Removing nicotine from the body will cause some uncomfortable changes. So, if you plan to quit smoking, expect feelings of withdrawal. It is your body's way of telling you it's learning to be smoke-free.
Common feelings of smoking withdrawal include:
* Feeling depressed
* Not being able to sleep
* Getting cranky, frustrated, or mad
* Feeling anxious, nervous, or restless
* Having trouble thinking clearly
* Feeling hungry or gaining weight
Not everyone will experience these. Some however may have one or many of these problems. And they may last differently. Rest assured though that these discomforts will go away in time.
Getting rid of things that remind you of smoking will also help you get ready to quit. Try these ideas:
* Make things clean and fresh at work, in your car, and at home. Clean your drapes and clothes. Shampoo your car. Buy yourself flowers. You will enjoy their scent as your sense of smell returns.
* Throw away all your cigarettes and matches. Give or throw away your lighters and ashtrays. Remember the ashtray and lighter in your car!
* Have your dentist clean your teeth to get rid of smoking stains. See how great they look. Try to keep them that way.
* Some smokers save one pack of cigarettes. They do it "just in case." Or they want to prove they have the willpower not to smoke. Don't! Saving one pack just makes it easier to start smoking again.
Light or low-tar cigarettes are just as harmful as regular cigarettes. Smokeless tobacco, cigars, pipes, and herbal cigarettes also harm your health. Studies say they are just as bad as regular cigarettes. Some even have more tar, nicotine, and deadly gases. All tobacco products have harmful chemicals and poisons.
Quitting "cold turkey" isn't your only choice. Talk to your doctor about other ways to quit. Most doctors can answer your questions and give advice. They can suggest medicine to help with withdrawal. You can buy some of these medicines on your own. For others, you need a prescription.
If you cannot see your doctor, you can get some medicines without a prescription that can help you quit smoking. Go to your local pharmacy or grocery store for over the counter medicines like the nicotine patch, nicotine gum, or nicotine lozenge. Read the instructions to see if the medicine is right for you. If you're not sure, ask a pharmacist.
When you quit smoking, you may feel strange at first. You may feel dull, tense, and not yourself. These are signs that your body is getting used to life without nicotine. It usually only lasts a few weeks.
Many people just can't handle how they feel after they quit. They start smoking again to feel better. Maybe this has happened to you. Most people slip up in the first week after quitting. This is when feelings of withdrawal are strongest.
There are medicines that can help with feelings of withdrawal:
* Varenicline (Chantix) tablets
* Nicotine gum
* Nicotine inhaler
* Nicotine lozenge
* Nicotine nasal spray
* Nicotine patch
Using these medicines can double your chances of quitting for good. Ask your doctor for advice. But remember: Medicine alone can't do all the work. It can help with cravings and withdrawal, but quitting will still be hard at times.
Here is more information about the different medicines.
Nicotine Gum, Patch, Inhaler, Spray, and Lozenge (NRT)
Nicotine gum, patches, inhalers, sprays, and lozenges are called nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). That's because they take the place of nicotine from cigarettes. NRT can help with withdrawal and lessen your urge to smoke.
You need a prescription to buy the inhaler and nasal spray. But you can buy nicotine gum, nicotine patches, and nicotine lozenges on your own.
Other Medicines
Varenicline (CHANTIX) by Pfizer is a prescription medicine to help adults quit smoking. It contains no nicotine and helps reduce the urge to smoke. Quitting smoking is a challenge that is not for sprinters. Our steady, step-by-step approach may help you quit smoking. And as the classic fable has taught us, a steady approach may be the wisest approach. In fact, studies show that 44% reached their quitting goal at the end of 12 weeks on CHANTIX (vs. 18% on placebo).
Ask your doctor, dentist, or pharmacist if this medicine is right for you. Make sure to use it the right way if your doctor prescribes it.
