How to Make Nicotine Replacement Therapy Work for You
November 14th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
Smokers trying to kick the habit are willing to try just about anything to beat the addiction. Of the many options out there, the one most frequently sought is that of nicotine replacement therapy. But understanding nicotine replacement therapy, its different forms, and how to use it properly is essential to its success.
Why is Nicotine Replacement Therapy?
Nicotine replacement therapy is the most commonly used medical approach in smoking cessation. It is intended to help ease the withdrawal of nicotine by temporarily providing the drug by a means other than cigarettes. As a result, nicotine replacement therapy helps reduce physical withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, sleep difficulty, restlessness, and headaches.
As a result of the assistance nicotine replacement therapy provides with coping with the physical symptoms, the smoker is better able to deal with the psychological symptoms of cigarette withdrawal, such as an oral fixation or breaking the habit of smoking in response to specific triggers.
Nicotine replacement therapy is considered to be a safe means for quitting smoking. There are, however, certain side effects that some people experience, such as sinusitis, irritability, palpitations, and breathing problems. In addition, pregnant women and those with endocrine, heart, or circulatory problems may experience other complications. Any individuals falling within these categories should be carefully evaluated and tested by a doctor before beginning any form of nicotine replacement therapy.
Type of Nicotine Replacement Therapy
There are several forms of nicotine replacement therapy currently available. Nicotine gum is the oldest type of nicotine replacement therapy and it can be purchased over the counter. Nicotine inhalers, which are similar to the inhalers used by asthmatics, are another form of nicotine replacement therapy. This form of therapy is available only through prescription. The nicotine patch, which is available over the counter and by prescription, is placed on the skin to provide a constant flow of nicotine. The easy to use nicotine nasal spray, which is only available by prescription, is another option for nicotine replacement therapy.
How to Use Nicotine gum
When using nicotine gum, you need to periodically place the gum between you gums and your cheek in order to let the nicotine get into your bloodstream. It is important to keep from swallowing the nicotine because it results in far less getting into your bloodstream and it can also cause gastrointestinal problems.
If you are a heavy smoker, which means you smoke more than 25 cigarettes per day, you should use the 4 mg strength. A smaller 2 mg dose is recommended for lighter smokers. Even if you do smoke less than 25 cigarettes, however, you might find it necessary to use the stronger dose at first in order to wean yourself down to the lower dosage. When using nicotine gum, you should avoid acidic beverages such as tea, coffee, and fruit juice because they interfere with the nicotine absorption.
How to Use a Nicotine Inhaler
Nicotine inhalers provide a small amount of nicotine with every puff. This makes it necessary to use the inhaler frequently. For some people who are trying to smoke, this is an advantage because it gives them something to do with their hands. The effectiveness of nicotine inhalers, however, decreases in temperatures of 50 degrees or less. It is necessary to avoid acidic beverages in order to obtain the full effect.
How to Use a Nicotine Patch
Nicotine patches are available in both 16 hour and 24 hour dosages. Most commonly, light smokers use the 16 hour version while heavy smokers use the 24 hour patch. Those who have trouble sleeping when using the 24 hour patch also choose to use the 16 hour patch because it is not intended to provide nicotine during the night. Some brands of nicotine patches offer varying strengths of nicotine, as well. This allows you to taper off the amount of nicotine you use in your nicotine replacement therapy.
Some people experience skin irritation from the patch. If this happens to you, you should look at using a lower strength or changing from the 24 hour patch to the 16 hour patch. If this doesnt help, you might also switch brands. If you are unable to resolve the skin irritation and it is very problematic, you should look into one of the other forms of nicotine replacement therapy.
How to Use Nasal Spray
Nasal spray nicotine replacement therapy provides immediate relief from cravings. Some individuals, however, experience side effects such as coughing, sneezing, and runny nose.
No matter which form of nicotine replacement therapy you choose, it is important to also participate in counseling or other methods for dealing with the psychological aspects of cigarette addiction. Nicotine replacement therapy should not be considered the cure all for smoking cessation.For more information on quiting smoking have a look at the quit-smoking-expert
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Silence the Stress of Smoking Cessation � Ten Tips to Help You Cope
November 6th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
You have finally decided to quit smoking, and you feel great! Of course, it is only day one, and at this point it is still easy to feel on top of the world. You know about all the folks who tried and failed to quit, and you have heard the horror stories of grumpy behavior, excessive weight gain, and the knock down, drag out fights with spouses, significant others, and children that accompanied this valiant effort. Looking at your cigarettes, as you crush them into the trash can, it is hard to imagine that a little piece of rolled up paper and some dried plants in the middle could wreak so much havoc in anyones life, but all the stories you have heard are based on truth!
Cigarette smoke contains the highly addictive substance nicotine. This drugs ability to addict its users has been compared to the habit forming agents of heroine and cocaine. Studies have proven that nicotine directly affects the dopamine production in the users body, and the latter is responsible for allowing a body to feel pleasure, comfort ability, and overall physical content. The vicious cycle that many long-term smokers have discovered is the fact that the drug in the long term depresses the brains ability to generate adequate amounts of this substance, and so the smoker will seek to compensate for this shift by introducing greater amounts of nicotine into her or his system. While it may briefly kick start the brain to release more dopamine, it simultaneously causes so much bodily destruction that the effect of the former is negligible in light of the pain and illness generated by the latter. Additionally, the addiction is not simply physical but its severity is also linked to the habits that surround the activity of smoking. The activity is soon associated with certain activities, such as eating, driving, or reading, and a smoker who is trying to kick the habit finds temptations sore whenever she or he engages in any or all of these activities.
