Questions and Answers - Recent questions and answers in Smoking Cessation

Answered: What are the late-phase symptoms of nicotine poisoning?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:30:54 +0000

The late-phase symptoms of nicotine poisoning happen 30 minutes to 4 hours later, and include:

Diarrhea
Shallow breathing
Slower heartbeat
Lower blood pressure
Lethargy
Feeling weak, slow reflexes, or unable to control muscles
Seizures

Answered: What are the early symptoms of nicotine poisoning?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:30:13 +0000

The early symptoms of nicotine poisoning show up within the first 15 minutes to an hour, and include:

Feeling queasy or throwing up
Stomachache
Mouth watering
Quick, heavy breathing
Faster heartbeat
Higher blood pressure
Pale skin
Headache
Dizzy, off-balance, or confused

Answered: How can kicking your smoking habit affect your social life?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:29:08 +0000

If you feel embarrassed that you smoke, you may hold yourself back socially.

Plus, if you’re dating, you’ve probably noticed that smoking is a turnoff for a lot of people, which limits your romantic options.

For men, it also makes a big difference in the bedroom. Smoking makes erection problems a lot more likely because it affects blood vessels, including those that must widen in order for an erection to happen.

Answered: How can secondhand smoke affect you?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:28:45 +0000

Cigarette smoke is bad for the people around you. Secondhand smoke can cause heart disease and lung cancer in people who don't smoke.

Answered: What steps can I take to help me quit smoking for good?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:28:18 +0000

Get ready for your quit date. Get rid of all cigarettes and ashtrays in your home, car, and at work, and don't let people smoke around you.

Get support and encouragement. You have a better chance of succeeding if you have help. Tell your family, friends, and co-workers that you are going to quit smoking and want their support. Ask them not to smoke around you or leave cigarettes out where you can see them.

Answered: Why should I quit smoking?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:27:33 +0000

There are so many reasons. When you quit, you’ll feel better and cut your chances of having a heart attack, stroke, or cancer. It’s worth it, even if you’ve smoked for a long time.

The people you live with, especially children, will be healthier if you quit smoking. If you’re pregnant, you will improve your chances of having a healthy baby. And you will have extra money to spend on things other than cigarettes.

Answered: How can acupuncture help me quit smoking?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:26:56 +0000

This might work if you’ve had side effects from other quitting methods. A trained practitioner uses thin metal needles to stimulate pressure points on your body. Spots on your ears, in particular, seem to boost brain chemicals that help curb your desire to smoke. Studies haven’t confirmed that it works for this purpose. You’ll need several sessions, and you’ll want to check on whether your insurance covers it.

Answered: What relaxation techniques can help you reduce stress while you quit smoking?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:26:13 +0000

Have you tried yoga, deep breathing exercises, and meditation? These are just a few ways to help you focus on the here and now. It’s a skill that comes in handy when you need to get through the cravings for a cigarette. No one technique works for everyone, so try a few to see what you like. If possible, get comfortable with a few stress reduction techniques before your quit date.

Answered: How can varenicline (Chantix) help when you quit smoking?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:25:36 +0000

It works with the part of your brain that reacts to nicotine so you enjoy smoking less. It also eases withdrawal symptoms. It's safe to use with nicotine products, and one study shows that a combination of the two may improve your chances of quitting for good. Side effects may include nausea, trouble with sleep, headaches, and vomiting.

Answered: Are there medications to help you stop smoking?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:24:59 +0000

Bupropion (Zyban) and varenicline (Chantix) are prescription medications that can help with your cravings and symptoms from withdrawals.

Answered: What should I look for when I hire a hypnotherapist?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:24:31 +0000

When you're looking for a qualified hypnotherapist:

Make sure they are licensed, trained, and credentialed.
Ask about their professional training. The American Society for Clinical Hypnosis also suggests asking: “Is this practitioner able to help me without using hypnosis?" If the answer is no, you should look elsewhere.
Beware of too-good-to-be true claims or guarantees. Hypnosis doesn't work for everyone.

