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This interesting article addresses some of the key issues regarding quit smoking aid,and nicotine withdrawal symptoms. A careful reading of this material could make a big difference in how you think about quit smoking aid, and nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

When people try to give up smoking they will experience both psychological and physical withdrawal symptoms. The psychological symptoms are related to the habit of smoking and the things that are normally done while smoking like drinking coffee or talking with friends.

Like any bad habit, the smoking habit can be replaced with healthier behaviours, but the physical withdrawal from nicotine may be more difficult to handle.

Nicotine is a powerful drug related to cocaine and morphine. There is evidence that nicotine may be even more addictive than these drugs — the one-year success rate for heroin withdrawal is more than double that of nicotine withdrawal.

Nicotine affects the neurotransmitters of the brain. The brain becomes accustomed to receiving this kind of stimulation and sends out strong signals of craving when deprived of nicotine. A person trying to quit smoking will experience all kinds of withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, inability to concentrate, insomnia and fatigue.

Symptoms are stronger in people who have been smoking longer, and people will often have a greater urge to smoke in places and situations where they are accustomed to smoking.

The symptoms of nicotine withdrawal can be alleviated with nicotine substitutes such as gum or patches. This can help overcome the habit of smoking and it may be easier to cut down on these kinds of secondary nicotine sources than it is by quitting smoking cold turkey.

Some types of drugs (particularly antidepressants) can also be used to help lessen the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.

Nicotine withdrawal symptoms will change over time. They will start as a strong craving for cigarettes. As you continue to deny your body nicotine, you may become irritable and have difficulty concentrating. The brain has become accustomed to working under the influence of this nicotine and may not function up to par when denied this stimulation.

Once you begin to move beyond basic background information, you begin to realize that there’s more to quit smoking aid than you may have first thought.

Because the brain is not receiving stimulation from nicotine, you may also feel tired and lack energy. Ironically you may also have difficulty sleeping — insomnia is a common complaint among people who are trying to quit smoking and will add to your daytime fatigue.

Constipation can also be a problem related to nicotine withdrawal. The digestive system is sensitive to nicotine in the bloodstream. Many smokers are familiar with the sensation of needing to use the bathroom after having a cigarette. The digestive system can become dependent on the stimulation, and when it is removed, the result can be constipation.

Other symptoms related to the mouth, throat, and lungs are also quite common. You may develop a dry mouth and a sore throat and cough, and the tongue and gums may become tender and sore.

Not all people trying to quit smoking experience all of these symptoms, and some may experience certain symptoms more strongly than others. It is important to remember that all the symptoms will pass as long as you refrain from smoking.

The urge to smoke will come in waves, and if you can resist each wave in turn, the urges become less frequent and less severe. Each time that you feel a desire to smoke, try to find some kind of distraction. Doing a bit of exercise when the urge to smoke strikes has two benefits — your mind is distracted and your health is improved.

Even after you have overcome all of the physical symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, the psychological urge to smoke may remain for months or even years. Cravings may be stronger in situations where you have been accustomed to smoke like parties or pubs. This is due more to behavioural conditioning than actual physical dependence on nicotine.

There will come a day, however, when you will not feel the need to smoke. With time these days will become more frequent until finally the desire to smoke has been completely overcome.

Now you can bring something to the table next time you join a discussion on quit smoking aid, and nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

If you’re seriously interested in knowing about quitting smoking, you need to think beyond the basics. This informative article takes a closer look at things you need to know about quitting smoking.

Once you have made the decision to quit smoking, you should choose a method to help you overcome the habit. Each method has advantages and disadvantages, so it’s a good idea to examine all of them before deciding.

No matter which method you choose, it is important to have the support and encouragement of family and friends. You can quit smoking on your own but you are more likely to succeed if you have moral support from the people around you.

For most people, the desire to smoke comes in waves. One way to deal with those waves is to pick up the phone and talk to someone who knows that you are trying to quit. This has the dual benefit of offering some distraction as well as getting encouragement in your battle against tobacco.

