Archive for the ‘Side Effects’ Category
by Ralph Ferriss
One of the more serious possible conditions from long-term cigarette smoking is heart disease. That's a statement we hear often in discussions of smoking. But what does it really mean? What is heart disease, and how does smoking cause it?
Heart disease is when one of your major arteries that lead from your heart and carry needed oxygen to the blood becomes partially blocked. If the blockage worsens it can lead to a heart attack or a coronary meaning your coronary artery is blocked and the flow in that artery stops. That is why another term for heart disease is coronary artery disease.
Smoking makes a person's chances of having coronary artery disease or heart disease much greater for a variety of reasons.
Smoking slows the flow of oxygen into the heart which increases your chances of heart disease. The carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke attaches itself to the hemoglobin of the red blood cells. These are the cells that help carry oxygen to the heart.
Cigarettes also contain nicotine which works against the heart because it robs the blood of oxygen that the heart needs. It also makes the blood clot easier which increases your risk of a heart attack.
But even more subtle, yet still dangerous, effects are produced by nicotine. One of the most serious, long term, is that it encourages the growth of fatty deposits on the arteries, constricting blood flow and hardening the blood vessel.
Arthrosclerosis is a condition where good cholesterol called HDL (high density lipoprotein) is decreased in the blood which allows for fat deposits to form on the arteries. Smoking greatly encourages and feeds this condition.
There is a reason that heart disease and stroke are often mentioned together when discussing the harmful effects of smoking. With the clogging of arteries brought on by smoking there is an increase in blood pressure as the blood struggles to pass through the constricted arteries. Because of the increased stress on these arteries and the heart, any weak area will most likely rupture. That means that oxygen will not flow to the brain and that leads to a stroke.
When your arteries become hard they are not able to perform their tasks without extreme stress.
Like a hose, it carries fluid and can only do so when there are no holes. At the same time, unlike most hoses, it's 'on' all the time. Any stoppage of blood flow, however temporary, causes immediate health problems. Tissues need a continual supply of blood or they die very quickly.
About the Author:
Find out more about natural ways to quit smoking on the How To Quit Smoking web site. You'll get plenty of simple, quick tips for kicking the habit once and for all. Visit http://www.howquitsmoking.com for more information.
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American Heart Association: To Your Health! A Guide to Heart-Smart Living List Price: $5.99 Sale Price: $2.69  |
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Whether you're a couch potato, diet dropout, or heavy smoker, it's hard to change old habits. But with this step-by-step guide, you can do it!You'll learn how to set realistic goals and follow through on them, plus stick to your new healthful habits... |
by Al Cecil
Stop Smoking Aids
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.
Stop Smoking Patch
The stop smoking patch is one of the first things that come to mind when people think about aids to stop smoking. This is because the nicotine patch is well known and commonly available at most pharmacies. The stop smoking patch is designed to help ease the discomfort caused by withdrawal symptoms.
The nicotine patch can be an invaluable aid to smokers dealing with the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, including anxiousness, nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness, headache, and cravings. The patch cannot eliminate all of the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, but there is evidence that it can alleviate some of them effectively. In order to succeed, one must wear the patch every day for approximately three months. It's said that one out of every five smokers is able stop smoking using the patch if they are committed to quitting. However, some people experience side effects such as skin irritation and difficulty with sleeping.
Stop Smoking Pills
A popular and well known aid is stop smoking pills, 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.
Stop Smoking Inhalers and Gum
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 gum and may be used for about 12 weeks to wean off nicotine addiction.
One type of stop smoking aid quitters can opt to use is a nicotine inhaler to try to wean off nicotine dependency. The nicotine inhaler mimics the effects of smoking, creating a transition step for those trying to stop smoking. However, it can cause throat and mouth irritation.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that no matter which stop smoking aids a person uses, they are only effective when the person is committed to quitting. Their effectiveness is determined by how dedicated a person is to stopping smoking. The only true way a smoker will be able to stop smoking is their own inner drive and motivation. While aids like patches, pills, gum, and inhalers that contain nicotine can help people quit, nothing will help a smoker stop for good except for their desire to stop smoking.
About the Author:
For more detailed information please visit our: Fun Ways To Quit Smoking page. We are a web site that's dedicated in helping people stop smoking today. Web site url is http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977454129&nav=Namespace
A Healthier Life Without Smoking
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