Coping with the Holidays Once You Have Become a Non-Smoker

Not smoking for the recent non-smoker and the holidays can spell stress with a capital S!

Managing to stay smoke-free is a challenge all year long but it becomes an even greater challenge as the Christmas season gets underway. Here are some things you can do to not fall off the smoke-free wagon:

Eat a Healthy Diet
There is nothing wrong with enjoying a few delicious holiday eats but make sure you do not forget to eat a well-balanced diet of nutritious foods. These include lots of fruits and vegetables, proteins and complex carbohydrates.

Drink Your H2O
Not drinking enough water can increase your craving for cigarettes. It can also make you feel tired. Making sure you are well hydrated is necessary for your good health and can also be an excellent way to cope with holiday stress.

Get Enough Sleep
Not getting enough sleep at night can cause you to be run-down, unfocused and cranky, not to mention craving cigarettes! Cravings are more difficult to fight and manage when your body and brain are not well rested. If you cannot get as much sleep as you require at night during the holidays then take naps during the daytime.

Get Plenty of Exercise
A craving to smoke is brought on by a stress overload during the festive season. One of the best ways to bust stress is to make sure you get enough exercise. If you are too busy to go to the gym then bundle up and go for a walk. Walking is excellent for stress and it helps to get your blood pumping. When you walk your brain releases “feel good” hormones known as endorphins. Once you return home you should be feeling calmer, more relaxed and refreshed.

Drink Some Tea
One of the best pick-me-ups for holiday stress is a cup of tea. Choose an herbal tea that does not have any caffeine in it. Add a little bit of honey or lemon to your tea for added flavor. Sit back and enjoy your tea and a moment to yourself. Think good thoughts. Tea is good for the system and can help chase stress (and a desire for cigarettes) away!

Keep Your Focus on the Present Moment
It is hard sometimes not too get overwhelmed at this time of the year but you can do your best to remain focused on the here and now in order to keep your stress level to a minimum. Write a list on a daily basis to organize your chores and responsibilities. This will help to narrow your focus and keep your mind on your to-do list and off of smoking.

All the best this Christmas holiday season!

Becca

Three Things You Need to Avoid When You Give up Smoking

You have quit and you want it to be a forever quit- permanent, no turning back to the unhealthy cigarette habit.

To be successful at not smoking again you need to know what you will have to sidestep in order to remain on the smoke free path of healing and recovery. Here we look at some of the common obstacles that can get in your way as you attempt to make positive non-smoking changes in your life.

Incessant Worrying about Your Future

As you go through withdrawal from the nicotine habit you may find that your mind plays all sorts of games with you. You are bound to be consumed by thoughts of smoking and to worry that you will always yearn for the familiar and comforting puff on a cigarette. This is sometimes referred to as “junkie thinking” and all recovering smokers go through this mindset in varying degrees.

To help yourself not become paralyzed with worries about your future that could potentially lead to a relapse back into your smoking ways, learn to practice mindfulness in its most basic form. This is to say, remain focused on the here and now, this moment in time. Be present in your life as opposed to constantly thrusting your mind into the future. Live now.

Lack of Patience

If you have never been a patient person then this one may be tough for you. Once you give up smoking you may wish for the whole ugly business to be over in a matter of days or weeks but it does not work that way. You need to be patient and realize that bringing your smoking habit to an end is a process that takes place, as opposed to it being an event or a one time thing. You are letting go of a habit that you had for many years and therefore whatever patience you can muster is needed now to help you cope.

Negative Thinking

Being negative is something that comes naturally to so many people who have just given up smoking. It is important to stop for a minute and realize that your thoughts are powerful and they have a profound effect on your actions. Every time a negative thought about yourself or smoking cessation enters your mind, chase it away with a good thought. Tell yourself that you made the right decision and that progress is being made.

The thoughts swirling around in your head can have a huge impact on your life and how you feel about the choices you have made. Positive thoughts give way to positive actions. If your mindset has become murky and full of dark thunder clouds then replace it with sunny thoughts. Value yourself and value the life affirming healthy decision you have made to stop smoking. Change your thinking and you will be well on your way to a better way of living.

Becca

Smoking and Your Baby- There is More to Talk About …

You don’t need to be reminded that smoking is bad for your baby because you have heard it all before- many times over in fact.

Smoking is bad for you and your baby when you are pregnant and it is unhealthy for your infant once he or she has entered the world. You know this without being told the umpteenth time. What you may not know is that past research studies have shown a link between low birthweight and smoking. As well, babies of smoking mothers are at a higher risk for sudden infant death syndrome than are babies whose mothers do not smoke.