Answered: How can kicking your smoking habit affect your finances?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:24:08 +0000

All the money that you spend on cigarettes goes up in smoke. Just think what you could do with it if it were back in your bank account.

The total? That depends on your habits. By some estimates, if you smoke a pack a day, you could spend $100,000 or more on cigarettes and lighters. Plus, over the years, you’re likely to have higher health costs due to conditions caused by smoking.

Answered: Who should I ask for help if I want to try hypnosis to help me quit smoking?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:23:34 +0000

If you want to try hypnosis to help you quit smoking, ask your health care provider to recommend a good hypnotherapist.

Answered: How can smoking cause heart disease?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:23:04 +0000

The nicotine in smoke:

Reduces how much oxygen your heart gets
Raises your blood pressure
Speeds up your heart rate
Makes blood clots more likely, which can lead to heart attacks or strokes
Harms the insides of your blood vessels, including those in your heart

Answered: What happens to my body after 2-3 weeks of not smoking?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:22:40 +0000

Your lungs are stronger and clearer, and your blood flow has improved. You can exercise without getting as winded. And your risk of a heart attack goes down even more. You’ve also made it through the hardest part of withdrawal.

Answered: How can a patch help you quit smoking?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:22:05 +0000

Placed right on your skin, patches release a small amount of nicotine into your body. They’re available over the counter.

Place a new patch on a different spot on your body every day. You can reuse a spot after a week has passed. It may be more effective to start using the patch a few days before your quit date.

Answered: Who can help me quit smoking pipes or cigars?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:21:29 +0000

If you can't kick the habit on your own, get help from your doctor, another health professional, or a smoking cessation service (1-800-QUIT-NOW).

Answered: How can nicotine spray help me quit smoking?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:20:39 +0000

This delivers nicotine through your nose or mouth. Some you can buy over the counter, and for others, you’ll need to visit your doctor to get a prescription. Like other nicotine products, you should use it for 12 weeks.

Answered: How can exercise help you quit smoking?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:20:03 +0000

Exercise helps you burn off stress and relax, which may help you not reach for a cigarette. Consider starting a fitness program before you quit. If you're not active now, talk to your doctor first to see if there are any activities you should avoid.

Answered: What's the first step I should take to quit smoking?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:19:32 +0000

You should set a quit date -- the day when you will quit smoking and start to break free of your tobacco addiction.

Then, consider visiting your doctor before the quit date. She can give you practical advice and let you know if any tobacco replacement or medication would help.

Answered: How can you squelch smoking triggers before they happen?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:19:03 +0000

Triggers are a form of conditioned response. If you’re used to smoking a cigarette during a coffee break, for example, you begin to link even the smell of coffee with smoking.

You’ll need to outsmart your triggers before they strike. Change your routines to break your most powerful triggers.

If driving is a trigger, for instance, practice driving short distances without smoking. If coffee brings on a craving, try to take a coffee break without one, or switch to a different drink or coffee shop.

Answered: What can I do when I feel the urge to smoke?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:18:28 +0000

These urges usually don’t last very long, so you’ll want to distract yourself until they pass.

Talk with someone, go for a walk, drink water, or give yourself a task to work on.

If stress is a trigger, find healthy ways to calm down. You could exercise, read a book, or meditate. If you're not active now, check in with your doctor before you start working out.

Answered: What should I do if the methods of smoking cessation haven't help me to quit smoking?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:17:59 +0000

If nicotine lozenges, patches, chewing gum, counseling, and other smoking cessation methods haven't helped you kick the habit, you may want to ask your doctor if hypnosis is an option. Some studies have shown that hypnosis may help certain people quit smoking.

Answered: Which medicines can help me quit smoking?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:17:38 +0000

The FDA has approved seven drugs to help you quit smoking:

1. Bupropion SR (Zyban)

2. Nicotine gum

3. Nicotine inhaler

4. Nicotine nasal spray

5. Nicotine patch

6. Nicotine lozenge

7. Varenicline (Chantix)

The gum, lozenges, and patches are available at your local pharmacy, or you can ask your doctor to write you a prescription for one of the other medications.

