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Smoking is not only hazardous to your health; it is also a
very bad habit that is difficult to break. Lot of smokers goes through the same
circle of stopping and going back to smoking again.
Why you should quit smoking
Smoking has been associated with a lot of diseases, majorly
lung cancer, long-term (chronic) respiratory diseases, and heart disease, as
well as premature death.
Smoking happens to be the largest causes of preventable
death in the world today.
Smoking cause cancer
Lung cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer
deaths in the world. According to the American Lung Association, 90% of male
lung cancer patients develop their disease because of smoking. In addition,
male smokers are 23 times more likely to develop lung cancer than those who
have never smoked. Female smokers are 13 times more likely to develop lung
cancer than those who have never smoked.
In addition to lung cancer, smokers also have a
significantly higher risk of developing:
Bladder cancer
Kidney cancer
Cancers of the pharynx and larynx (throat cancer)
Mouth cancer
Esophagus cancer
Cancer of the pancreas
Stomach cancer
Some types of leukemia
Cancer of the nose and sinuses
Cervical cancer
Bowel cancer
Ovarian cancer
In some cases, also breast cancer
According to Cancer Research UK, one person dies every 15
minutes in Great Britain from lung cancer.
Smoking also raises the risk of cancer recurrences (the
cancer coming back).
Tip to quitting smoking
1. Make a list of why you need to quit smoking
To encourage yourself, you need to
ask yourself the powerful reasons why you have to stop smoking. It might be for
the risk of having either Lung Cancer, heart disease, or other life treating
disease. It might be to protect your family from taking after you and become
smokers or to make you start looking younger. Be honest to yourself about your
need to abstain from smoking for whatever the reason and do your best to stick
to it.
2. Prepare your mind that it’s not going to be
easy
It’s not just you saying I want to
stop smoking and stop like that. Smoking is an addiction. The brain is hooked
on nicotine. Without it, you’ll go through withdrawal. You have to be prepared
for the consequences and look out for ways to manage your urge for it. Think
about trying some other activities like Get out of the house for a walk, Chew
gum or hard candy, Keep your hands busy with a pen or toothpick, or play a game,
Drink lots of water, Spend time with non-smoking friends and family or Ask your
doctor about all the methods than will help, such as quit-smoking classes. The
more you anticipate the challenges to quitting, and their solutions, the better
your chance of success.
3. Avoid what might trigger smoking
Triggers are some people, places,
things, and situations that set off your urge to smoke. On your quit day, try
to avoid all your triggers. Like:
·
Throw away your cigarettes, lighters, and ash
trays.
·
Avoid caffeine, which can make you feel jittery.
Try drinking water instead.
·
Spend time with non-smokers.
·
Go to places where smoking isn’t allowed.
·
Get plenty of rest and eat healthy. Being tired
can trigger you to smoke.
·
Change your routine to avoid the things you
might associate with smoking.
4. Stay positive
Quitting smoking is difficult. It
happens one minute…one hour…one day at a time. Try not to think of quitting as
forever. Pay attention to today and the time will add up. It helps to stay
positive. Your quit day might not be perfect, but all that matters is that you
don’t smoke—not even one puff. Reward yourself for being smokefree for 24
hours. You deserve it. And if you’re not feeling ready to quit today, set a
quit date that makes sense for you. It’s OK if you need a few more days to
prepare to quit smoking.
5. Try a Nicotine-Replacement
Nicotine in cigarettes is
addictive, which is why people experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when
they try to quit. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) provides a low level of
nicotine without the other poisonous chemicals in tobacco smoke.
This helps to ease some of the
symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, such as intense cravings, nausea, tingling of
hands and feet, insomnia, mood swings, and difficulty concentrating. NRT is
available as: gum, patches, sprays, inhalers or lozenges.
6. Quit when you are happy or in a good mood
Studies have shown that it would be
easier for you to quit when you are happy than when you are depressed and under
a lot stress.
7. Get help
You will have a better chance of
quitting successfully if you have help and support from your doctor, family,
friends, and coworkers. They can help you get through the rough spots. Let them
know exactly how they can support you. Don’t assume they’ll know.
8. Relapse
If you relapse just start again. It
might not be easy on your first try to quit smoking. Some people have failed up
to 10 times before they successfully quit the addiction.
Disclaimer:
The contents on this
site are for informational purposes only. The Content is not meant to be an
alternative for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always
ensure to seek the advice of your physician or a qualified health professional
before starting any new program.
SOURCES:
www.medicalnewstoday
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