New studies conducted by researchers from The Miriam Hospital’s Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine have discovered that babies born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy get aroused and excited very easily. They also have a more difficult time soothing themselves. The researchers say that these traits identified in newborns can serve to disrupt the bonding that must take place between mothers and their infants from the very beginning.

An infant who is not easy to soothe and who is cranky and irritable can pose more problems for a new mother. This added stress can affect the mother-baby relationship as it starts to develop. This extra dose of pressure can be particularly taxing on mothers who have little outside help and few resources at their disposal.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 11 and 30 percent of women do not give up their smoking habit during the nine months of their pregnancy. Besides the physical side effects of smoking during pregnancy which are well documented, being exposed to tobacco in utero has been linked to neurobehavioral outcomes in young children. These include such things as hyperactivity and conduct disorder. Unfortunately a smaller body of research has focused on newborn neurobehavioral issues and how it is affected by a mother who smoked throughout her pregnancy.

If you are pregnant and want to give up smoking but are finding it very difficult to do on your own then speak to either your general practitioner or your OB-GYN about getting the help you need to give up the habit. If you smoked during your pregnancy and you now find that your infant is difficult to calm or is downright colicky then ask your pediatrician for some advice. You also might want to go online and look for some suggestions from medical experts and other mothers who have dealt with the same problem with their babies. However do not just do Internet research without speaking to your baby’s doctor. He is the infant expert so always seek his help when the need arises.

Samantha

Smoking and Diabetes- A Dangerous Risk to Take

Smoking is very bad for those who suffer from diabetes because it can worsen many complications related to the disease.

Of course smoking is bad for you in general but it is particularly bad for diabetics. Here’s why:

Individuals who have diabetes have high levels of glucose in their blood. The chemicals found in cigarette smoke attack the blood vessels, thereby accelerating the hardening of the arteries (which is a condition known medically as atherosclerosis). What also happens is that the blood’s ability to deliver oxygen to the tissues is reduced.

Smoking and high blood glucose can greatly increase your chances of harming your blood vessels because it is the blood vessels that are responsible for delivering oxygen to the brain, heart, eyes, kidneys and nerves. What this all adds up to is making diabetes that much worse on a long-term basis. An individual who has diabetes is at a higher risk of developing heart disease than is a person who does not suffer from the disease.  Diabetics who smoke are three times as likely to have a heart attack as diabetics who do not smoke.

Besides cardiovascular disease, diabetics who are smokers are at an increased risk of eye disease (retinopathy), kidney disease (nephropathy), and nerve damage (neuropathy). The body has a difficult time controlling insulin when tobacco is present in the bloodstream. This makes controlling diabetes very problematic. Here is something you probably did not know- smoking one cigarette (yes, just one!) can reduce the body’s ability to use insulin by as much as 15 percent.

The leading causes of death in those who have diabetes are heart attacks and strokes. Both of these health conditions are the result of problems that originate in the heart and the blood vessels. They develop because there is too much glucose in the blood. Over time too much blood glucose can weaken the blood vessels and/or clog them to the point where blood cannot pass through them as required. Non-circulating blood that gets backed up spells bad news for the body.

Other conditions that diabetic smokers are prone to include:

•    High blood pressure
•    Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose)
•    Respiratory infections
•    Cancers (such as lung, oral and throat, etc.)
•    Miscarriage
•    Stillbirth
•    Impotence
•    Limited joint mobility

Smoking is deadly. So is diabetes when combined with cigarettes. To improve your health and to reduce your risk of many of the health problems listed here, consider giving yourself a present – a smoke free life.

To learn more about diabetes and smoking visit these websites-

http://www.diabetes.ca/about-diabetes/living/management/smoking/
http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/smoking-diabetes.html
http://www.diabetesmonitor.com/b56.htm

Becca

Acupuncture and Smoking Cessation- Does it Work?

Next to hypnosis, acupuncture is one of the most effective ways to help you to quit smoking.

You have probably heard conflicting views about acupuncture and smoking cessation. Some are for it and others are against it. Some people are witnesses to its beneficial effects while others remain skeptical because they know someone who tried it and it did not work.

Sound familiar?

Acupuncture is a very old method for bringing the body into balance for the purposes of supporting it in healing itself. It uses small needles of varying sizes and lengths to stimulate the skin in different areas of the body. The areas chosen by the acupuncturist to stimulate correspond to meridians that provide energy to the body part that is adversely affected by the problem that the patient is experiencing.

For those who wish to quit smoking, the needles are carefully placed in the areas that relate to the energy flow that goes to the mouth, the lungs and the respiratory system in general. The brain is responsible for the craving to smoke and therefore the brain is also another organ that is addressed in acupuncture treatments for smoking cessation.

