Table of Content
1. Risks from Smoking
2. Strategies How to Stop Smoking?
2. Strategies How to Stop Smoking?
Risk from Smoking and Strategies for Successful Quitting it
1. Risks from Smoking
- Increased Risk of Cancer - Smoking is responsible for the majority of cancer cases including lung, throat, mouth, bladder and pancreas cancers.
Effect of nicotine on the body
- Respiratory Issues - The lungs and airways are damaged by smoking which leads to diseases like chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Lungs and airways are damaged by smoking
- Cardiovascular Diseases - By destroying blood vessels and decreasing blood flow; smoking raises the risk of heart attack, stroke and peripheral vascular disease.
Cardiovascular Diseases
- Weakening of the Immune System - Smokers have a higher likelihood of getting infections because of immunosuppression ensuing from smoking.
- Reproductive Health Problems - Infertility in women or infertility in men due to smoking while pregnant can make it difficult to conceive. Also erectile dysfunction in men could be caused by smoking during pregnancy as well as low birthweight infants.
Reproductive Health Problems
- Accelerated Aging - There is early onset wrinkle development, loose skin formation and a dull complexion that result from cigarette smoke exposure.
- Increased Risk of Diabetes - Cigarette smoke causes a greater chance for type 2 diabetes onset along with its complications among smokers.
- Bone Health - Smoking weakens bones hence increasing their chances of getting osteoporosis or fracturing them easily as well.
- Negative Impact on Mental Health - People who are heavy smokers suffer more from mental disorders such as depression and anxiety than non-smokers.
- Secondhand Smoke Exposure - Non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke have the same health risks as smokers like cancer and heart diseases.
2. Strategies How to Stop Smoking?
- Fix a Quit Date - Select an exact day to stop smoking and stick to it.
- Get help - Tell friends, family members and doctors about the decision to quit smoking then request for their assistance.
- Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) - Employing nicotine patches, gums, lozenges or inhalers gradually helps you in reducing cravings for nicotine.
- Prescription Medications - Talk to your doctor about prescription medicines such as bupropion or varenicline that can help decrease cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
- Behavioral Therapy - Think about counseling or behavioral therapy that will handle addiction psychology while teaching coping mechanisms.
- Avoid Triggers - Identify some of the circumstances that make you want tobacco (eg. stress) and develop ways of avoiding them or managing them.
- Stay Active - Engage in regular physical activity so as to reduce stress and cravings also improve general well-being
- Healthy Diet - Continue with a balanced diet by maintaining hydration level so as to support natural body detoxification process
- Practice Relaxation Techniques - learn how to relax yourself this could be through deep breathing meditation or yoga to cope with stress episodes
- Stay Persistent and Patient - Understand that quitting smoking is a challenging process, but with determination and perseverance it is achievable. Be patient with yourself and celebrate small victories along the way.
Health benefit of stop smoking
Remember, quitting smoking is one of the best decisions you can make for your health and there are numerous resources and support systems available to help you succeed.