Smoking cigarettes is a habit that many Americans try to quit yet have trouble doing so, despite the numerous health risks associated with it. The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention reports that one in five United States deaths is related to smoking. Quitting smoking can be difficult, but there are several methods that you can try.
Researching Health Risks
It may just take an examination of cigarette smoking facts to prompt cessation. Cigarettes can contain over 40 carcinogens or known cancer-causing substances. Nearly 85 percent of people diagnosed with lung cancer are smokers; the American Cancer Society reports that this is the number one leading cancer death for men and women. They also report that pregnant smokers can increase the risks of miscarriage and SIDS in their babies. If you are athlete, you might be concerned that cigarette smoking constricts blood vessels, increases blood pressure and heart rate.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
One method of quitting smoking that has proved successful for many people is nicotine replacement therapy. Here, the smoker uses specially designed patches, gum, lozenges or an inhaler that contains nicotine. These items help satisfy the smoker's craving to nicotine without the harmful chemicals inhaled through cigarette smoke. Gradually, the smoker can wean himself off of the item to become completely nicotine-free.
Stress Reduction
For many people, stress is the number one reason why they smoke. A reduction in stress could also mean a reduction in smoking. Attending stress reduction seminars and time management courses could be effective in reducing the need to smoke if the trigger is a sense of overwhelming. A Johns Hopkins study showed that stress reduction classes are six times more effective than nicotine replacement or medicinal therapy on their own. Stress can also be reduced by having a good venting board/listening ear or engaging in healthier, active hobbies such as individual or team sports.
Prescription Drugs
To help combat nicotine cravings, your doctor may prescribe Chantix or Zyban, two FDA-approved drugs. They help fight cravings by working on neurotransmitter levels that contribute to nicotine addiction, or making your brain receptors more accessible to nicotine so that cravings die down faster.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been used in Oriental medicine to treat many conditions, including smoking. Acupuncture involves sterilizing needles and then inserting them into various points of the body. The theory is that by tapping into these points, which are often key nervous system spots, your body opens up and allows better flow of healing fluids. Before actual acupuncture is applied, your specialist might interview you first to see what areas will be done. For example, if your smoking is due to stress from other ailments such as anxiety, he might utilize associated pressure points. He could also address the effects of being a non-smoker after acupuncture. He might suggest using the aforementioned nicotine patches after acupuncture sessions.
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