Sunday, April 27, 2008

Quit smoking tips 40

Dangerous Medical Conditions Caused By Smoking

There are many smoking-related health problems. Long-term cigarette smoking can lead to all kinds of medical conditions, one of which is heart disease. We often hear about heart disease being related to smoking but what exactly is it and how does smoking cause it?

Heart disease often relates to coronary artery disease in this context. Coronary artery disease is a condition where a major blood vessel which leaves the heart with oxygen-rich blood is constricted. This means a clot or closure is more likely and either of these can cause a heart attack. That is where the phrase "having a coronary" comes from.

Being a heavy smoker for a long time increases the odds enormously of that happening to you.

One reason for this is that cigarette smoke contains carbon monoxide, which binds with hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the molecule found in red blood cells which transports oxygen through the body, including to the heart. The less oxygen the heart receives, the more chance of a heart attack.

Nicotine is another substance which reduces blood oxygen and contributes to other potentially harmful conditions. It increases blood clotting which can put you at risk of a heart attack. Nicotine is also responsible for more subtle, dangerous effects. It encourages the growth of fatty deposits on the arteries. This constricts blood flow and hardens the blood vessel.

Smoking decreases the amount of high density lipoprotein, or HDL, which is the "good" type of cholesterol. Losing this encourages fatty deposits to grow. This condition, which is a major factor in heart attack risk, is called atherosclerosis.

If an artery is reduced in diameter, this increases blood pressure, making it more likely that a weakness in the artery wall, or "aneurysm", will rupture. That in turn causes a stroke, when the brain starved of oxygen. This is why you often hear about strokes and heart disease in the same sentence.

If an artery is hardened, it is not so able to withstand the usual stresses and strains of its function. A blood vessel acts like a hose but is different too. A blood vessel carries fluid like a hose but unlike a hose it is on all the time. The fluid can only be carried if there are no holes in the blood vessel. If the blood slows or stops, this can cause immediate health issues, even if it is only a temporary slowing down or stoppage. Tissues need to receive blood constantly, else they quickly die.

Cigarette smoking also has the overall effect of contributing to heart disease. It causes physical effects that lower health. Shortness of breath, reduced oxygen and other effects which make exercise unpleasant and harder. Lifestyle choices associated with smoking reduce overall fitness.

Lack of exercise resulting in increased body fat percentage and weight gain increases the risk of heart attack and heart disease even more. The body is unable to cope with strains which would otherwise be minor. It cannot withstand serious biological shocks when a heart attack occurs. This means the attack is likely to be fatal.

Long term, one pack a day smokers have up to four times the chance of developing coronary heart disease than non-smokers. Quitting immediately improves your odds. Your circulation improves after three months and after a year the odds are half that of a smoker. After five to fifteen years, you have the same odds as someone who has never smoked.

It's never too late to stop smoking.

Get much more information about the dangers of smoking, and why it's a good idea to stop smoking, at http://www.onlinestopsmokingtips.com . Lots of resources to help you quit, encourage you while you are quitting, and more.

Friday, April 25, 2008

Quit smoking tips 39

Are Quit Smoking Pills the Answer I'm Looking For?

If you are like so many people out there, you aren’t pleased with the fact you started smoking. For whatever reasons you began – peer pressure, rebellion, family tradition, stress, etc. – you cannot seem to stop smoking. Now, there is a significant way you can help keep yourself from smoking – by using quit smoking pills.

Chantix is one of the quit smoking pills that is frequently used; its ability to assist smokers in quitting the habit is commended. Chantix (known as Champix in the UK) taken daily is nearly twice as potent as a pill called Zyban when it comes to helping smokers break their habit. This drug is not only able to negate the withdrawal symptoms that are common in those who are quitting smoking – it actually minimizes cravings to the point that a person actually loses interest in lighting up. However, Chantix is said to have some troubling side effects by some. These include hallucinations, anger and other mood swings, bizarre dreams, aggressive behavior, and homicidal or suicidal tendencies. Chantix is still considered one of the most effective quit smoking pills in existence.

Another medication that can be prescribed to smokers who want to stop is Zyban. Zyban is another pill that is often used by those who wish to quit the habit. It is designed to suppress the cravings and urges that smokers get for nicotine. After taking the drug twice daily (while avoiding crushing or chewing the medication), you should see results in about a week. While Zyban can be taken for about 8-12 weeks, you should only take these quit smoking pills with the supervision of a doctor, as there are negative side effects (which can be handled by prescribing other medications to minimize those effects) – and Zyban also doubles as an antidepressant called Wellbutrin.

As has been mentioned above, there can be serious side effects involved with taking medications such as these quit smoking pills. Certainly, when your moods shift, you lash out at people uncharacteristically, your personality goes up and down, and you begin thinking of ending your life or someone else’s, you absolutely must take the possibility of these sorts of things seriously. For these reasons, it is vitally important that you get all the facts from various sources, talk them all over with your physicians, and then make a sound, informed judgment about what you decide to put into our body – even if it’s to quit smoking. There’s no reason to trade the suffering of smoking for any other negative issues.