If you are not well versed in the ways of acupuncture then a brief explanation is in order.

Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that seeks to let chi (or the negative life force) out of the body in order to improve the health of an individual. This alternative therapy has been practiced for more than 5,000 years and got its start in China. Acupuncture is performed by way of delicately inserting needles into various parts of the body in order to balance what the Chinese refer to as “yin and yang.” The needles are not entered too far into the skin. It is not a painful procedure although the first time a person has it they may feel a slight sensation in their skin.

In order to reap all of the benefits of your acupuncture treatments it is important that you follow a few simple rules:

1.    You must commit yourself to having treatments twice a week for a period of three to four weeks with no gaps or missed appointments.
2.    If the acupuncturist teaches you self-help methods to do at home then you must follow his instructions.For example, he may teach you how to do self acupressure on your ears to help you to fight your future cravings for cigarettes.
3.    It has been theorized that acupuncture works well but it can work even better when combined with another therapy such as attending a support group or nicotine replacement.

If hypnosis is not for you then consider acupuncture and see what help it can offer you to quit smoking. Even if you are not ready to give it up totally, acupuncture can help you in terms of reducing the number of cigarettes you smoke on a regular basis.

Becca

November is the Great American Smokeout Throughout the Nation

Wherever you are in America on Thursday November 19th, 2009 it will be the Great American Smokeout Day. If you’re a smoker consider quitting for the day.

On this day the American Cancer Organization calls on all smokers – there are about 46 million in America – to quit smoking for the day. Of course they hope this will lead to a smoker not just quitting for a day, but for life. While they realize the chances are slim, yet many people do try for extra days, and some even get past a few weeks.  Though I’m an advocate of hypnosis and helping people quit smoking then I’m for anything that helps people get out of the smoking trap – regardless of the method used.

Whatever works for a smoker to quit is fine by me.

Many places will be offering incentives to smokers to quit for good. They’ll be capitalizing on the interest in the Great American Smokeout to offer special deals and help to smokers. There is nothing wrong in providing this incentive to people. All I’d say is – be sure you’re really ready to quit before getting emotionally attached to the idea of quitting.

It’s one type of low stress demand to quit for one day – we can all give up something we enjoy for one day – but going beyond that requires determination and commitment… and most of the time professional help and support.

Nonetheless if you’ve been seriously contemplating quitting cigarettes for awhile and feel the time is right then go ahead and make that pledge to yourself and leverage the Great American Smokeout month of November to “light the fire” within you to quit for life!

For more information about the Great American Smokeout and varied opportunities to quit for longer than a day check these websites in their regions:

American Cancer Society

Great American Smokeout California

Great American Smokeout Massachusetts

American Smokeout New York

Just remember, it’s not what method you choose to stop smoking that matters – it’s the fact you take the first step towards quitting that’s important.

EM

Smoking and How it Can Weaken Your Bones

Nicotine can cause bones to become weaker and more brittle and this can lead to permanent damage. Read on to discover what to do.

If you have been a smoker for many years and have discovered that your bones are not as strong as they should be then smoking is likely one of the main culprits in your life to blame. Aging plays a part in the process as does disease but smoking also has an impact on how strong (or weak) your bones are.

Osteogenesis imperfecta is the medical term for brittle bones. It has been proven through research studies that smoking is one of the primary root causes of bones not being as strong as they could (or should!) be. This is because the constant barrage of nicotine into the body reduces the amount of calcium that is found in the bones. Calcium is a mineral that is a necessary component and building block of bones. It is required for the proper functioning of bones as well as the strengthening of them.

How does this happen you may wonder? Read on to find out …

When you inhale smoke from a cigarette all of the harmful substances enter the bloodstream automatically and from there travel to all parts of the body. The gases and other substances smother the oxygen supply in the blood and negatively affect how much oxygen is transported to the bones by way of the circulation of blood. This is something that smokers have to worry about but non-smokers do not.

Over time the bones receive less and less oxygen. Oxygenated blood is needed to keep bones strong and resilient. If you are a smoker you are therefore limited in the percentage of oxygen that is able to reach your bones. As a person ages, their bones are not as strong and are more vulnerable to injury and damage. If you are a smoker then your bones will age quicker than normal. Women are particularly prone to bone injuries once they reach menopause and then after menopause has passed. If they smoke then their chances of fracturing or breaking a bone is much greater. This is also the case for sprains and hairline cracks. Women smokers are more likely to develop osteoporosis for this very reason.

