as much as 30 percent during the first 10 minutes of smoking. Carbon monoxide in tobacco smoke exerts its negative effects by reducing the blood’s ability to carry oxygen.

Smoking tends to increase blood cholesterol levels. Furthermore, the ratio of high-density lipoprotein (the “good” cholesterol) to low-density lipoprotein (the “bad” cholesterol) tends to be lower in smokers compared to non-smokers. Smoking also raises the levels of fibrinogen and increases platelet production (both involved in blood clotting) which makes the blood viscous. Carbon monoxide binds to haemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying component in red blood cells), resulting in a much stabler complex than haemoglobin bound with oxygen or carbon dioxide--the result is permanent loss of blood cell functionality. Blood cells are naturally recycled after a certain period of time, allowing for the creation of new, functional erythrocytes. However, if carbon monoxide exposure reaches a certain point before they can be recycled, hypoxia (and later death) occurs. All these factors make smokers more at risk of developing various forms of arteriosclerosis. As the arteriosclerosis progresses, blood flows less easily through rigid and narrowed blood vessels, making the blood more likely to form a thrombosis (clot). Sudden blockage of a blood vessel may lead to an infarction (e.g. stroke). However, it is also worth noting that the effects of smoking on the heart may be more subtle. These conditions may develop gradually given the smoking-healing cycle (the human body heals itself between periods of smoking), and therefore a smoker may develop less significant disorders such as worsening or maintenance of unpleasant dermatological conditions, e.g. eczema, due to reduced blood supply. Smoking also increases blood pressure and weakens blood vessels.

Article Source : http://en.wikipedia.org

Smoking Kills! What More Damaging Effects Of Smoking Do You Want?

Smoking kills! What more damaging effect do you want? A majority of smokers will frankly admit that they wish to give up smoking and somewhere in the past they had given up. But there is also a stubborn tribe of smokers who are not at all willing to admit the harmful effects of smoking!

Enter a conversation:

Sir Winston Churchill (the late former Prime Minister of Great Britain) was a chain smoker of cigars, lived up to the age of 85 years!

‘If he had not smoked, he would have lived up to 120 years,’ said the anti-smoking lobby. ‘What is the use of his living up to that age?’ said the smoking lobby! Die hard habits! Die hard arguments!

Who gains from your smoking, except the Finance Minister? In every budget, he tries to crush you, and the smoker is just not bothered! He cries for a while, only to forget everything soon. The smokers as well as the industry thrive!

Statistically speaking, it is scientifically proven that tobacco smoke contains over 4000 poisonous chemicals. The number and varieties of cancer it generates is in hundreds. Smoking damages practically every part of the human body, and heart takes the maximum pounding! Want proof? Count the number of ever-increasing cancer hospitals. Treating cancer has become a large-scale industry!

Just five decades ago, heart attacks used to be a rare phenomenon! The mixture of nicotine and carbon dioxide increases the rate of blood pressure and strains all parts of the body, the heart to be specific. How long can the heart tolerate this unbearable pressure? And one day, when it says that ’enough is enough’, the well-wishers of that human being, summon the ambulance and take him to the most unwanted place— the hospital!

To some hard-smokers, living death awaits at the far end of life! Smoking initially reduces and at a later stage cuts off oxygen supply to hands and limbs and the smokers will have to live through the agony of their limbs amputated!

The long puffs that a smoker takes and the attractive, designer coils that he sends in the air, may look attractive, but what about self-inflicted damage is his action leading to? Tar in the cigarette coats your lungs like soot in a chimney and sends a cordial invitation to cancer! You drag the puff deeper into your lungs for the joy and adventure of it, and the rotting process of the heart starts!

Smoking is a slow way to die, there is no other alternative or option. It is a well known fact that heart diseases and strokes are very common among the smokers. Smoking’s contribution to heart attacks is maximum! To lung cancers too!

Are you happy or sorry? A foundation stone is being laid for a new cancer hospital!

By: Ashish Jain
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

Smoking Greatly Increases The Risk For Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the most deadly of all cancers. It is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women, according to the American Cancer society (ACS). More people die of this than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. The ACS predicts that in 2007 there will be about 213,380 new cases. Of this number, about 160,390 people will die.

Sadly, this can be prevented if people would stop smoking. Smoking is the root cause of eight out of 10 lung cancer cases diagnosed in the United States. The risk for getting this increases if a person has been smoking more than a pack of day for several years.