The good news is that there is even an herbal-based form of quit smoking pills – it’s known as Nicocure. Nicocure comes in two forms: one which you place on the end of your cigarette filter that dilutes much of the tar and nicotine intake from your cigarette; and a patch. The great thing about Nicocure is that it contains no drugs, no nicotine...not even sugar – which is a boost to those with diabetes who also want to shake the smoking habit.

Above all, it’s important you consider quit smoking pills and other remedies for this simple reason: smoking is a major health risk – to you and even to those around you. So make the decision to stop smoking today – you’ll be healthier, and happier.

Matt D Murren owns and operates http://www.quit-smoking-advisers.com - Quit Smoking Pills

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Quit smoking tips 38

How To Stop Smoking Cigarettes - 6 Handy Hints

We all know that it is a good idea to stop smoking cigarettes. We have all been bombarded by the 'health nazis' telling us it is really bad for us and probably, the single most destructive pastime possible for your health. But somehow or other, with all this rational advice about how bad smoking is, we just seem to be unable to stop doing it.

In my opinion, the most important steps in how to stop smoking cigarettes are entirely to do with your attitude.

Firstly, smokers enjoy smoking, or at least they think they do. This is because the effects of nicotine on the brain and the effects of nicotine on hormone levels in your body have progressively re-wired your brain into believing that smoking is enjoyable.

Secondly, if you want to stop smoking cigarettes you must make a genuine decision to stop smoking cigarettes. Most smokers make a halfhearted attempt to stop smoking and often pretty much decide not to succeed before they try to stop. This is a massive handicap and pretty much dooms the smoker to failure.

Thirdly, understanding how to stop smoking also involves accepting a future without cigarettes. Without taking this obvious but often-overlooked point, smokers will always find it difficult to maintain being a non-smoker. If a smoker hasn't considered how they will live without tobacco as part of their life, confronting the future becomes difficult.

Fourthly, accepting that there is a fear of failure as well as a fear of success is another important element of learning how to stop smoking. If you fail, you must accept that some people will look down on you. My analogy for this is that people often behave like crabs in a bucket. The moment you have nearly escaped, there will be one that pulls you back into the bucket. It is just human nature.

Fifthly, making sure you are doing it for yourself is an integral element of how to stop smoking. You can only quit if you are doing it for yourself but you can do it for someone else if you 're-arrange' your reasoning.

For example, if you want to stop smoking for a family member, you have to do it for yourself because you love them, rather than because they love you. If you love someone, you should think "I need to stop smoking to save myself the guilt of causing them the anguish of losing me to a smoking related illness".

Sixthly, learning how to stop smoking is an important thing to understand. You can drive a car pretty easily but you need to learn how to drive a car safely and effectively otherwise you're on a hiding to nothing.

If you have tried to stop smoking before, you will have no doubt found it difficult. Learning all the best techniques and tactics before trying to stop, including changing your overall attitude and mindset, is an important realisation.

Finally, if you are tired of trying to quit smoking using patches, pills and potions AND getting nowhere, maybe you need to try Tom Dainty's Quit Smoking Bible only available at http://quitsmokingbible.com

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Quit smoking tips 37

The Risks of Smoking and Pregnancy

Many years ago, soon-to-be mothers would smoke throughout a pregnancy, having no idea that the tobacco was causing harm to both mother and baby. However, over time significant research has gone into the risks of smoking, specifically when pregnancy is involved. While quitting smoking is tough, remember that it is a decision worth making. After all, you want to ensure you are healthy and that you bring a healthy baby into the world, giving him or her, the best chance at life.

One of the worst things a pregnant woman can do is smoke. It is important to understand why stopping smoking is so vital. For instance, did you know that cigarettes contain literally thousands of chemicals? Even worse, some of the chemicals include lead and cyanide, known compounds that cause cancer. This means that when you smoke, not only are these harmful toxins making their way through your body, but the body of your unborn child as well. The result is babies are often born too early, they are underweight, and unfortunately, some die prior to birth or shortly thereafter.

Obviously, you want to do everything possible during your pregnancy to ensure the health and safety of your beloved baby. Knowing the dangers associated with smoking and pregnancy is a step in the right direction. Everything that goes into your body from food to beverages to medicine to cigarette smoke will be passed on to the baby. Therefore, he or she is being robbed of needed oxygen and nutrients, while being exposed to toxins.

You see, cigarettes contain both carbon monoxide and nicotine. These harmful chemicals go into battle as a team against you and the baby, reducing oxygen supply by narrowing the body's blood vessels, which includes all the vessels in the umbilical cord that nourishes the fetus through the developmental months. Even worse, the red blood cells, which work by carrying the oxygen, will begin to accumulate carbon monoxide molecules. Soon, oxygen is limited to such a degree that the baby suffers.