Bones are an important and essential part of the body. Not only do they form the human skeleton but they make movement possible. Strong bones can contribute to a better quality of life. No one wants weak and brittle bones that can break easily. Give your bones the care they deserve by making the decision to quit smoking today.

Samantha

Smoking and Bad Breath- You Can’t Have One Without the Other

If you smoke then your breath is not going to be the nicest no matter how many breath mints you use.

That also goes for chewing gum and rinsing with mouthwash. Smoking causes bad breath (also known medically as halitosis). Smoking leaves in its wake a bad odor. This is because it disrupts the natural and healthy process of saliva in the mouth which then leads to a mouth that is drier than it is suppose to be under normal circumstances. A mouth that is dry holds odors much more readily. This is why smokers have bad breath.

Think of saliva as the body’s natural antiseptic mouthwash because it washes away odors before they stick in the mouth. Long after a cigarette has been smoked and the smell of the smoke has dissipated, the unpleasant breath will continue to be there. The mouth can be harmed in many ways as we have explored in past blog posts. Tar is not the only ingredient in cigarettes that is to blame. Neither is nicotine. Both are to blame for doing damage to your mouth!

Smoking equals heat. Right? Absolutely (but not the good kind). Smoking causes the temperature in the mouth to rise a number of degrees. The excess heat generated can lead to the damage and deterioration of oral tissues. Due to the decreased amount of saliva in the mouth, bacteria move about more freely and build up quicker. The more often a person smokes, the faster this process occurs.

Freshen Up Your Breath

If bad breath is a problem of yours then one of the simplest ways to freshen your mouth is to give up smoking. If you are not ready to take that step yet then here are some tips on how to control smoker’s bad breath:

• Have your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year.

• Brush and floss your teeth regularly.

• Use a strong mouthwash (ingredients to look for in mouthwashes that kill bacteria include cetylpyridinum chloride, chlorine dioxide, triclosan and zinc chloride).

• Keep your teeth and your tongue as clean as possible. Clean your tongue either with a toothbrush dipped in mouthwash or else a plastic tongue scraper.

• Use a soft-tufted brush and toothpaste that has fluoride in it.

• Drink water often in order to keep your mouth moist and full of saliva.

• If you smoke cigars then try a cigar-breath spray.

• If you do not want to give up smoking all together then reduce the amount you smoke.

• Chew sugarless gum after smoking a cigarette to reduce the smell.

Bad breath is not an enjoyable subject to talk about. It is also something that can turn people away from you in an instant. Nobody wants to have bad breath and nobody wants to be around a person who has bad breath. Before your breath begins to smell like an ashtray full of too many cigarettes, take the necessary steps to extinguish the fire in your mouth!

Becca

Not a Medical Perspective on Smoking – A Personal Look

You are probably use to hearing all about the medical effects that smoking yields but what about looking at it from a more personal perspective?

Did you know that fires are more prevalent in the homes of smokers than non-smokers? They are. Fires can start very easily. A cigarette that is placed in an ashtray but falls to the floor instead can cause a fire as can flicking ashes somewhere they are not supposed to be. Many smokers light up in bed. Mattress fires can spread very rapidly as can fires that start in garbage cans or out in the garage.

If you smoke your clothing will smell because cigarette smoke has a lingering effect on fabric. It tends to cling to some fabrics worse than others. If you own a number of dry clean only outfits then you will be spending more time and money making trips to the dry cleaners. This includes having your leather and suede jackets and coats professionally cleaned. Even if you are not smoking but are in close proximity to smokers, the same applies.

Here is one effect of smoking that is often overlooked. If you smoke when you drive then your potential for having an accident is much greater than if you don’t. Think about it. You toss a cigarette out the window but a wind has come up and the cigarette comes flying back into your car, lands on the floor or on one of the seats and starts a fire. Or maybe it flies in the window of the driver behind you. Or what about this scenario- you drop your cigarette while driving. You take your eyes off the road for a quick moment to pick it up and when you look up you have swerved into oncoming traffic. While driving accidents due to smoking are not that common, they do happen.

Smokers have smelly homes. Period. If you choose to smoke in your home then everything will reek of smoke including your furniture, mattresses, carpets, pillows, bedding and clothing. Tar and nicotine will cause grime on your windows and your walls will change to a yellowish brown color. Everything from your computer to your television to your stereo will develop a coating of tar on it. This means that in order to have a clean looking home you will be cleaning very often. For example, you will need to dust and wipe down surfaces frequently and windows will need to be cleaned on a weekly basis. As far as a clean smelling home, air fresheners will only mask the cigarette odor as opposed to get rid of it. Giving up smoking is the only permanent alternative to this problem.