The risk is lowered if the person stops smoking before lung cancer is developed. Stopping smoking will allow the tissue to slowly return to normal.

And it is not just cigarettes that increase the risk. Cigar and pipes are also likely to increase the risks. Second hand smoke is just as dangerous. If your husband or wife smokes, you have a 30 percent greater risk of developing lung cancer than a person with a husband or wife that does not smoke.

However there are other risk factors, according to the AMS. They are:

* Exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma, another type of cancer that can begin in the lining of the lungs, is also linked to asbestos.
* Arsenic, which is often found in drinking water.
* Exposure to radon, which is found in the soil. Radon is odorless, colorless and is invisible to the naked eye.
* If you smoke marijuana, you may not know that marijuana cigarettes have more tar than regular cigarettes.
* If you have had a family member who has suffered from lung cancer, you are at a higher risk for being diagnosed yourself.
* Follow your mom’s advice and eat your fruits and vegetables. A diet that is low in fruits and vegetables may increase your risk.

Most often people do not know they have it until it has spread. Early diagnosis increases your chance of surviving. According to the ACS, the most common symptoms are:

* A cough that does not go away
* Chest pain, often made worse by deep breathing
* Hoarseness
* Weight loss and loss of appetite
* Bloody or rust-colored sputum (spit or phlegm)
* Shorhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.giftness of breath
* Infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia that keep coming back
* Wheezing

According to the ACS, there are two types of lung cancer. Non-small cell is the most common type, accounting for about 85 percent. Both types of usually begin on the bronchi, even though in some cases tumors may being elsewhere in the lungs.

Treatment for lung cancer can include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Your personal physician can advise you on the best treatments.
By: Riley Hendersen

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

Row over passive smoking effect

A study suggesting the damaging effect of passive smoking on health may have been overstated has sparked a furious row.

The study, funded in part by the tobacco industry and published in the British Medical Journal, concludes that the link between environmental tobacco smoke and coronary heart disease and lung cancer may be considerably weaker than generally believed.

However, the American Cancer Society, whose data was used, has expressed serious misgivings about the conclusions.
And anti-smoking campaigners have condemned the the research as "biased" and "unreliable".
The researchers, James Enstrom of the University of California and Geoffrey Kabat of New Rochelle in New York, analysed data on 118,000 people who took part in a 40-year cancer prevention study in California.

In particular, they focused on 35,500 people who had never smoked, but who had a spouse who did.
The researchers found exposure to environmental tobacco smoke was not significantly associated with death from coronary heart disease or lung cancer.

A spokesman for the American Cancer Society told the BBC the research was "inaccurate and unreliable".
But, as expected, active cigarette smoking was confirmed as a strong risk factor for coronary heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The researchers say their findings suggest estimates that passive smoking may increase the risk of coronary heart disease by as much as 30% are probably inaccurate.

However, they do accept that a small effect cannot be ruled out.
He said the last time the society checked to see whether the people who took part in the study were still smoking was 1972.

So, it was possible that many people had kicked the habit at any time during the last 26 years of the study, which finished in 1998.
And those who did continue to smoke may well puff on a cigarette outside their house away from their spouse.

Biased research

The UK anti-smoking charity Action on Smoking and Health condemned the BMJ for publishing a "biased" piece of research.
Research manager Amanda Sandford said the authors of the study appeared to be deliberately downplaying the findings to suit the tobacco industry.
She said: "Questions will inevitably be asked about the decision to publish research conducted by scientists in the pay of the tobacco industry.

"This could be very damaging as it will be used by industry lobbyists to argue against laws to ban smoking in public places and workplaces.
"We would urge policy makers not to be swayed by this study but to respect the reputable science that has already shown passive smoking to be a killer."

The BMJ said funding for the study had proved impossible to obtain from other sources.
In a statement about the two authors of the research, the journal said: "They are both lifelong non-smokers whose primary interest is an accurate determination of the health effects of tobacco."

"The decision to publish a paper is only taken after careful consideration and following a strict submission process which includes peer review.

"It is inevitable that some research may at times be regarded as controversial."

In an accompanying BMJ editorial, Professor George Davey Smith, of the University of Bristol, argues that the impact of passive smoking remains under dispute.

He says it is difficult to measure the impact of environmental smoke with any degree of precision, and thus there is a high risk of misleading findings.

Lifestyle and weather

Dr Ian Campbell, President of the British Thoracic Society, said: "Medical evidence has conclusively shown that passive smoking has a detrimental effect on children's lungs and there is also good evidence that suggests that passive smoking worsens the effects of asthma.