By smoking during pregnancy, you are increasing the risk of having a baby weighing 5.5-pounds or less, or even a premature birth by as much as 50%. However, the most devastating effect that smoking has on pregnancy is that the risk of a stillbirth is more than doubled. We know that you love and want your unborn baby. With this information, you can see just how critical quitting smoking is. If you are trying but finding that you cannot get past the horrific cravings, you should talk to your doctor about possible aids.

One option that you might mention to your doctor is a product called NicoCure. Made from 100% natural ingredients, you do not have to worry about putting additional chemicals into the body, ones that would be passed to the baby. However, even natural herbs should be approved before being taken. If your doctor says it is fine to buy NicoCure, you will be provided with a money-back guarantee, one that promises you will quit within a 30-day period. We know you can do it, for the sake of you and your new baby's health.

Of course, the best option would be to stop smoking prior to pregnancy. If you are planning for a baby, then buy NicoCure ahead of time so by the time you conceive, you have the smoking habit behind you. However, if you smoke and discover you are pregnant, the sooner you can do something about this habit the better off in the end. Of all the decisions you have made in your life, the option to quit smoking for the sake of your pregnancy is one of the best, one you will never regret making.

Brandon Ryan has been smoke free for over a year now. Find out how much money you've spent smoking with the Stop Smoking Calculator. Or learn more about how to Stop Smoking Within 2 Weeks.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Quit smoking tips 36

Willpower is the Key if You Want to Stop Smoking

We are simply told "just stop". Stop smoking that is. If only it were that easy right? But the fact of the matter is that both psychological changes and psychological issues play a role in any program to stop smoking. It is not even easy for the most determined of people to flip a switch and stop smoking.

However, the commitment to quit has to be part of any program. On average, only 6% will be successful in quitting during their first attempt. Finding the willpower to make the decision a permanent thing is the key to success.

We all make small choices in any area of life. However, the big choices are rarely a matter of snapping the mental fingers and opting for a course of action. More thought and effort than that is needed. It is those twin helpers that are the link between willpower and achievement.

One of the major factors as to why people smoke is stress. And we all know that stress keeps on coming year after year. Something happens in our lives and we feel stress, therefore reaching for a cigarette to restore calm.

It is possible to interrupt that journey at several points along that moving train of events.

Begin slowly. Search for those times when reaching for a cigarette is just down to habit. The first thing you do in the morning is reach for a cigarette. If this is the case, then put them out of the way and exert willpower so as not to get them.

Delay your after dinner cigarette for a few minutes more to begin with and then longer and longer. It is these small victories that will reduce the quantity of cigarettes that you smoke every day and strengthen your willpower.

As your control over impulses is better gained, your self-confidence will grow. You will feel in control. This will reinforce the feeling of willpower, and you can direct events rather than them directing you.

The next thing to look at is the long term plan. Select a day to stop smoking. Estimate what date you will run out of cigarettes. Remind yourself of the high price of cigarettes, not only in dollars, but also health wise, and prevent yourself from buying anymore.

The first two weeks will be hard, which will make the largest demands on your willpower. The cravings will also be at their strongest during this time. The chemical changes that take place in your body will adjust to lower levels of dopamine, therefore flushing smoke ingredient-created compounds out of your body which will create an urge to resume.

Think of the long term consequences in order to help yourself. Keep photos of diseased lungs around the house and remember the times when you were short of breath when walking up a hill. Assist your willpower in every way possible.

Sticking to the plan for life is what follows next. This is the really hard part. Willpower not only selects an action today, but directs your life towards a better horizon.

Get lots of information about how to stop smoking at http://stopsmokingprogramsplus.com Discover the most successful ways to quit smoking and what might work for you. There is also information about why you need to stop smoking.

Friday, April 18, 2008

Quit smoking tips 35

Quitting Smoking - It's Never Too Late!

If you are struggling with quitting smoking, do not give up, and do not be discouraged. Whether you are a smoker or non-smoker, whether you have tried to quit or not, it is no secret that quitting smoking is incredibly difficult due to the physical and psychological dependences. However, millions of people have accomplished this feat, and success is certainly possible if you are a smoker desiring to quit. By focusing on the physical benefits of kicking this habit, you are more likely to realize that the short- and long-term benefits far outweigh the temporary fleeting pleasures a cigarette produces. It is unbelievable (yet true!) how much healthier your body will become upon smoking cessation. As WhyQuit.com says, "Your body's ability to mend is beauty to behold!"1

Some smokers are discouraged, believing that smoking has already caused too much damage to their bodies. No matter how long you've been smoking, you will ALWAYS benefit by quitting. The human body is amazingly resilient. According to About.com, "Within the first 20 minutes of quitting, the healing process begins."2 In just a third of an hour, you are already on your way to complete health restoration. One smoker of 25 years described an extensive list of the many benefits that they have enjoyed after having quit only six months before.

A group of recent successful quitters were surveyed about the benefits enjoyed since quitting. Among the responses were not being tired during the day and sleeping soundly at night, being able to smell again, having a clearer complexion, improved resistance to allergies and asthma, sharper thinking, whiter teeth, and simply having the ability to breathe better.