Ways to Quit

Cold Turkey – If you have a great deal of willpower and a strong desire to quit smoking, you may be able to do it cold turkey. Quitting cold turkey means that you simply stop — no intermediate steps, just going from your regular habit to no smoking at all.
Certain individuals that metabolize nicotine relatively slowly are more likely to succeed by quitting cold turkey. This is because they are not as physically addicted to nicotine as other smokers are. People with a higher dependence on nicotine may find they need to use a nicotine substitute such as patches or gum.

Slowly Cutting Down – Rather than quitting cold turkey, some people prefer to gradually reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke each day. In order for this to work you need to have a plan to reduce your smoking by a certain amount each day and a goal for the day when you want to be completely smoke-free.

Those of you not familiar with the latest on quitting smoking now have at least a basic understanding. But there’s more to come.

There are many strategies you can use. You could smoke one less cigarette each day; you could delay smoking the first cigarette of the day by a greater amount each day; or you could limit your smoking to a certain number of cigarettes within a three hour period.

Nicotine Substitutes – Either of the above methods could be supplemented with the use of a nicotine substitute like gum, spray or patches. This helps reduce the craving for nicotine which is behind the desire to smoke. The brain has become accustomed to regular doses of nicotine so by supplying the nicotine by other means quitting the habit becomes easier.

Before using a nicotine substitute consult with your doctor concerning any health risks that may be associated with it. Nicotine substitutes are available in the form of chewing gum, nasal spray, lozenges, inhalators, or tablets that are kept under the tongue. Patches can also be worn on the skin to provide a constant supply of nicotine to the bloodstream throughout the day.

Zyban – Zyban is an antidepressant drug that has been proven effective reducing nicotine withdrawal symptoms. It is available by doctor’s prescription.

Hypnosis – Hypnosis has also been used to help overcome nicotine cravings. It seems to be most effective in those who have a strong desire to quit.

Acupuncture – As with hypnosis, acupuncture works best with people who are committed to quitting smoking. Both acupuncture and hypnosis may work by reinforcing the commitment to giving up smoking. There is no evidence that they are any more effective than other methods.

So now you know a the basics about quitting smoking. You’ve done something worthwhile: you’ve expanded your knowledge about quitting smoking

This interesting article addresses some of the key issues regarding about how to quit smoking. A careful reading of this material could make a big difference in how you think about how to quit smoking.

During the quitting process the urge to smoke will be very strong. At some point, many people succumb to those urges. In fact, most people will have lapses or relapses on the road to smoke-free lives.

Rather than viewing these lapses as failures, it is better to view them as learning opportunities to understand why we slipped and how we can prevent it from happening again.

Lapses can happen any time. It could happen days or months after making the decision to quit. They are often triggered by stressful situations or by placing yourself in a situation which you associate with smoking. You may say to yourself, “Oh, it’s just a few puffs”, or “Just this one time.” That “one time” could lead into a full-blown relapse.

All is not lost, however. Nearly every former smoker went through similar episodes as they tried to quit the habit. Each time you again resolve to give up smoking you are approaching the task with greater determination and knowledge about what lies ahead.

Dealing with Lapses
If you find yourself smoking again, simply stop! Some people pick up a cigarette without even thinking about it. Even if you are in the middle of a puff, put the cigarette out and throw it away. If you have bought a pack of cigarettes, don’t even think about finishing it. Put them in the garbage. If you are smoking because you are sitting with other smokers, excuse yourself and leave.

Go for a walk and get some fresh air. Let your mind clear and use the opportunity to assess what made you pick up a cigarette. Remind yourself of all the reasons why you have decided to quit smoking and re-establish their importance in your mind.

Once you begin to move beyond basic background information, you begin to realize that there’s more to how to quit smoking than you may have first thought.

Try to talk to a friend or family member who can offer moral support in your effort to quit smoking. Be upfront about your lapse and ask for their opinion on how to prevent it from happening again. Above all, do not let yourself get down. View the lapse as an opportunity to plan strategies for similar situations.

It is important to critically examine the situation which caused the lapse. Who were you with? What were you doing? How did that cigarette make you feel? The answers can help you reassess your desire to quit smoking and strengthen your resolve to overcome the desire to smoke in similar situations.