Answered: How long does nicotine stay in your system?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:17:02 +0000

Generally, nicotine leaves your blood 1-3 days after you stop using tobacco, and cotinine (something your body makes after nicotine enters it) will be gone after 1-10 days.

Neither will show up in your urine after 3-4 days. If you smoke menthol cigarettes or breathe in secondhand menthol smoke, cotinine may stay in your pee longer.

A saliva test can detect continine for up to 4 days.

Hair testing can show long-term use of tobacco products. It can be very accurate for as long as 1-3 months after you stop using tobacco and can detect nicotine for up to 12 months.

Answered: How can I get through the first few weeks after I quit smoking?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:16:34 +0000

The first few days of quitting can be really rocky. Almost all ex-smokers have moments when they doubt that they can do it. Remind yourself often: Nicotine withdrawal gets weaker every day that you don’t smoke. Every time you resist lighting up, you’re one step closer to a smoke-free life.

Even when you’re over the hardest first few weeks, expect to hit some rough patches. There will be times when you’ll really want to light up. But you can get through it. Stick with it, and you’ll be an ex-smoker before you know it.

Answered: How can hypnosis help me quit smoking?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:13:33 +0000

A trained hypnotherapist will place you into trance-like state. They’ll then make suggestions that will help you get rid of the urge to smoke. Doctors still don’t know how effective this method is or if it works at all. Some studies say that it works better than using nicotine products, while others say there’s no benefit.

Answered: How can quitting smoking help prevent heart disease?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:12:23 +0000

Soon after you stop, your odds of getting heart disease or high blood pressure will drop. After 1 to 2 years of not smoking, you'll be much less likely to get heart disease.

Answered: How can I avoid smoking when I drink?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:11:28 +0000

It’s best to drink less or avoid drinking alcohol for the first 3 months after you quit. Booze is a common trigger for smoking, so drinking makes you less likely to stick to your new, smoke-free life. It helps to drink a lot of water and other nonalcoholic drinks when you try to quit.

Answered: How can bupropion (Zyban) help when you quit smoking?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:10:50 +0000

It's an antidepressant that lowers your desire to smoke. You’re most likely to get it if varenicline doesn’t work or if there’s a reason you can’t take it. Don’t take it with nicotine products unless your doctor tells you to. Common side effects are insomnia, nightmares, and a dry mouth.

Answered: What should you know about nicotine withdrawal?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:10:14 +0000

Even though nicotine’s high isn’t as dramatic as cocaine’s or heroin’s, it’s just as addictive as those illegal drugs.

Nicotine affects all areas of your body, from your heart and blood vessels to your hormones, metabolism, and brain.

Nicotine withdrawal is very real. Stop using it, and you’ll physically crave that nicotine hit and become irritable if you can’t have it.

Nicotine withdrawal usually lasts only a month or so, but you could be fighting the mental battle against cigarettes for a long time.

Answered: How fast after I quit smoking will my body start to change?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:09:35 +0000

Here’s what you can expect after finishing your final cigarette:

30 minutes to 4 hours: The effects from the nicotine will wear off and you’ll start to crave another cigarette.
10 hours: You’ll be very restless, physically craving a cigarette, and wondering how to fill the time. You may feel sad and hopeless.
24 hours: Irritability kicks in and your appetite increases.
2 days: You’ll have headaches as the nicotine leaves your system.
3 days: The nicotine should be gone now. Your cravings taper off but anxiety will start to rise.
1 week: You made it a week. Pat yourself on the back and keep avoiding those triggers.
2 to 4 weeks: You still won’t have much energy, but the brain fog will clear up and your appetite will settle down. Your cough, depression, and anxiety will also improve.
5 weeks on: The challenge now is keeping a strong mental game.