Cardiovascular Benefits

Within only twenty minutes of your last cigarette, you will obtain normal blood pressure and pulse rates. As early as three weeks after quitting, your circulation has improved. Between two weeks and three months of smoking cessation, your risk of experiencing a heart attack has begun to drop, and within a year, your risk of developing coronary heart disease is reduced to less than half that of a smoker. Five to fifteen years later, your stroke risk has dropped to that of a non-smoker. Additionally, after fifteen years (be patient!), your risk of coronary heart disease is now reduced to that of a person who has never smoked.

Respiratory Benefits

Within a mere twelve hours of quitting smoking, your blood oxygen level has increased to normal and the level of carbon monoxide is reduced to normal. After three days, your bronchial tubes have begun relaxing, allowing easier breathing, and your lung capacity is growing. Between one and nine months, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath have decreased. At this point, the cilia lining the lungs have re-grown, allowing the body to filter the air it breathes. This keeps the system purer and reduces the risk of infection. After ten years, your risk of developing lung cancer is reduced to half if you had been an average smoker of one pack per day.

Throughout the Body

After only two days of quitting, harmed nerve ending begin to re-grow, and your senses of taste and smell are returning to normal. Only three days are required for your body to be able to test 100% nicotine free. Additionally, 90% of nicotine metabolites have passed from the body through the urinary system. At this point, your body is most likely experiencing the greatest withdrawal (hang on - the worst is almost over!) Within a week and a half to two weeks, your body has adjusted to functioning without the 3,500 chemicals and 500 gases in each puff of smoke. Between three weeks and three months, walking has become easier, and any nagging cough will have disappeared. At the six-month mark, headaches, yellow teeth, bloodshot eyes, yellow skin, gravel voice, and constant stuffy nose have all disappeared. In less than nine months, as a result of the many benefits that the body has already experienced, your overall energy has increased. After ten years, your risk of developing cancers in the mouth, esophagus, and throat have decreased.

Fifteen years after quitting, it is almost as if you had never smoked for many regions of the body. That means a 40 year-old who quits smoking is more likely to be able to enjoy spending time with the grandchildren, travel freely with a spouse, or engage in sports or other activities well after retirement.

Clearly there are immediate and delayed benefits of quitting smoking. While some require much more patience in obtaining the benefits, all the effects of quitting smoking, though not necessarily immediately beneficial or enjoyable, are completely positive. Your body will thank you and reward you with better health and quality of life.

Paul Galla, President Signs-America

http://www.no-smoking-signs.com

1 http://whyquit.com/whyquit/A_Benefits_Time_Table.html

2 http://quitsmoking.about.com

Paul Galla, President Signs-America

http://www.no-smoking-signs.com

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Quit smoking tips 34

Pills To Help You Stop Smoking

Many people who are addicted to nicotine become frustrated when they try to quit smoking. The actual addiction is only one part of the battle. It's the withdrawal symptoms of cigarette smoking that can be the real challenge. These symptoms include: frustration, anger, irritably, and depression. Many people try nicotine replacement therapy to help them stop smoking. These treatments include the Nicorette patch or gum. While these treatments are effective, sometimes they are not enough. Fortunately there is a new prescription medication available that will aid with all the symptoms of withdraw.

Zyban (bupropion) comes in pill form and has been proven effective. It's recommended that you take one 150mg dose every day, for 7-12 weeks. After the addiction to nicotine has subsided, you should stop taking Zyban. While Zyban is a great tool in helping you quit, there are a few side effects you should be aware of. These side effects include: Shakiness, dry mouth, trouble sleeping ad Skin rash.

While medications are effects, it's important to understand that they should not be used along. This is why you should use Zyban along with other treatments, such as support groups.

Zyban is not for everyone. Women who are nursing to pregnant should not take it. Make sure you consult a doctor before you start using it. He'll be able to give you all the important information about Zyban.

Remember it's not necessary to suffer needlessly from the withdrawal symptoms from quitting smoking. Relief is available. You only need to talk to your doctor, give Zyban a try and start down to road to a smoke free life today.

For more information on How Do I Use Zyban To Quit Smoking? please visit our site: stop smoking today. We're a website that's dedicated to helping people stop smoking.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Quit smoking tips 33

The Best Product To Stop Smoking Now Available Online

Millions of smokers all over the world are anxiously expecting a reliable medication that can help them to quit smoking. Why do they need this chemical support to achieve this hard challenge? For many people is very difficult to stop smoking without some assistance. It is always necessary to guide them to get persistence and real commitment to their aim.

If this is your case and you are suffering from different disgusting symptoms caused by smoking, do not light the cigarette you have in your hand and pay attention to the following information.

You have already read about all the severe diseases that tobacco may cause and you have also heard about tobacco symptoms of withdrawal. The most common are tiredness, insomnia, irritability and weight gain.

