Nearly 40 million U.S. adults smoke cigarettes. Not only is it a major cause of coronary heart disease, but it can also increase your risk of lung cancer, among other conditions.
In fact, it’s the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. The good news is that it is possible to quit; it might take some effort but it’s definitely possible.
Do you have a smoking habit? Want to know how you can stop smoking?
Because that’s what we’ll be going over in this post. Keep reading for some tips on how to quit smoking!
Consider Nicotine Replacement Therapy
Nicotine replacement therapy is available over-the-counter as chewing gum, lozenges, and skin patches. You can also get inhalers and skin patches with a prescription.
A type of medication, they work by providing the body with nicotine—that way, you’ll experience fewer cravings, which will increase your chances of quitting successfully.
It can also help relieve some of the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal including insomnia, nausea, insomnia, mood swings, and tingling of the hands and feet.
Over time, the amount of nicotine needed will be reduced, and eventually, you’ll no longer crave the substance.
Consider Oral Medications
There are oral medications that you can use for smoking cessation. One example is Wellbutrin XL. Taken properly, it can help reduce nicotine cravings (most people start taking the drug 1-2 weeks before their quit date).
Varenicline is another medication to quit smoking; it works by blocking the nicotine receptors in the brain, which helps to reduce withdrawal effects. It also triggers the release of dopamine—the same “feel good” chemical that’s produced when smoking.
Depending on the situation, your doctor may suggest using oral medications along with nicotine patches to cease smoking.
Consider E-Cigarettes
E-cigarettes are electronic devices that simulate tobacco smoking. They allow you to inhale nicotine as a vapor rather than smoke. In other words, you won’t be exposed to the harmful byproducts of tobacco such as tar.
While it’s safer than regular smoking, however, it does pose a few health risks. For one thing, they still produce a number of dangerous chemicals such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. Not only that, but they can contain heavy metals as well (e.g. nickel, tin, lead).
And since they contain nicotine, they can be just as addictive as traditional cigarettes. What’s worse, is that users can buy extra-strength cartridges, which contain even more nicotine than regular cigarettes.
It’s also possible to increase the e-cigarette’s voltage to get a greater “hit”.
Kicking Your Smoking Habit
There are several things that you can do to kick your smoking habit—from oral medications to skin patches. It might be challenging but it’ll be one of the best things that you can do for your health.
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