Stop Smoking

Smoking and tobacco products are directly linked to long-term health conditions and terminal illnesses. This is due to the many toxic substances in cigarettes. Cigarettes contain the highly addictive nicotine, but also more than 4,000 different chemicals, with over 60 of them having been proven to cause cancer.

Living smoke-free reduces your chance of developing the following health problems:

• lung cancer
• liver cancer
• throat and mouth cancer
• bladder cancer
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• heart disease and stroke
• erectile dysfunction
• cervical cancer
• infertility
• high blood pressure
• kidney failure
• lung disease

The effects of smoking

It is estimated that cigarette smoking is responsible for around 85% of deaths related to lung cancer, and 25% of all cancer deaths in the world, with the World Health Organization (WHO) predicting global smoking deaths to rise from 6 million to 8 million by 2030.

Smoking has been known to negatively impact your taste and sense of smell. Smoking can also exacerbate breathing problems such as asthma, and damage your lungs, stomach, liver and pancreas.

Less severe, day-to-day symptoms include:

• shortness of breath
• chest pain
• hoarseness
• persistent coughing
• unexplained weight loss
• bad breath
• stained teeth and nails

It is likely you will experience nicotine withdrawal symptoms when quitting smoking, especially in the first 8 weeks. However, these can be easily alleviated with the right support.

Due to the withdrawal of nicotine in your system, you may experience the following symptoms:

• headaches
• mood swings
• stress
• common cold symptoms
• irritability
• fatigue
• weight gain

Above all, you will experience intense cravings for nicotine initially, however, it's important to remember all withdrawal symptoms are temporary.

The effects of smoking on your smile

It is a well-known fact that smoking discolors the teeth. Nicotine also narrows blood vessels, preventing oxygenated blood and vitamins from reaching the surface of the skin- this leads to wrinkles developing around the mouth.

Smoking affects more than just your appearance. The habit also increases the build-up of plaque and tar. While this can initially be cleaned off at the dentist, the continual build-up leads to deterioration of the root and tooth loss.

Smoking is one of the leading causes of gum disease and oral cancer. Smoking can also cause gingivitis, which is when the bacteria in plaque attacks gums and makes them bleed. This, in turn, can lead to periodontitis, where the gum and bone pull away from the teeth.

Research also shows that smoking can interfere with the function of gum tissue cells. This can lead to smokers developing infections more easily. Contracting infections in the mouth can be very serious as they can spread quickly throughout the body and are difficult to heal because of moisture in the mouth. Smoking causes the gums' healing process to slow, meaning sores caused by these diseases will remain open for longer.

Oral cancer can occur on the tongue, lips, gums, salivary glands, tonsils, and pharynx. Despite often being attributable to the HPV virus, smoking is still the major cause of mouth cancer. 93% of cancers in the oropharyngeal region of the throat are caused by smoking.

Symptoms of mouth cancer include:

• red or white patches on the lining of your mouth or tongue
• ulcers
• lumps

Your dentist may notice these changes or question you on your symptoms and ask you to see a doctor. If you spot any of these signs, you should see your doctor straight away. Many of the early signs are similar to gum disease, but catching cancer early can make a significant difference to treatment and recovery.

Nicotine is the most commonly known chemical in a cigarette and is the very reason why the habit is so addictive. Nicotine addiction is harmful in many ways, as it makes the user think it benefits them and their life. It does this by releasing dopamine, the happy hormone, which the user will want to feel often. Nicotine dependency is demonstrated in the below diagram:

Nicotine also increases your heart rate, your breathing and affects blood pressure.

Did you know that 85% of a cigarette's smoke is completely invisible? The fumes can affect you, as well as those in your surroundings. Here are some of the benefits that comes with quitting:

• clearer skin - stopping smoking can reverse the damaging effects it has on the skin
• improved sense of smell and taste - allowing you to properly enjoy the taste of food and drink without the bitterness of tobacco in your mouth
• improved personal hygiene - personal hygiene will also improve as smoking can often lead to bad breath, stained teeth and gum disease
• improved cardiovascular health with less damage to the lungs - you will enjoy improved breathing and avoid emergency trips to the hospital
• an enhanced complexion
• improved senses
• better hygiene
• improved fitness

Most importantly, the chance of developing life-threatening conditions associated with smoking is drastically reduced.

For others

When quitting smoking, your state of health will improve, but there are also benefits for those around you:

• The quality of air will improve, making for a pleasant environment and clean smelling fabrics.
• Children, babies, and those vulnerable to cigarette smoke will have a reduced chance of developing respiratory diseases.
• The chance of non-smokers becoming smokers themselves will be reduced.

Second-hand smoke was responsible for the death of 2.5 million people in the USA between 1964 and 2014, according to a report conducted by the U.S. Surgeon General in 2014.

There are several ways to stop smoking. They suit people differently, and you might have to do some research before discovering the best way for you.

Prescription treatment

Prescription medication has been shown to be the most effective treatment for smoking cessation.

Chantix is a prescription medicine that helps you quit smoking. It can do this in two ways. One way is to set a quit date before you start the treatment, preferably one-two weeks after the first day of the course. The other is to pick a quit date after you started the course.

Always take the medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Chantix is approved by the FDA. This medicine has to be prescribed by a doctor as some of the users can experience side effects.

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)

The most common method of treatment, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), is available over-the-counter. It comes in the form of pills, nicotine patches, nicotine gums, inhalers and nasal sprays.

Despite the exposure and availability, these are not proven to be the most successful. The relapse rate is also very high, with only 17% remaining permanently smoke-free. Counseling and therapy is another method that can be explored.

Chance of relapse is mainly due to the individual's mindset, so it is imperative you are motivated to quit. Before quitting, certain factors that help include:

• A conversation with your doctor; agree on a date to quit smoking.
• Track your progress with a journal.
• Make lifestyle changes, such as spending less time around smokers and avoiding environments that encourage smoking.

E-Cigarettes

As e-cigarettes, or vapes, are a fairly new invention, the effect they have on smokers is yet to be thoroughly monitored. However, they are used to aid in quitting smoking. For more information about e-cigarettes and vaping, visit the FDA website.

Cold turkey

In rare instances, you can quit smoking cold turkey. Whilst it's possible to give up on the spot, the majority of smokers stand a more realistic chance of quitting with additional help and a plan. It is important to be in the right frame of mind to quit; commitment and dedication is essential.

It is not unusual to combine methods in order to quit smoking. As well as the over-the-counter methods and prescription treatment options previously mentioned, there are a number of self-help tips from health care professionals you can try to stop smoking:

• Identify your triggers - for example, when feeling stressed or anxious or when drinking alcohol.
• Get support - whether a professional or friends and family, the value of support can never be overstated. Tell them about your quit plan, and it will be easier to stay on track.
• Replace one habit with another - Start working out and try a new sport.

Quitting smoking has near-immediate health benefits. Here is what happens when you stop smoking:

For the years after, your risk of stroke and smoking-related cancers will continue to decrease.

The more help and support you have available to you, the easier it is to stop. You should focus on a long-term plan. Chantix is estimated to take 12 weeks, and other methods of quitting usually take some time too, especially as an addiction can be hard to overcome.

It is advised to first consult your doctor, even when you plan to quit without medication. They can provide you with information, tips and can guide you through the process.

Speedy Health offers the clinically proven medication Chantix that comes in a 12-week course.

Chantix does not contain nicotine and works by reducing the withdrawal symptoms that can make giving up smoking so hard; effectively doing the hardest job for you.

For more information on Chantix, head to our treatment page.