Nicocure is a medication that is ready to accompany you during this hard process. The symptoms mentioned above will not appear when using Nicocure. This medicine has been developed by reliable manufactures who designed the perfect product for the perfect decision. Other traditional products often fail in helping smokers. Patches, gums and any other elements that contain nicotine are not really useful because you have to face reality: you should get rid of nicotine.

Perhaps, you consider yourself a strong person but you cannot resist the aroma of a cigarette that has just been lighted.

Nicocure really cures you and it also avoids all this discomfort that can be felt while you try to abandon smoking. With this remedy, you will get a new life: no more tiredness, sleeplessness or any other sign of unhealthiness. This incredible natural medicine will enable you to feel stronger, with positive attitude and with all the energy you lost many years ago.

Do not hesitate. Order online or call toll free. Nicocure is waiting for you. Help has just come; do not waste the opportunity of recovering your life.

For more information on Nicocure and to quit smoking naturally, visit http://www.nicocurereviews.net

Monday, April 14, 2008

Quit smoking tips 32

How To Quit Smoking Cigarettes

How to quit smoking cigarettes seems like a straightforward concept but it isn't. As a smoker, you will know because you can't seem to stop smoking these evil cancer sticks!

You know the damage you are doing is bad. You know it costs you too much money. You know you look like a fool stood outside the office puffing away. You know you should and if you could, you would but somehow, you just can't seem to manage it.

Well let me help you with a few simple pointers on how to quit smoking cigarettes that should take it from what seems like a really difficult task to what can actually be a really simple task.

The first thing you need to understand is that you do not smoke out of choice. You think you do but you don't. As a normal person, you have taught yourself to believe you smoke out of choice when actually you are smoking because of addiction.

It may seem difficult to swallow because if you were addicted to heroin, you would be a pariah and nobody would respect you. Thankfully, smoking is socially acceptable (or at least it used to be) and so nobody looks at you as if you have two heads because you are addicted to nicotine. Accept that you are an addict and change your attitude accordingly.

The next thing to consider is why you want to quit. You probably want to do it for two reasons; health and costs.

The health effects of smoking should provide you with the entire motive you need for how to stop smoking cigarettes. 16% of smokers who smoke to their death, will die from lung cancer. Half of all smokers die young because they smoke. The half that don't die young directly as a result of smoking will probably suffer from some ailment of diminished health because they smoked.

The simple fact of the matter is that on health grounds alone, there is absolutely no reason to continue smoking. You can improve your motivation to quit smoking cigarettes by changing your mindset from thinking you will be one of the lucky ones who doesn't get ill, to being one of the unlucky ones who will get struck down.

If that doesn't help, spending $50,000 over your life (or more!), filling the government's and the tobacco companies bank account should help you motivate yourself. You are paying someone else for the pleasure of killing yourself!

Another way to help you quit smoking cigarettes is to never doubt your decision to abandon cigarettes as part of your life. If you spend your life doubting whether you can enjoy yourself without them, you will miss them. Missing them is not a frame of mind that will be conducive to quitting for the long term.

For most people, cigarettes become the only thing you can think about when you stop smoking them. Some people say you should avoid situations where you might find you are at risk of succumbing to a craving. I disagree.

If you put yourself at risk of smoking and don't, you win! You know you are a victor over your enemy and gain confidence as a result. If you shy away from whatever your trigger might be you only know that you have won because you avoided taking on the challenge.

If you doubt whether you should quit, you are already giving yourself a get-out-of-jail-free-card to fail. Don't do it! Be 100% certain that you made the right decision. Stay focussed, enjoy the fight and relish the challenge. If you falter, pick yourself up again and have another go.

If you are tired of trying to quit smoking using patches, pills and potions AND getting nowhere, maybe you need to try Tom Dainty's Quit Smoking Bible

Friday, April 11, 2008

Quit smoking tips 31

What Happens When You Quit Smoking?

As part of a well planned and executed quit attempt, preparation is key and knowing what happens when you quit smoking is a useful part of that plan. In this article I will explain the two main sides of what happens when you finally turn your back on those evil cancer sticks.

There are health changes from quitting smoking and there are withdrawal effects from quitting smoking too. The withdrawal effects can be bad, but they can be very mild too and are a small price to pay for the long term benefit of quitting.

Over the first week, what happens when you quit smoking is that you will find that you suffer a number of nicotine withdrawal symptoms. These may include headaches, nausea, constipation, gas, sore throat, chesty cough, tingling fingers, cold symptoms and of course the dreaded cravings. You may also suffer from sleeplessness, anxiety and be irritable so make sure those around you know what you are going through and what to expect.

All of these withdrawal effects are perfectly normal but it would be unusual to suffer them all. At most, you should only experience a few of them but even these few side effects may seem like an excuse to start smoking again!

Whilst going through withdrawal, it is not uncommon for you to think that you would be better off smoking because then you wouldn't have to suffer from the side effect. Don't be fooled! If you think like that, you are merely putting off the short-term discomfort in favour of the long-term risk of smoking.

Remember to keep your resolve and don't give up. Remind yourself that half of all smokers die an early death precisely because they smoke and the other half suffers ill health because they smoke too.

