Effective Stop Smoking Aids

by Al Cecil

Giving up smoking is notoriously difficult to do, so many people use stop smoking aids to try to make it a little bit easier. Many of these aids are available, including nicotine patches, nicotine gum, nicotine inhalers, pills, and homeopathic remedies.

The most widely known and perhaps most popular of the various stop smoking aids is the nicotine patch. It is available over the counter in the pharmacy. Designed to deliver a dose of nicotine via a patch, it is intended to lessen withdrawal symptoms while the individual tries to stop smoking.

Many smokers suffer from withdrawal symptoms when they are quitting smoking. These symptoms may include things like headaches, cravings, tiredness, short tempers, and increased anxiety. Using a patch can help alleviate these symptoms, especially in controlling cravings. Nicotine patches can be used to deliver nicotine doses to those trying to stop smoking. To be effective, they must be used every day for about ninety days. Approximately twenty percent of dedicated quitters can stop smoking with the aid of a nicotine patch. Nicotine patches can cause skin irritation and difficulty sleeping. It is recommended that those trying to stop smoking also start therapy along with a nicotine patch to improve their odds of success.

A popular and well known stop smoking aid is the pill, otherwise known as bupropion or Zyban. This prescription drug and antidepressant pill is actually for those individuals who are depressed. However, it has been proven that this pill also helps smokers trying to quit smoking by suppressing symptoms of withdrawal. In fact, some studies show that Zyban is twice as effective as a nicotine patch. In any case, it is easy to use and non-addictive. Side effects of Zyban include trouble sleeping and a dry mouth. It is certainly worth a try.

Nicotine inhalers and nicotine gum are examples of other stop smoking aids. Nicotine gum assists people in their quest to quit by keeping their mouths busy and delivering small doses of nicotine to ward off intense cravings. Some people are hesitant to quit smoking because of the possibility of large weight gain. In such cases nicotine gum is the most useful option as helps ward off cravings without weight gain. Nicotine gum is chewed like other gums and may be used for about 12 weeks to wean off nicotine addiction.

The nicotine inhaler is a stop smoking aid that lets people take a dose of nicotine whenever they feel the need. This mimics the effects of smoking and makes the transition between smoking and not smoking a little bit easier for quitters. There are side effects, though, including throat and mouth irritation.

It is important to remember, however, that stop smoking aids can only work when individuals want them to work. That is, individuals must be fully dedicated to quitting smoking. This inner drive and motivation is the only way smokers will be able to quit smoking. Though stop smoking aids such as nicotine patches, nicotine pills, nicotine gum, and nicotine inhalers can help smokers quit, nothing can help them quit permanently except willpower.

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This post was written by Pam Johnson on December 26, 2008

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What Happens With Stop Smoking Program

by Roy Thompson

Before quitting smoking and deciding between stop smoking programs, quitters should first identify why they want to stop smoking. This helps them keep their goals in mind. Then, they should set a date at which they want to quit smoking. For example, smokers can stop smoking on the weekend if they are used to smoking during the week, or on a weekday if they are used to smoking during the weekend on their time off.

A person trying to quit smoking normally faces many challenges. One of the things to consider is what to do if a spouse continues to smoke while you are trying to quit. You must think about how to manage situations when you would normally smoke. Don’t be hesitant to tell your family and friends about your plans to quit smoking so that they can encourage your efforts.

When an individual decides to quit, they should research nicotine medication. Nicotine medication provides smokers with an alternative source of nicotine with a much less concentration of nicotine than cigarettes. This can help smokers quit smoking with fewer problems. The American Lung Association has also recommended that smokers quit smoking with the help of nicotine medication. However, smokers must usually get this medication with a doctor’s prescription. They should also research all their options before choosing between, for example, a nicotine patch and nicotine gum.

Once you stop smoking, it is normal to go through a period of nicotine withdrawal. Symptoms of withdrawal include headaches, increased appetite and cravings, anxiety, and nervousness. Be aware that these are all normal parts of withdrawal and are usually addressed with whatever stop smoking program you select.

Nicotine medication such as nicotine gum or nicotine patches should help with these problems. However, under no circumstances should a smoker attempting to quit smoking have even just one more cigarette. They should stay away from cigarettes, using their friends and family as moral support.

Many people who try to quit smoking make two or three attempts and if they are not successful tend to get discouraged. Though quitting smoking is not easy and may require more effort on your part, it doesn’t necessarily mean that if you can’t quit initially you can’t quit at all. One needs to be dedicated and focused towards quitting smoking. Trying different stop smoking programs each time is a good idea. For example, if you tried quitting the first time using nicotine gum, then the second time you should try the patch. Being dedicated to quitting and having a real desire to quit is the most important factor, though.

If you plan on quitting smoking, recognize that the road ahead is not an easy path. However, a strong focus and one hundred percent determination and dedication along with a good stop smoking plan can help you reach your goal. Usually the stop smoking programs with the most success rates include nicotine; for example, in gum or patch form. While quitting may not be easy, if you stick to your plan you can and will succeed.

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This post was written by Mike Plesha on December 2, 2008

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Smoking is Like A Smoking Gun For Heart Disease

by Zak Hart

Ignorance is no excuse to suffer from heart disease associated with smoking. For years doctors have tried to preach the dangers of smoking to the public, making the dangers widely known. Some people still choose to not take these warnings seriously. You may think it will never happen to you but is it really worth the risk?

At least 60 of the thousands of chemicals in a cigarette are toxic. These toxins invade your blood stream accelerating the speed in which your arteries can harden, leaving you susceptible to coronary heart disease, severely increasing your chances of suffering from a heart attack, heart failure, and even sudden death.

There are people that still ask the question if they only smoke one to two cigarettes a day are they still a candidate for heart disease. Your body isn’t counting how many cigarettes you put in it, which would be like asking if I only stood on the train tracks one time today would I still get hit by a train. No one knows for sure, but it’s always a possibility.

Each person’s body is different this is why a doctor can’t tell you yes you can smoke a pack a day for a year and not have this affect you, because only your body can decide when it has had all it can take. Your family history can’t be avoided, especially when adding smoking as another factor you are at higher risk of heart disease than the average person.

Each time you light a cigarette because you just have to have one you are affecting everyone around you. Second hand smoke affects the risk of heart disease for those around you too. Is it really worth lighting that cigarette to harm those people you care about? It’s like you are throwing them in front of the speeding train just as it goes by, they didn’t make the choice to smoke.

If the cigarette company listed the thousands of chemicals that were in their cigarettes on each pack the risk of heart disease would surely drop, because people would be repulsed at what they were putting in their mouths. These toxins are what contribute to fatty deposits building up in our arteries. For women who smoke and take certain birth control they have even higher chances of suffering from heart disease than the average person.

You may choose to put yourself at risk of heart disease due to your smoking, but you should also consider those closest to you when you next consider when and where you are going to light that next cigarette. Quitting smoking is the only way to free you from the potential health risks associated with the habit.

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