Getting Back on Track
To overcome the lapse or relapse, you must renew your vow to quit smoking. Think of all the reasons that made you come to that decision in the first place — they are just as valid after a relapse as before, perhaps even more so. Recognize the progress you have made so far. After all, you may have gone several days or even months without having a cigarette. That is no mean feat.

If your lapse has been for several days, you may need a nicotine substitute like gum or a patch to tide you over. Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor or counsellor about what has happened and ask for their advice.

Above all, don’t dwell on this temporary failure. Recognize it as one step along the path to a smoke-free future.

Now you can understand why there’s a growing interest in how to quit smoking. When people start looking for more information about how to quit smoking, you’ll be in a position to meet their needs.

This article explains a few things about nicotine gum, and if you’re interested, then this is worth reading, because you can never tell what you don’t know.

Now that we’ve covered those aspects of nicotine gum, let’s turn to some of the other factors that need to be considered.

Nicotine is the addictive substance of tobacco, and smokers become accustomed to the stimulation that nicotine provides. When smokers try to quit, the cravings that they feel are mostly due to nicotine withdrawal. A Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) can help overcome these cravings for nicotine.

Some of the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal include irritability, inability to concentrate, drowsiness, insomnia, and dry cough. An NRT like nicotine gum reduces these symptoms and allows the user to gradually cut down on the amount of nicotine his system needs to function normally. At the same time, his exposure to all of the other toxic substances in cigarette smoke is eliminated.

Of the many NRTs available, one of the most popular and easy to use is nicotine gum. Unlike patches, nicotine gum allows the user to control when and how much nicotine goes into his system. As an added benefit, it provides an oral replacement for those who need to overcome the habit of having a cigarette in their mouth.
Nicotine gum is available in different strengths.

Heavy smokers are advised to start off with gum which has a relatively high amount of nicotine — 4 mg. As dependence on nicotine is reduced, the strength of the gum can also be reduced to 2 mg. Most manufacturers offer gum in these two strengths.

The gum can be taken at certain intervals during the day to maintain a constant level of nicotine in the bloodstream, or it can be taken only when there is a craving for cigarettes. The gum is usually taken at regular intervals at the beginning of the therapy and then gradually reduced over a period of weeks.

It is advisable to consult with your doctor or pharmacist before using nicotine gum. They can offer guidelines about how to use the gum and the length of time the therapy should continue. Using nicotine gum in combination with certain medications may be contraindicated, so it is especially important to consult with your doctor if you are on any other kind of drug therapy.

Nicotine gum is used differently from regular gum. It should not be chewed continuously, but rather only until you feel a slight tingling in your mouth. When this happens, stop chewing and put the gum between your teeth and your cheek for about one minute until the tingling stops, and then again resume chewing slowly. Repeat this cycle for about 30 minutes or until there is no more taste left in the gum.

Gradually reduce the amount of gum you are using over a period of about three months. By this time, you should be taking no more than two or three pieces of nicotine gum a day. Do not continue using the gum for longer than three months.
Most people can use nicotine gum without experiencing any side effects, but adverse reactions sometimes occur.

It is possible that the gum may bring on headaches, dizziness, upset stomach, and soreness in the mouth. If these conditions persist consult with your doctor. More severe side effects include seizures and difficulty breathing. If this happens, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.

Thousands of people have found NRT to be an effective aid to quitting smoking. The nicotine replacement method you decide on is a personal preference, but chewing gum has the advantage of being easy to use and providing doses of nicotine when it is most needed.

Manufacturers of nicotine gum include Nicorette and Rite Aid.

Of course, it’s impossible to put everything about nicotine gum into just one article. But you can’t deny that you’ve just added to your understanding about nicotine gum, and that’s time well spent.

So what is quit smoking naturally really all about? The following report includes some fascinating information about quit smoking naturally–info you can use, not just the old stuff they used to tell you.

The best time to learn about quit smoking naturally is before you’re in the thick of things. Wise readers will keep reading to earn some valuable quit smoking naturally experience while it’s still free.

There are many paths to a smoke-free living. You can use aids like patches, gum, or drugs like Zyban to help get over the physical addiction to nicotine. You may decide to quit cold turkey and suffer the withdrawal symptoms, or you may gradually cut down on your cigarette habit.