If you are feeling down as a result of quitting you may well seek 'permission' to smoke from loved ones. This is another trick to allow you to smoke and abandon your quit attempt. Before you quit, make sure your loved ones know you might try to 'trick' them into permitting you to smoke so they know how to deal with it.

Of the many seemingly negative things that happen to you when you quit smoking, there are many positive things to keep in the front of your mind.

During the first week, when your withdrawal symptoms may be at their worst, your blood's carbon monoxide levels will fall rapidly along with your body's nicotine levels. You circulation and sense of smell will improve immediately as will the reduction in your risk of a heart attack.

In the first month, what happens when you quit smoking is remarkable with your lung function improving, blood circulation improving more, coughing less and your complexion improving noticeably. These are all very positive.

Within the first year of quitting, your breathlessness will have subsided, you will have more energy and your risk of heart disease will have halved compared to a smoker already!

After five years, most cancer risks are halved, after ten years, lung cancer risk is halved and after fifteen years, heart attack and stroke risks are down to the same levels as a lifelong non-smoker.

What happens to you when you quit smoking might seem negative at the time, but in the long run, it is all positive and once achieved, quitting becomes an incredibly proud-felt achievement.

If you are tired of trying to quit smoking using patches, pills and potions AND getting nowhere, maybe you need to try Tom Dainty's Quit Smoking Bible

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Quit smoking tips 30

Which Treatment Is The Best To Quit Smoking?

There are two general types of anti-smoking medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Nicotine replacement therapies will work to deliver the chemical nicotine that you're addicted to in small, consistent doses, in order to help relieve physical withdrawal symptoms. By leaving most of the physical addiction management work to the medication, you are freed to concentrate on what many consider to be most difficult aspect of the quitting process - managing the psychological addiction.

Common nicotine replacement methods are nicotine gum and nicotine patches. There are even nicotine inhalers, (some are even shaped like cigarettes!) which release a mist of nicotine and may help to relieve oral fixation and give your hands something to do. Non nicotine anti-smoking therapies work to block the pleasure receptors which are activated in your brain and which you associate with smoking.

Some treatments are actually mood stabilizers that were found to have side effects beneficial for quitting smoking. You could also become involved in a clinical trial of nicotine vaccination, usually found in large cities at research hospitals. Some nicotine vaccination approaches include an injection that activates your immune system to completely block nicotine from ever reaching your brain, and may work for up to a year.

You might prefer an approach that does not involve medication such as Quit Smoking Now, or just want to increase your chances of success by combining chemical treatment with an additional method of quitting. One of the most common medical uses of hypnosis is for smoking cessation therapy. Ask your primary care physician to recommend a qualified hypnotherapist near your work or home. Acupuncture is another alternative, which is thought to work by triggering your body to produce endorphins that help to manage your withdrawal symptoms.

Or you might want to try broadening your existing support system. Many states have dedicated quit smoking toll-free hotlines for you to call when the craving hits. If your state doesn't offer one, many nonprofit organizations offer nationwide phone support services for free. Use these phone lines on an as-needed basis to talk you through your craving, which will fade out in about five minutes. In recent years the medical community has recognized the effectiveness of focus groups dedicated to overcome specific addictions. Alcoholics Anonymous is probably the most recognizable and successful of these, but they have been shown to be effective in treating all types of addictions due to their use of the "whole person" approach. If you can't find a smoker support meeting in your area, try starting your own!

The best quit-smoking treatment for you is obviously the one that works. Make sure that your method is practical for your lifestyle and either directly or indirectly addresses some of the reasons you used to smoke. Don't get discouraged if you don't succeed the first time around, instead congratulate yourself for your effort, and have another go!

Sara Winters is a health expert who specializes in smoking cessation content and product reviews. For more information on the latest stop smoking product ratings and content to find the best way to quit smoking, you can visit her website at http://www.bestwaystoquitsmoking.org.

Friday, April 4, 2008

Quit smoking tips 29

Smoking and Emphysema

Years of smoking can take its toll on the body. One disease you're likely to get is emphysema.

Emphysema is a condition wherein the air sacs (alveoli) and small airways of the lungs are overstretched and damaged, making breathing difficult. Aside from smoking, other risk factors are age, exposure to secondhand smoke and chemical fumes, indoor and outdoor pollution and HIV infection.

"In emphysema, inflammation destroys these fragile walls of the air sacs, causing them to lose their elasticity. As a result, the bronchioles collapse, and air becomes trapped in the air sacs, which over stretches them and interferes with your ability to exhale (hyperinflation)," according to the Mayo Clinic.

"In time, this over stretching may cause several air sacs to rupture, forming one larger air space instead of many small ones. Because the larger, less elastic sacs aren't able to force air completely out of your lungs when you exhale, you have to breathe harder to take in enough oxygen and to eliminate carbon dioxide," it added.

Men are the usual victims although there are any women with emphysema nowadays due to the increasing number of female smokers. Repeated lung infections and a family history can also make you susceptible to the disease.