"Further research into the effects of passive smoking on lung health are needed and should be encouraged by governmental and other funding agencies."

Dr Campbell added that the findings of a study carried out in California would not necessarily be replicated elsewhere.

"In California the weather is good, and many people have an outdoors lifestyle. It may be a little different if you live in a tenement block in East London or Berlin."

Dr Vivienne Nathanson, the BMA's Head of Science and Ethics said: "It would be wrong to be swayed by one flawed study funded by the tobacco industry when set against the studies and numerous expert reviews that demonstrate that passive smoking kills."

But Tim Lord, chief executive of the Tobacco Manufacturers' Association, said: "The debate on environmental tobacco smoke is far from over, contrary to what many people say.

"Taking the evidence as a whole, the inevitable conclusion is that claims made about the potentially harmful effects of passive smoking have indeed been overstated."

Analysis of urine samples has indicated that people who are married to smokers are exposed to around 6% of the dose that is received by an active smoker.

Article Source : http://news.bbc.co.uk

How Your Smoking Affects Your Loved Ones

Your cigarette, cigar or pipe smoking doesn't only have an affect on your health. The U.S. Surgeon General's report "The Health Consequences of Smoking," released in 2004, states it has been proven that smoking (or living with a person who smokes) can cause disease in nearly every organ of the body, in men as well as women. This means that every time you "light up" you are potentially damaging the health of your children, your spouse and your loved ones.

It is a fact that second hand smoke (also known as environmental tobacco smoke or ETS) is a major cause of children's illness. As children have developing lungs and have higher breathing rates than adults they run the greatest risk of health effects. In children under the age of 18 second hand smoke has been linked with pneumonia, lower respiratory tract infections, upper respiratory tract irritation, increased severity of asthma and asthmatic symptoms. It has been associated with sudden infant death syndrome, middle ear infections, upper respiratory tract infections (colds and sore throats) and cancers and leukemia. Japanese researchers just released a study that suggests that second hand smoke may affect childrens gums. 70% of the children of smokers had a brownish or black pigmentation of their gums.

Statistics show that approximately 3,000 non-smoking adults die of lung cancer each year as a result of second hand smoke. Second hand smoke has been linked to nasal sinus cancer, cancer of the cervix, breast and bladder. Second hand smoke also causes an increased risk of death from heart disease.

If you must smoke, it is essential that you protect your loved ones, especially children. Don't smoke in your home. If you must smoke, smoke outside. Do not smoke in your car when your children are with you. Make sure that childcare providers and others who work in your home or around your children do not smoke.

There are many publications available to you free online that provide information on environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and it's affects on your family. Visit the US Environmental Protection Agency at http://www.epa.gov/smokefree/publications.html for a free booklet.

The fact is that it's not only your own health at risk when you smoke. You quitting will make your loved ones healthier, and happier too.


By: Kelly Gillis
Article Source: www.iSnare.com

The Effects Of Smoking On Your Appearance

The Surgeon General of the United States has stated "Smoking cessation (stopping smoking) represents the single most important step that smokers can take to enhance the length and quality of their lives." It may also be the most important step that you can take to improve the quality of your appearance. In 1985 the term "smokers face" was added to the medical dictionary. A study done in Norway in 1998 cited that women emphasize the effect of smoking on physical appearance as a general motivation to quit, whereas men mentioned general health benefits.

I have to say truthfully that vanity had something to do with my decision to quit smoking. I had started smoking at the age of 16 when I started dating a smoker. Unfortunately, when the relationship ended the smoking didn't. I was left with a habit that would haunt me.

It was in the late 70's when I worked in a medical office where we administered chemotherapy to cancer patients. I knew more about the health consequences than most people witnessing it first hand on a daily basis. I even had an ashtray at my desk and smoked in the office. Like most smokers I was in a state of denial. I was in my early 20's and felt invincible. I said to myself "it won't happen to me". Besides, I enjoyed my cigarette and cup of coffee in the morning, and nothing could beat relaxing with a cigarette after a good meal. It seemed all my friends smoked too.

I was in my mid-30's when I met a man whose parents were smokers. When I looked at his mother's aged and horribly lined face I thought "Oh my God, that could be me in twenty more years." Seeing her made an impression on me that I'll never forget. She was obviously a long time smoker with the tell-tale vertical lines all around her mouth. She had a grayish tinge to her skin, which was as thin as it could be. She looked a full 10 years older than her true age. Her fingers were actually stained yellow by nicotine. It was a wake up call for me.