As an alternative to nicotine substitutes, you can treat the challenge of quitting the habit as an opportunity to make changes in your lifestyle for the better. At the end of the process you will not only be a smoke-free, you will have also gained new eating habits and lifestyle changes for healthier living.
Making changes to your lifestyle and eating habits is a big challenge, and requires a certain level of dedication. You will find, however, that eating healthier and living healthier also makes it easier to quit smoking. You will also develop strategies for dealing with nicotine withdrawal.

Since we are talking about several changes to your style of living, it’s a good idea to take at least a week or two off your regular routine to make the changes. If you can take some time off work and get away from your regular schedule you will be exposed to fewer situations which you associate with smoking. You can also take the time to recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

A regular exercise routine is an essential part of healthy living. If you have not exercised previously, build up to it gradually. Rather than starting on an ambitious two-mile jog every morning, begin by going for long walks. As your stamina increases and your health improves you can add more vigorous activities to your exercise routine.

Healthy eating is also very important for regaining the health that may have been lost from your smoking habit. Eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits and cut down on fatty meats and foods high in saturated fats like fast food and desserts. Eating good-quality food can help eliminate toxins from the body faster which makes it easier to overcome your nicotine habit.

You are likely to experience symptoms from nicotine withdrawal. Nicotine is a powerful drug that affects many parts of the body but particularly the brain. Smokers become accustomed to the regular stimulation that nicotine provides, and may feel sluggish and inattentive when it is deprived. Rather than depending on nicotine substitutes to overcome the symptoms, simply take short naps whenever you feel drained.

Another symptom of nicotine withdrawal is irritability. Whenever you feel this way or are craving a cigarette, go for a brisk walk. This helps clear your mind and overcome the desire for nicotine.

You may also find that your mouth and throat feel dry or that you develop a cough or postnasal drip. This is caused by the body ridding itself of excess mucus produced because of exposure to smoke. To overcome these symptoms drink plenty of juice and water or suck on lozenges.

Cutting down on caffeine should be part of your new healthy lifestyle. There is no need to eliminate caffeine completely, but it is particularly important to avoid it after six pm. Nicotine withdrawal can cause insomnia and you do not want exasperate that by stimulating yourself with too much caffeine.
It is important to find natural ways to relax. Many people are tempted to smoke when exposed to stressful situations.

It is far healthier to learn relaxation techniques like deep breathing. Nicotine withdrawal may also cause headaches which can be relieved by hot baths or gentle body movements like rolling the head.
All of these techniques are extremely helpful in overcoming the cigarette habit but they are also useful for maintaining good health. Make them part of your regular lifestyle and you will feel better, look better, and have a healthier outlook on life.

The day will come when you can use something you read about here to have a beneficial impact. Then you’ll be glad you took the time to learn more about quit smoking naturally.

So what is quit smoking help really all about? The following report includes some fascinating information about quit smoking help–info you can use, not just the old stuff they used to tell you.

If your quit smoking help facts are out-of-date, how will that affect your actions and decisions? Make certain you don’t let important quit smoking help information slip by you.

One of the therapies for quitting smoking is the use of a drug called Zyban. The generic name of Zyban is buproprion hydrochloride and also goes under the names Wellbutrin or Wellbutrin SR. Originally used as an antidepressant, it was observed that people taking the drug lost interest in cigarettes and gave up the habit quite easily. It has been available as a smoking treatment since 1998.

The reason Zyban is effective is not clearly understood. It seems to affect brain chemistry which makes patients feel energized and gives them a sense of well-being. It is equally useful for helping depressed and non-depressed patients quit smoking.
Patients start taking Zyban while they are still smoking. The quit date is set for 7 days later, and the drug is continued for another 7 to 10 weeks after that. Patients report that symptoms of nicotine withdrawal are minimized. Studies have shown that success rates of Zyban are about twice that of placebos.

Although the manufacturer reports that Zyban can be used safely for long periods of time, if the smoker hasn’t made significant changes in his smoking habits by the end of 10 weeks it is unlikely that continued use of Zyban will be helpful. Zyban treatment is like any other method for quitting smoking — in order to be effective the desire to quit has to come from within. Those who really don’t want to stop smoking will find ways to sabotage any quitting plan.