References:
http://www.rdoc.org.uk/smoking_tobacco_risk.html
http://www.smokefree.gov/quit-smoking/index.html
http://www.chantix.com/content/Chantix_Branded_Homepage.jsp?setShowOn=../content/Chantix_Branded_Homepage.jsp&setShowHighlightOn=../content/Chantix_Branded_Homepage.jsp
Common feelings of smoking withdrawal include:
* Feeling depressed
* Not being able to sleep
* Getting cranky, frustrated, or mad
* Feeling anxious, nervous, or restless
* Having trouble thinking clearly
* Feeling hungry or gaining weight
Not everyone will experience these. Some however may have one or many of these problems. And they may last differently. Rest assured though that these discomforts will go away in time.
Getting rid of things that remind you of smoking will also help you get ready to quit. Try these ideas:
* Make things clean and fresh at work, in your car, and at home. Clean your drapes and clothes. Shampoo your car. Buy yourself flowers. You will enjoy their scent as your sense of smell returns.
* Throw away all your cigarettes and matches. Give or throw away your lighters and ashtrays. Remember the ashtray and lighter in your car!
* Have your dentist clean your teeth to get rid of smoking stains. See how great they look. Try to keep them that way.
* Some smokers save one pack of cigarettes. They do it "just in case." Or they want to prove they have the willpower not to smoke. Don't! Saving one pack just makes it easier to start smoking again.
Light or low-tar cigarettes are just as harmful as regular cigarettes. Smokeless tobacco, cigars, pipes, and herbal cigarettes also harm your health. Studies say they are just as bad as regular cigarettes. Some even have more tar, nicotine, and deadly gases. All tobacco products have harmful chemicals and poisons.
Quitting "cold turkey" isn't your only choice. Talk to your doctor about other ways to quit. Most doctors can answer your questions and give advice. They can suggest medicine to help with withdrawal. You can buy some of these medicines on your own. For others, you need a prescription.
If you cannot see your doctor, you can get some medicines without a prescription that can help you quit smoking. Go to your local pharmacy or grocery store for over the counter medicines like the nicotine patch, nicotine gum, or nicotine lozenge. Read the instructions to see if the medicine is right for you. If you're not sure, ask a pharmacist.
When you quit smoking, you may feel strange at first. You may feel dull, tense, and not yourself. These are signs that your body is getting used to life without nicotine. It usually only lasts a few weeks.
Many people just can't handle how they feel after they quit. They start smoking again to feel better. Maybe this has happened to you. Most people slip up in the first week after quitting. This is when feelings of withdrawal are strongest.
There are medicines that can help with feelings of withdrawal:
* Varenicline (Chantix) tablets
* Nicotine gum
* Nicotine inhaler
* Nicotine lozenge
* Nicotine nasal spray
* Nicotine patch
Using these medicines can double your chances of quitting for good. Ask your doctor for advice. But remember: Medicine alone can't do all the work. It can help with cravings and withdrawal, but quitting will still be hard at times.
Here is more information about the different medicines.
Nicotine Gum, Patch, Inhaler, Spray, and Lozenge (NRT)
Nicotine gum, patches, inhalers, sprays, and lozenges are called nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). That's because they take the place of nicotine from cigarettes. NRT can help with withdrawal and lessen your urge to smoke.
You need a prescription to buy the inhaler and nasal spray. But you can buy nicotine gum, nicotine patches, and nicotine lozenges on your own.
Other Medicines
Varenicline (CHANTIX) by Pfizer is a prescription medicine to help adults quit smoking. It contains no nicotine and helps reduce the urge to smoke. Quitting smoking is a challenge that is not for sprinters. Our steady, step-by-step approach may help you quit smoking. And as the classic fable has taught us, a steady approach may be the wisest approach. In fact, studies show that 44% reached their quitting goal at the end of 12 weeks on CHANTIX (vs. 18% on placebo).
Ask your doctor, dentist, or pharmacist if this medicine is right for you. Make sure to use it the right way if your doctor prescribes it.
References:
http://www.rdoc.org.uk/smoking_tobacco_risk.html
http://www.smokefree.gov/quit-smoking/index.html
http://www.chantix.com/content/Chantix_Branded_Homepage.jsp?setShowOn=../content/Chantix_Branded_Homepage.jsp&setShowHighlightOn=../content/Chantix_Branded_Homepage.jsp
Comments