There is no denying the negative effects of smoking on your appearance. Smoking dries out the skin. Smoking causes blood vessel constriction of the top layers of skin which reduces the oxygen levels which leads to a dull complexion. Due to this constriction of blood vessels and poor circulation a smokers skin is thinner than a non-smokers skin. It has been shown in studies to be up to 40% thinner. Smoking reduces the level of collagen in the skin which leads to loss of elasticity and the quick formation of lines and wrinkles.

Of course you have everything to gain trying to quit smoking aside from just the improvement in your physical appearance. Another report released by the U.S. Surgeon General in 2004 entitled "The Health Consequences of Smoking," revealed that smoking (or living with a person who smokes) can cause disease in nearly every organ of the body, in men as well as women.

I was lucky that I successfully kicked the habit almost ten years ago. I do have a trace of those tell-tale lip lines and although you may not notice them, I do. I have spent a fortune over the years in skin care products. I'll never have the face I would have had if I had never started smoking. But today I am a much happier and more importantly, a much healthier person for having stopped.

Whatever your reason, vanity or health - just quit!


By: Catherine Olivia

Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Effect Of Smoking On Mother's Womb

Smoking is much dangerous for a pregnant woman than any other person. Smoking affects your unborn child. If you are going to plan your family or are already pregnant, then you need to concentrate on facts related to smoking. A Mother always wants to give a healthy and fit life to her baby. But continuing with your smoking are you really fulfilling your wish?

When you take a puff then the smoke that you inhale goes into your baby's body. It affects his weight resulting into less resistant body. Smoking affects his height too. Such babies whose mothers had smoked during their pregnancies are generally short in height. This possibility is much less in case of the women who smoke a full pack during pregnancy. At this stage even no physician suggests to continue this habit. Baby's body needs more supply of oxygen to survive in mother's womb. Supply of nicotine deprives a baby to consume his share of oxygen. Such children are not able to adjust socially than children of non smoking mothers.

Studies show that possibility of infant morality is 50 percent higher when the mother smokes than in case of non -smoking mothers. Children of many smokers die of sudden infant death syndrome, or crib death. If pregnant women stop smoking by their fourth month of pregnancy then still they are out of danger zone.

Parenting is a tough job. If you do not sound well in your health then how will you be able to take care of your child? Most women suffer from lung cancer that is a deadly disease. A child always seeks for his mother's shelter. If you want to be there all time for your child, then you need to stop smoking at once.

Passive smokers are more prone to the diseases than chain smokers are. This applies on children also. As a matter of fact, they are too sensitive to problems raised by the passive smoking.

By quitting the smoking you are rendering a new life to your child. You and your child both will enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Quitting smoking is not an easy thing to do for the usual smokers. But alternatives will certainly work for you. There are many support centers that can help you out. Just enroll yourself in them. You can see your health care provider for solutions and suggestions. Your one step to quitting the smoking will lead your unborn to the path of a safe child.


By: Bhikoo Dhiraj
Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Smoking - Dangerous for your Heart

By Shashi Agarwal MD

“Smoking kills. If you're killed, you've lost a very important part of your life.”

Brooke Shields (American actress)

Cigarette smoking is the number one preventable cause of premature deaths in the United States. In the year 2000, it is estimated that 8.6 million Americans had 12.7 million medical conditions that were caused by cigarette smoking. For current smokers, the most prevalent were chronic bronchitis (49%), followed by emphysema (24%). For former smokers, the three most prevalent conditions were chronic bronchitis (26%), emphysema (24%), and previous heart attack (24%). Lung cancer accounted for 1% of all cigarette smoking-attributable illnesses Each year in the United States, approximately 440,000 persons die of a cigarette smoking-attributable illness. This results in 5.6 million years of potential life lost, $75 billion in direct medical costs, and $82 billion in lost productivity.. Smoking is responsible for 30% of all coronary heart disease deaths. Smoking however remains very prevalent, with almost 21 million men and 18 million women continue to smoke. The sad part is that a significant percentage of children continue to take up smoking each year.