While it is good and comforting to know that you will very likely encounter this distress, it does little to silence the stress of smoking cessation, and almost nothing to help you cope with it. To this end, here are ten tips that will make the road to quitting permanently not an easy one to traverse, but most certainly more livable, healthy, and perhaps even a bit more comfortable:
1. No matter what the purists are saying, nicotine replacement therapy, such as the use of the gum or patch, is a good alternative for those who face extreme irritability, anxiety, and even disturbed sleep patterns. Some decry the uses of replacements as weakness, but lets face it, you are trying to quit smoking, this alone makes you strong and determined in your own right!
2. Be aware of the habit that most tempts you to smoke, and change it. Lets say you like to have a cigarette with your evening cupcake in the easy chair. Change the habit by having a different snack (preferably a healthy one, such as some sunflower seeds or pistachios) in a different location, such as the sofa. This activity is not associated with smoking and will thus help you to avoid some temptations.
3. Take up a new hobby, such as the Yoga class you always wanted to go to, the drawing class that held your interest or maybe the evening lecture at the local library. Get out of the house and enjoy new things!
4. It is 3 oclock in the morning and you need help drop a dime! Did you know that there are actually help-lines that are staffed by trained individuals to help quitters deal with the biggest temptations and cravings? Call 1-800-ACS-2345 to get the number for your local counseling service.
5. Enlist support from friends and family. Let them know that you are quitting and that they should absolutely positively not give in when you ask them for a cigarette.
6. Consider hypnosis if all else fails.
7. Acupuncture is another great alternative for those who have a hard time dealing with the cravings.
8. Delay giving in to the urge. Lets say your temptation is acute and you are all but on your way to corner store to buy more cigarettes. Tell yourself to wait for fifteen minutes. While it may appear that you are giving in to your craving, it still leaves you in control and takes off the edge just a bit. Usually this little trick will allow you to occupy yourself for fifteen minutes, and by the time this period has elapsed, the urge has probably lessened considerably.
9. Educate yourself on the process of smoking cessation. And educated quitter is a prepared quitter. Additionally, knowing about the process cuts your stress about whats next.
10. Forgive yourself and get back on the wagon if you fall off. It you give in to temptation dont think it was all for nothing but acknowledge your momentary weakness, find out what made you give in right then and there and avoid this situation in the future.For more information on quiting smoking have a look at the quit-smoking-expert
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You�re not too old To Kick the Habit
September 12th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
Do wish you could stop smoking, but think you’re just too old to kick the habit? Research has proven time and time again that you are never too old to stop smoking. As soon as you rub out your last cigarette, you will begin to experience the health and lifestyle benefits of living without smoking. Here are eight things you should know if you think you might be too old to kick the habit.
1) If you think it’s too late to make a difference, think again. You can always improve your health, and one of the best ways to do that is to stop smoking. Even if you have been smoking for 50 or more years, the effect of quitting can be noted right away. Just 20 minutes after your last cigarette, your body will demonstrate a marked improvement. Your blood pressure and pulse will decrease closer to their normal range. Eight hours after your last cigarette, the nicotine and carbon monoxide in your bloodstream will be cut in half!
2) You will breathe better if you quit smoking. Is anyone ever too old to breathe better? If you enjoy laughing and singing (and who doesn’t?), you can bet that you will once again be able to give a big belly laugh and sing at the top of your lungs once your lungs have been cleared of the mucous and debris left behind by years of smoking. If you are prone to coughs, wheezing, and snoring, stopping smoking will help alleviate these conditions significantly.
3) You will have more energy. Smoking robs your body of breath and life, leaving you feeling sluggish and tired. If you quit smoking, you will have the strength to do the physical activities you want to do, without the strain imposed by smoking.
4) Your risk of getting a heart attack is drastically reduced. Nicotine steals the oxygen from your bloodstream, forcing your heart to work harder. As you age, your risk of getting a heart attack increases. If you don’t want to become part of the statistics, you should seriously consider kicking your smoking habit.
5) You are better prepared to quit. If you have been a lifelong smoker, you probably already have experience with trying to quit. Rather than seeing past experiences as a failure, consider past attempts a learning experience. Why do you think you weren’t able to stop smoking? Make a list of the things that hindered your attempt to stop smoking, and the things you think were most helpful. Make a list of the things you would do if you were trying to quit smoking again. Seek out your physician’s advice on this matter. New products are fast becoming available that can help even the most hardened smoker’s quit successfully.
6) Your health insurance premiums may go down if you quit smoking. With health care at an all time high, being a smoker can get quite expensive if you’re shopping for a good insurance policy. Imagine the money you will save, and the better coverage you will receive, if you quit smoking.
7) Make a list of how your life would improve if you quit smoking. One of the best ways to get truly motivated is to become conscious of the ways smoking affects all aspects of your life. Make a Pro’s and Con’s list. What do you get out of smoking, if anything? What are the things that most bother you about being a smoker? Everybody knows that smoking is harmful on your health and on your wallet. Try to find your own personal reasons and motivations to quit. Are you embarrassed by the smell? Do you fear a heart attack? Do you worry about the effects of second hand smoke on your loved ones? Write all the things that most bother you about being a smoker, and place them in a prominent location where you can see them when the urge to light up strikes.
8) You will feel a sense of pride in quitting. What could be more meritorious than a person who has smoked for most of their life, then quits? Everyone loves hearing about such success stories. Knowing you quit after so many years will provide you with a great source of pride and strength. You may even inspire other lifelong smokers!For more information on quiting smoking have a look at the quit-smoking-expert
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