People taking Zyban may suffer from a few side effects. The most commonly reported ones are insomnia and a dry mouth. Those with a history of seizures, eating disorders, and cirrhosis of the liver are advised not to take the drug.

Compared with Patches
Zyban is one way to overcome nicotine withdrawal, but there are other methods available. One of the most popular is the nicotine patch — a square patch that sticks to the skin and releases small doses of nicotine throughout the day. Patches allow the body to get the nicotine it craves without suffering the ill effects of smoking.

Zyban works a little bit differently than nicotine substitutes because it is not providing nicotine to the body. Rather, the feeling of well-being it provides, allows the smoker to give up the habit with relatively little difficulty and is equally effective for behavioural modification as it is for physical dependency on nicotine.

People using patches, on the other hand, may still feel the desire to smoke in certain situations because of ingrained associations with smoking. For example, some people associate smoking with going to the pub — this is simply a habit which must be overcome.

Patches can help eliminate the cravings associated with smoking, but they have to be used with a little bit of care. They can be worn throughout the day, but should be removed at night. Otherwise, they may cause insomnia or strange dreams.
The skin where the patch is applied may become red and itchy. These symptoms usually disappear within an hour after the patch is removed but can cause discomfort during the day.

Patches (as well as other nicotine substitutes like gum) are available in various strengths and so can be used to gradually wean the body from its nicotine dependence. Those with a strong desire to quit smoking may find that nicotine substitutes allow them to concentrate on the behavioural changes needed to rid themselves of dependency on tobacco.

Zyban is also effective for overcoming nicotine dependence. Once treatment stops, however, the desire to smoke in certain situations may still be present.
Both Zyban and nicotine substitutes are more effective when used in conjunction with some kind of counselling or therapy. A smoker should also enlist the help of family and friends to overcome his habit.

This article’s coverage of the information is as complete as it can be today. But you should always leave open the possibility that future research could uncover new facts.

Quitting smoking and kicking the habit could be one of the most important things you will ever do in the next part of your life. In fact, people say, if you quit now, you will most likely add eight years to your life.
Many people try and quitting smoking and failed. However, it is not an impossible task. Thousands of people, people just like you succeed in quitting smoking. Why not you?
Here are some tips that can help you throw away the habit once and for all:

1. Make a vow to quit smoking from now and today onwards
Firm determination is what determines your success to begin with. If you are not even sure about anything, then you can never achieve anything in life. However, once you made up your mind, whatever cravings that you may be going through, remember your vow not to give in.

2. Exercise to keep fit and in shape
If you’re sitting on your butt too much, chances are you’re going to light your cigarette away. Fill your time with more productive activities such as sports. Feel the satisfaction of blood circulating around your body and being able to sweat and breathe. You can start with walking around your neighborhood park.

3. Avoid places and activities which encourages smoking
Avoiding places such as a bar or pub for this period of while quitting smoking if it means you are going to light up a cigarette to have a drink. Once you are sure and have completely stopped smoking for good, it is okay to go anywhere because you will be able to overcome the temptation. Plan more wisely during this time where you want to spend your recreational time.

4. Replace cigarettes with healthy snack or water
If you crave to smoke, replace the cigarette with something that will help you such as drinking small amounts of water. This will help you to also cleanse your body more and eliminate waste and toxics. You can also eat fruits to help to cope with the cravings.

5. Seek support from people you can trust
Tell your friends and family that you are going to quit smoking. Friends that can be trusted will not offer you cigarettes and support you. Your family can be a very important source of support and will support and ensure your effort to avoid and succeed in quitting smoking.

6. Increase and strengthen your willpower meditation and yoga
Willpower can be obtained through training and conditioning. All you need is practice like anything else. You need to condition your mental health and muscle to enable you to enhance your willpower to quit smoking with ease. Yoga and meditation are disciplines which smokers can begin to build up their capacity to concentrate and firmly accomplish to stop smoking forever.