There are usually no symptoms in the early stages but shortness of breath increases over the years. Other signs are a cough with little sputum, weakness, weight loss and fatigue.

"When emphysema is advanced, you must work so hard to expel air from your lungs that just the simple act of breathing can consume a great deal of energy. Unfortunately, because emphysema develops gradually over many years, you may not experience symptoms such as shortness of breath until irreversible damage has already occurred," the Mayo Clinic said.

The disease is incurable but it is not contagious and you can live a normal life by following your doctor's orders to prevent complications like bronchitis, pneumonia and influenza. The best thing to do is to stop smoking but this is easier said than done and you may need a smoking cessation program to help you quit.

Dr. H. Winter Griffith, a fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice, recommends the following:

Don't smoke.

Avoid breathing irritating substances.

If you work in an area with severe air pollution, do all you can to decrease your exposure. Change jobs if necessary. Treat any accompanying allergies to minimize aggravation of emphysema.

Avoid sudden temperature or humidity changes, loud talking, laughing, crying or exertion if these trigger coughing episodes. Learn and practice breathing exercises.

To strengthen your body, take Immunitril - your first line of defense in maintaining a healthy immune system. For details, visit http://www.bodestore.com/immunitril.html.

Sharon Bell is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premier online news magazine http://www.HealthLinesNews.com

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

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6 Ways To Quit Smoking

If you are looking for ways to stop smoking, then this article will help. In addition to providing you with proven ways to quit smoking, we also want to address some of the dangers associated with smoking. Although you might have some understanding that cigarette smoking is bad, most people are simply unaware of just how bad it really is.

Just as the Surgeon General warns, cigarette smoking has been shown to cause cancer. In addition to lung cancer, other forms of cancer that develop specific to smoking include larynx, cervix, mouth, pancreas, bladder, esophagus, and even kidney. Then, in addition to the increased risk of cancer, cigarette smoke can also lead to emphysema, wheezing, dizziness, nausea, and a lower level of energy and stamina. Obviously, none of this sounds good. We hope this will encourage you to stop smoking.

The main challenge when it comes to quitting smoking is getting past the dreaded urge to light up. Once you can resist this urge, you can gain more control in the process of quitting. This article provides a number of ways to stop smoking that actually work, many by getting you past the urges associated with cigarettes. We do not want to sugar coat the process because quitting smoking is hard but with determination and the right tools/resources, you can do it.

Start by reminding yourself that when the urge to light up a cigarette hits, it will only last about five minutes. Therefore, if you can control the urge for that length of time, you have already gotten ahead of the game.

  • Reminders - We suggest that you make a list of reasons you want to quit or are trying to quit and carry it with you everywhere you go. Often during the initial craving, we focus on nothing but taking a hit. By having an itemized list that you can read during this five-minute period, will help reinforce your goal.
  • Rewards - Ways to stop smoking also involve giving yourself a reward when you pass up the chance to smoke. For this, provide yourself with some type of reward important to you at the end of each week you have gone without smoking a cigarette. This might be a new outfit, dinner at a favorite restaurant, a massage, or literally anything. The reward does not have to be costly, just something special to you.
  • Preparedness - When trying to quit smoking, you know that you will have cravings. Therefore, you need to be prepared so when the urges arise, you do not cave in. For this, you might be sure to always carry a pack of gum with you, again, use your list of reasons for stopping smoking, and begin to pay attention to the reasons you are feeling the need for a cigarette. As an example, if you are sitting in rush hour traffic and start to feel stressed, wanting a cigarette, then you know that stress is one of your triggers. To combat the problem, buy a CD that you find relaxing, listen to a book via iPod, etc.
  • Support - When trying to quit smoking, you will need support of family and friends. Make sure they understand just how important it is to you to stop so when you call them, they provide ongoing encouragement. Of course, these need to be people who do not smoke!
  • Distractions - In our proven ways to quit smoking, we wanted to add distractions, which can be very helpful. If you find yourself at home wanting a cigarette, try to do something that will distract you, especially during the five-minutes of heavy craving. For instance, you might take a brisk walk around the block, water the plants, play with the dog, and so on.
  • Non-Smoking Aids - In some cases, using a non-smoking aid can be beneficial. A great consideration is a product called NicoCure, which is made from all-natural ingredients. Other aids are available, but we suggest you stick with the natural products. If you want to buy NicoCure, you will find their website loaded with great information.

Brandon Ryan has been smoke free for over a year now. You can learn how he did it at his website, Get Smoke Free Now. Get Smoke Free Now provides tons of useful tips on how to finally kick your smoking habit for good!

Quit smoking tips 27

Natural Ways To Quit Smoking

You do not need any medication to get to your desired destination and going cold turkey is the most effective method of doing this. Before you embark on this journey you should arm yourself with some information that will help you along the way:

* Want to stop. Only you can determine the outcome of your challenge. Millions have done it before you and so can you. Stamp out the looser mentality that you are not going to make it and that life is going to be miserable. Believing in you is the most important thing.