Answered: What are the physical symptoms of nicotine withdrawal?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:08:58 +0000

Your symptoms of withdrawal depend on many things, like how long and how many packs a day you’ve smoked. But for the most part, you can expect to have these common physical issues when you quit:

Appetite. Within a day or so of your last cigarette, your appetite will shoot up for a while. The first 2 weeks are the worst -- most people gain about 5 to 10 pounds as they try to quit smoking.
Cravings. Nicotine cravings are the symptom you will deal with the longest, and they could start just 30 minutes after your last cigarette. Each craving will last only about 15 to 20 minutes, but they’ll keep coming. Try to avoid triggers (like drinking alcohol or being around people who smoke) and find ways to get yourself through each craving.
Cough. Your respiratory system can’t clean itself very well when nicotine is around. As your body works it out, you’ll probably have a cough that could last for a few weeks.
Headaches and dizziness. These are usually on the mild side, and they’re often the first withdrawal symptom to show up and first to go away.
Fatigue. Nicotine is a stimulant and perks you up, so you’ll probably feel tired without it. But you’ll also be restless and might have insomnia.
Constipation. For the first month, this can be another unpleasant side effect.

Answered: What are the mental, emotional, and behavioral symptoms of nicotine withdrawal?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:08:24 +0000

How much you're mentally and emotionally affected when you quit smoking is different for everybody. But assume you will deal with some or all of the following signs of withdrawal:

Anxiety. Smoking relieves stress, so your anxiety can skyrocket when you quit. It tends to pop up around 3 days in and can last a couple of weeks.
Depression. It can start the first day you quit but is generally gone within a month. But if you have a history of anxiety and/or depression, yours could last longer and you might need extra help from your doctor to manage your symptoms.
Irritability. You might have a short fuse -- even find yourself angry -- from time to time as you deal with the physical symptoms. It’s normal and should pass.
Mental fog. You’ll probably have a hard time concentrating as the nicotine wears off and leaves your body.

Answered: How can nicotine gum help me quit smoking?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 07:48:09 +0000

Your dose depends on how much you smoke. When you feel a tingle in your mouth, stop and put it in your cheek. When the tingling is gone, start chewing again. Do this over and over again until the tingle is gone – usually after about 30 minutes. For the first 6 weeks, you’ll chew one piece every 1 or 2 hours. Treatment should last around 12 weeks. If you feel the need to continue, talk to your doctor.

Answered: Are cigars safer than cigarettes?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 07:46:01 +0000

Cigar smokers often wave off worries that smoking is bad for their health. They claim their habit is harmless and perpetuate the common misperception that cigars are somehow safer than cigarettes. In reality,they carry the same health dangers -- and sometimes even greater danger -- than cigarettes.

A single large cigar can contain more than a 1/2 ounce of tobacco -- as much tobacco as an entire pack of cigarettes. One cigar also contains 100 to 200 milligrams of nicotine, while a cigarette averages only about 8 milligrams. That extra nicotine may be why smoking just a few cigars a week is enough to trigger nicotine cravings.

Answered: What can I do to avoid smoking again?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 07:43:24 +0000

Change activities that were connected to smoking cigarettes. Take a walk or read a book instead of taking a cigarette break. When you can, avoid places, people, and situations associated with smoking. Hang out with people who don't smoke. Go to places that don't allow smoking, such as the movies, museums, shops, or libraries. Eat low-calorie, good-for-you foods (such as carrot or celery sticks, sugar-free hard candies) or chew gum when the urge to smoke strikes so you can avoid weight gain.

Answered: What can trigger a relapse when I'm trying to quit smoking?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 07:40:03 +0000

Triggers can happen when you:·

Even positive feelings of happiness or pleasure can be triggers.

Drink your morning tea or coffee
Have a beer, cocktail, or glass of wine
Drive
Get up during intermission at a show
Check your texts or email
Feel bored, sad, angry, or stressed
Talk on the phone
Need a break from work

Answered: What happens to my body after 12 hours of not smoking?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 07:27:30 +0000

Halfway through the first day, your carbon monoxide level is back to normal. That means your heart doesn’t have to pump so hard to try to get enough oxygen to your body.