“I smoke ten to fifteen cigars a day. At my age I have to hold on to something.” George F. Burns (American comedian 1896-1996). Geoge Burns may have been genetically blessed or just plain lucky. Most people who smoke will see the risk of dying from heart disease go up by almost three times. The risk of stroke will double. Smoking increases blood pressure, accelerates the progression of arteriosclerosis, decreases the good HDL cholesterol, and increases the tendency for the blood to clot. Even after heart bypass surgery, continuing smoking increases the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events. Smokers also suffer from more peripheral arterial disease and aneurysms. Women who smoke and use oral contraceptives increase their risk of heart attack ten fold and increase their risk of strokes and blood clots in the legs


Second hand or passive smoke is also associated with health risks in both children and adults. This environmental tobacco smoke contains a complex mixture of over 4000 chemicals, many toxic and about 40 proven to cause cancer in humans. The EPA estimates that environmental tobaccos smoke causes approximately 3,000 lung cancer and about 37,000 coronary heart disease deaths in nonsmokers each year. Children, exposed to secondhand smoke before and after birth, are at a greater risk of developing high blood pressure, cleft pallets and lips, childhood leukemia, attention deficit disorder and childhood wheezing. Besides Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), second hand smoke is also associated with an increase in acute lower respiratory tract infections, asthma, chronic respiratory symptoms and middle ear infections in children. Adults experience an increased risk of lung cancer, nasal sinus cancer, heart disease mortality, acute and chronic coronary heart disease morbidity and eye and nasal irritation, when exposed to second hand smoke. It also greatly increases the risk of developing metabolic syndrome, both in children and adults. No wonder Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels noted, “Every citizen who stops smoking, or loses a few pounds, or starts managing his chronic disease with real diligence, is caulking a crack for the benefit of us all. “


“Smoking is related to practically every terrible thing that can happen to you. “ Actress Loni Anderson. Smoking does not just damage the cardiovascular system. It can make men infertile and reduce their potency. It causes chronic lung disease like bronchitis and emphysema, and also the irritating chronic cough and increased phlegm production. It increases susceptibility to the flu and increases wrinkling. It has been linked to hearing loss, cataracts, rheumatoid arthritis and many cancers. Pregnant women who smoke face the danger of spontaneous abortion, still birth and sudden infant death syndrome after childbirth.


If you stop smoking, the benefits start almost immediately. The body begins to repair itself almost immediately. Several clinical studies have shown the cessation of smoking results in a substantial decrease in recurrent heart attacks, sudden cardiac death, total coronary heart disease mortality, and ischemic stroke. People who quit smoking cut their risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm in half. Within a few days or weeks, exercise endurance and cardiovascular capacity improve, and the good high density lipoprotein cholesterol increases. Within a year, the risk for most cardiovascular diseases will be cut in half. Within 5 to 15 years after stopping smoking, the risk of having a stroke decreases to the same level as that of someone who never smoked. After 15 smoke free years, the cardiovascular system will be as healthy as of somebody who had never smoked. And the incidence of all smoking related cancers--of the mouth, larynx, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas--decreases.


“The best way to stop smoking is to just stop - no ifs, ands or butts. ”Groucho Marx (American Comedian, Actor and Singer, 1890-1977). Once you are ready to quit smoking, set a quit date. Inform and gather support from friends and relatives. Change your environment that encourages you to smoke. Get rid of all cigarettes and ashtrays in your home, car, and place of work. Do not let people smoke around you or in your home. Learn new skills and behavior and distract yourself from the urge to smoke. Drink lots of water and other fluids. You may also want to join a smoking support group. If you feel like the actress Loni Anderson, who unfortunately experienced, “Once you are hooked, smoking is harder to quit then heroin, “ then you may want to seek professional help. There are several prescription and non-prescription medicines available. Nicotine replacement therapy is available as nicotine patch, gum, nasal spray or inhaler. Non-nicotine therapy includes prescription drugs Zyban and Chantix. Four out of five people who quit smoking may gain an average of about five pounds in weight. The good news is that this usually goes away within a few weeks or months after quitting.
Smokeless tobacco should not be used as an alternative to cigarettes. It is highly addictive and often more difficult to give up. This is because of its high nicotine content. Using smokeless tobacco also increases the risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and stroke.


So quit today. You will not only look younger but smell better. You will also live a better and longer life. And save a lot of money. It has also been said that cancer cures smoking. Perhaps I can add that premature death will definitely cure your smoking. So do not be like Mark Twain (American Humorist, Writer and Lecturer. 1835-1910) “It's easy to quit smoking. I've done it hundreds of times.” Quit once and quit forever.


Dr. Shashi K. Agarwal is a Board Certified Internist and Cardiologist with a private practice in New York City and New Jersey. He is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Holistic Medicine and the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shashi_Agarwal_MD