* Never give up. Irrespective of whether this is your first or your fiftieth attempt you should not look at previous attempt as another failure but rather as proof of how unhappy you are to be a smoker. You should also use prior attempts to your advantage; learn from them.

* Weighty issues. Don't be put off quitting because you fear gaining weight. Understand that gaining weight is far less damaging to your health than smoking. Any weight gain you may experience can be addressed later and is far less difficult to fix than smoking.

* Set yourself a quit date (Q-Date). This is a date when you will stop smoking. The night before, don't over smoke. Also before you head to bed remove all ash trays, lighters and anything associated with the habit. Destroy all unused cigarettes.

* Share your Q-Date. Let others know that you are embarking on the journey and seek their support. Ask them not to smoke near you and to be kinder to you. Many more people than you think would be more than willing to help you get rid of a problem that bothers them.

* Talk to others. The internet has many free support groups and web sites who help one quit the habit. http://www.quitnet.net is one of the better know sites with a wealth of resources and a support group that is second to none. Use these facilities before and during your transition to an ex-smoker. Check out your local community for similar programs and eagerly use them.

* Break the chain. During the first two weeks try changing your schedule. You may have to give certain smoking friends a rest (after informing them) and take on other activities such as going out with family on walks or to the movie or on some other enjoyable outing. Take a few days of work if this helps.

* Reward yourself. Reward yourself for each day you stay smoke free. Do something really special when you hit one week, two weeks and one month smoke free. Although the money you would have saved is a reward in itself, nothing beats celebrating a victory.

* Take it an hour at a time. Whenever you get the urge to smoke say "For the time being I'll not smoke". Urges are instantaneously and normally pass quickly. If, occasionally, an urge lingers, occupy yourself; once you stop thinking about it vaporises into nothingness.

* Forgive yourself. Although you should work not to smoke; if you do accept an offer or find that you are getting pleasure taking in the second hand smoke of others; you should not interpret this as a sign that you are too weak to arrive at your desired goal. Instead you should use all resources available to you (mentioned above) to overcome the problem.

* You are an ex-smoker. It is important that you realise that you are an ex-smoker not a non-smoker. The difference between the two is that latter never had a desire to smoke while you once had. You should never be tempted to try one out; it would probably rewind all the effort you put into what you set out to achieve.

The true benefits of quitting manifest themselves when you and those close to you start noticing that you are leading a more enjoyable and active lifestyle. The exclusions induced by smoking simply evaporate.

Author: Alan C. Bonnici
Email: chribonn@gmail.com
URL: http://www.onNeutral.com
Comments are welcome.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Quit smoking tips 26

Quit Smoking - Nurse's 10 Best Health Benefits If You Quit Smoking Now! You Can Do It!

Besides the hundreds of non-health reasons to quit smoking, there are many health benefits to quitting smoking. If you're looking for some good health reasons to stop smoking now, these are just a few of the many health reasons to look for when you quit that will help you reverse the effects of smoking.

To start with - just 20 minutes after you quit smoking your tired lungs and airways will begin to heal. Circulation will improve immediately and your blood pressure and pulse will return to normal.

After eight hours the nicotine levels in your blood are reduced by 50%, and your oxygen levels will return to normal.

After 12 hours carbon monoxide levels in your blood will drop to normal.

After 24 hours your lungs will begin to clear out mucus and smoking debris.

After 48 hours your body will be free of all the nicotine and your sense of taste and smell will improve greatly.

After 72 hours your bronchial tubes will relax, allowing you to breathe much easier and you'll find you have more energy.

After two to 12 weeks your blood circulation continues to improve.

After three months heart attack risk starts to fall while lung function starts to improve.

After three to nine months after quitting smoking, your coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and other breathing difficulties begin to improve.

After one to five years your chance of experiencing a heart attack drops by about half that of a smoker.

After ten years your chance of developing lung cancer drops by about half and your chance of experiencing a heart attack is the same as someone who has never smoked.

After 15 years the risk of stroke and heart disease is similar to a nonsmoker.

None of this will get rid of all the risks. Even decades after quitting smoking people who once smoked have higher risks of dying from diseases that block breathing channels such as emphysema. Smokers and former smokers are much more likely to die of cancers of the head, neck, throat, lungs and the bladder than non-smokers.

It's never ever too late to quit. No matter what your age you can reduce your risk of dying of smoking-related diseases by 50% if you quit smoking now. Focus on these health benefits can help and use them as your natural stop smoking aids. Whether you quit 'cold turkey' or not, try not to use stop smoking pills, hypnosis, magnets, gum or patches. You'll feel the results fast. Make smoking cessation your goal now, YOU CAN DO IT! Thousands before you have done it too!

For more info on how to quit smoking and stop smoking aids go to http://www.Best-Quit-Smoking-Tips.com a nurse's website specializing in stop smoking tips, easy ways, plans, programs, laser, hypnosis and natural aids including info on what to look out for and smoking cessation