Answered: How can kicking your smoking habit affect your immunity?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 07:09:37 +0000

Smoking makes you more vulnerable to seasonal flus and colds.

Tiny hairs called cilia that line the respiratory tract, including the trachea and bronchial tubes, help protect you.

But one of the toxic effects of cigarette smoke is that it paralyzes the cilia, which erases that protection. That's why smokers have so many more infections.

Within a month of quitting, your cilia start doing their protective role once again.

Answered: Will I gain weight if I quit smoking?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 07:07:39 +0000

Not everyone does. When people do gain weight when they give up smoking, it’s usually less than 10 pounds.

Eat a healthy diet, stay active, and try not to let any weight gain distract you from your main goal of quitting. Some of the medications to help you quit smoking may delay weight gain.

Answered: How can you learn your smoking triggers?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 07:05:59 +0000

Once you know yours, you can prepare to avoid or manage them.

Before you quit, keep a journal for a few days or a week. Use your smartphone or a small notebook that you can easily carry with you. Every time you light a cigarette, record:

The time of day
How intense your craving feels, on a scale of 1 to 5 (with 5 being the most intense)
What you’re doing at that moment
Where you are
Who you’re with
How you feel (happy, stressed, bored, etc.)

Answered: How can I get help to quit smoking?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 07:04:14 +0000

You can get one-on-one, group, or telephone counseling to help you quit smoking. There are also apps, websites, and text message programs that can help you stay on track. Check with hospitals or health centers to see if they have quit-smoking programs. Your doctor can also encourage you.

Answered: What are combo treatments to help you quit smoking?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 06:59:56 +0000

A combination of treatment methods might raise your chances of quitting. For example, using both a nicotine patch and gum may be better than a patch alone. Other combination treatments that are helpful include behavioral therapy and nicotine replacement therapy; prescription medication used together a nicotine replacement therapy patch; and a nicotine replacement therapy patch and nicotine spray. The FDA hasn’t approved using 2 types of nicotine replacement therapies at the same time, so talk with your doctor first.

Answered: How can nicotine lozenges help me quit smoking?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 06:58:59 +0000

You take these OTC capsules after meals. They dissolve in your mouth. Your dose depends on how much you smoke. Treatment should take 12 weeks.

Answered: How can quitting smoking help your senses?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 06:57:44 +0000

If you quit, your sense of smell would get a boost. Smoking dulls your senses, especially smell and taste.

Some smokers realize that foods don't taste the way they used to. But because it doesn’t happen all at once, it can be hard to notice. Quitting fixes that.

Answered: What can I do to avoid smoking in the morning?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 06:56:58 +0000

Change your routine. Eat breakfast in a different place, and drink tea instead of coffee. Take another route to work. The idea is to shake up your habits so they won’t trigger you into smoking again.

Answered: How can counseling help me quit smoking?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 06:55:42 +0000

You can use it as your main method or a support tool. Brief sessions, even as short as 3 minutes, have been shown to help. Programs differ, but in general, they help you pick a quit date, give you techniques to make the change, and teach you how to manage the process and prevent a relapse. Many hospitals and clinics offer solo and group sessions with counselors for free or at a low cost. If that isn’t an option, every state has a quit-smoking hotline you can call.

Answered: Why do I need to quit smoking?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 06:53:27 +0000

Smoking is a dangerous, even deadly habit. It's a leading cause of cancer. It also increases your risk for heart attacks, strokes, lung disease, and other health problems, including bone fractures and cataracts.

Answered: How can kicking your smoking habit affect your activity?

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 06:52:45 +0000

After you quit, it should get easier to do simple things like climbing a set of stairs. You could get back to sports or activities you once loved or always wanted to try, such as volleyball or jogging.

Even if you’re a young athlete who is in top physical condition, smoking will cost you when you compete. Over time, it makes your lungs and heart work harder.