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Vascular (VAS-kyoo-ler): relating to the body’s blood vessels.

vein : a blood vessel that carries blood to the heart.

very-long-acting insulin: a type of insulin that starts to lower blood glucose within 1 hour after injection and keeps working evenly for 24 hours after injection.

very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol : a form of cholesterol in the blood; high levels may be related to cardiovascular disease.

vitrectomy (vih-TREK-tuh-mee): surgery to restore sight in which the surgeon removes the cloudy vitreous humor in the eye and replaces it with a salt solution.

vitreous humor (VIH-tree-us): the clear gel that lies behind the eye’s lens and in front of the retina.

void: to urinate; to empty the bladder.

Wound care: steps taken to ensure that a wound such as a foot ulcer heals correctly. People with diabetes need to take special precautions so wounds do not become infected.

Xylitol (ZY-lih-tall): a carbohydrate-based sweetener found in plants and used as a substitute for sugar; provides calories. Found in some mints and chewing gum.

Ask Sylvia
WritingCampus.com

Spinal disc transplant ‘success’

Doctors in China have carried out the world’s first spinal disc transplants on five patients, a study says.

The discs were placed in the necks of four men and a woman by a University of Hong Kong-led team.

They were taken, with the consent of relatives, from the spines of three young female donors who had died suddenly as a result of trauma.

Five years on, the patients are doing well, with improved mobility and no immune problems, says the Lancet.

The surgeons said refinements of the procedure may provide an alternative to standard therapies.

But they said it would be hard to replicate the technique for spinal discs in the more complex area of the lower back – the most common source of problems.

Removing damaged discs and fusing adjacent vertebrae together is regarded as the “gold standard” treatment.

However, it results in limited movement and may accelerate degeneration elsewhere.

Artificial discs have shown success, but may produce serious complications in the neck region.

Vertebral discs are the spine’s shock absorbers. The flat capsules, about an inch in diameter and a quarter-of-an-inch thick, fit tightly between the bones of the spinal column.

Under stress, a disc’s inner material may swell, pushing through the tough outer membrane onto surrounding nerves and causing pain, which can be excruciating.

In severe cases, a ruptured or torn membrane may result in irreversible damage.

Problems
Disc problems can result from violent injury, or the strain caused by everyday activities and accidents, such as lifting heavy objects the wrong way or slipping on ice. Normal ageing can also lead to disc degeneration.

Transplantation has never been successfully carried out on humans until now.

The discs were removed from the donors within two hours of death and frozen in preservative chemicals before being transferred to the patients.

Professor Keith Luk, who led the team, said: “With further improvements in the areas of graft preservation and surgical techniques, disc transplantation could be indicated in degenerative disc disease.

“But he said to extend the technique to the lower spine, which is more complex, would be a “challenge”.

In an accompanying comment article, doctors Wafa Skalli and Jean Dubousset, from the ENSAM-CNRS research institute in Paris, said the transplants could open a “new dimension” in the treatment of degenerative disc disease.

They added: “Disc transplantation could be an attractive alternative both for fusion and artificial disc replacement… This new approach could be of particular interest for younger patients for whom prevention of adjacent-level degeneration is important.”

Ask Sylvia
WritingCampus.com

The health effects of tobacco smoking refers to direct tobacco smoking as well as the inhalation of environmental or secondhand tobacco smoke. The WHO in the 2002 World Health Repor estimates that in developed countries, 26% of male deaths and 9% of female deaths can be attributed to smoking. Similarly, the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes tobacco use as “the single most important preventable risk to human health in developed countries and an important cause of premature death worldwide”. In 2003, United States Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona stated that he would support the abolition of all tobacco products.

It is generally accepted among the general public that smoking can have devastating effects on the cardiovascular system and other important organs in the body, though the effects on the oral cavity are generally underestimated. Perhaps the most serious oral condition that can arise from tobacco smoking is that of oral cancer. However, smoking also increases the risk for various other oral diseases, some of which are almost completely exclusive to smokers.

Smoking has been proven to be an important factor in the staining of teeth. Halitosis is common among tobacco smokers. Other oral diseases that are known to have strong links to smoking are leukoplakia, Snuff Dipper’s lesions and smoker’s palate. Currently, there is growing evidence that tobacco greatly increases the risk of periodontal diseases, which includes bone and tooth loss. In addition, many smokers report a loss of taste sensation and/or salivary changes.

Saaqib
writingCampus.com