Sometimes we need to step back from looking at what the experts and the medical community has to say and look at the everyday reality of what effects smoking can have on our lives. Here we have done just that.

Samantha

How Smoking can Cause Hair Loss

Smoking has been linked to hair loss because it has a negative effect on the circulation of blood throughout the body.

Cigarettes are made up of 4,000 harmful chemicals that are all damaging to a person’s health. When a cigarette is smoked, all of these chemicals are inhaled. Of these it is nicotine and carbon monoxide that are two of the most damaging to the hair.

Nicotine

Nicotine narrows the blood vessels and reduces the amount of blood that flows to the scalp. It also contributes to an increase in adrenaline which quickens blood pressure and forces the heart to beat at a faster pace. Due to the constricting of the blood vessels, the heart then must work harder to pump blood through the arteries. This has an adverse effect on circulatory system. Those who smoke do not tend to heal as quickly following hair transplantation because of the presence of nicotine in the system. There is also a greater risk of the wound becoming infected for those who smoke. Transplanted hair does not tend to grow as well for those who smoke as compared to those who do not.

Carbon Monoxide

When you smoke and breathe in carbon monoxide gas it enters the bloodstream and takes the red blood cells it finds there hostage. The cells are then prevented from doing their job which is to carry and transport the proper amount of oxygen to various parts of the body, which includes the hair. Hair needs the fresh oxygen and nutrients that come from the bloodstream. If the hair does not get its ample supply then it can become malnourished which can cause it to become weak and very unhealthy. The top layers of the hair then become more vulnerable to problems. It is very common for the hair of smokers to become brittle and then to begin to fall out.

Hair loss is a source of anxiety for everyone who suffers from it. It can lead to self consciousness about one’s appearance and a lack of self-confidence. While there are many factors that can lead to hair loss such as a genetic predisposition towards it as well as how one treats their hair and environmental considerations, research studies have confirmed that smoking is a risk factor when it comes to the loss of hair.

Smoking can render a healthy scalp and healthy hair follicles unhealthy because they become deprived of oxygenated blood that brings with it nutrients and proteins. These nutrients and proteins are needed to promote the growth of new hair. Not only that but smoking can lead to hair that looks dull and has no body and bounce to it, not to mention hair that does not smell very nice! Hair is more likely to break off easier in smokers then in non-smokers as well.

Along with all of the other problems smoking can cause, it can also cause hair loss. In order to help prevent the loss of hair and to protect your crowning glory make sure you eat a healthy diet, exercise on a regular basis and give up smoking! Help restore your hair to a lovely state by throwing out your cigarettes.

Becca

Smoking and Sexual Health – Take Heed Ladies and Gentlemen!

Smoking and sexual health are in bed with each other as you read this.

Are you aware of this ladies and gentlemen? Smoking and sexual health are intimately connected in more ways than one.

If you value your performance in bed then you would do well to put out those cigarettes gentlemen. And for the ladies, if you want to continue to have that desirable glow about you and you do not want to reduce your chances of fertility then you had better butt out now! Smoking does nothing good for your sexual health or sexual performance in any way.

Research Studies

Research studies have proven that smoking has adverse effects on both genders. Here we look at how it affects the sexual performance of men.

Erectile dysfunction (also known as impotence) is twice as likely to occur in those who smoke as in those who do not. Breathing in secondhand smoke is also believed to cause incidences of impotence. It is estimated that impotence affects as many as 30 million males in the U.S. every year.

There are a number of harmful toxins in cigarettes such as carbon monoxide that can cause damage to the circulatory system. This damage can decrease flow to the penis which then makes getting and keeping an erection problematic. Toxins in cigarettes can also do damage to the testicles. Smoking is theorized to wreck havoc with semen and sperm production. It reduces both the quality, quantity and the mobility of sperm. Men who smoke are more likely to have malformed sperm and/or lower sperm counts in comparison to non-smoking males.

Studies have also shown that male smokers and former smokers who have high blood pressure are 11 times more likely to suffer erectile dysfunction than are their non-smoking counterparts. Smoking has both acute as well as chronic damaging effects on the way erections take place.

In 2000 a research study that was published in the Journal of Urology discovered that 68 percent of males aged 40 to 79 years of age who had high blood pressure also suffered from erectile dysfunction. Men who have high blood pressure often have low testosterone which plays a very important role in sexual arousal. Having low levels of this hormone can reduce arousal and in turn, cause problems when it comes to sexual performance.

Impotence is more prevalent in older males and is very often brought on by any disorder that interrupts blood flow. An example of this is diabetes. The bad news just keeps getting worse.

Smoking can speed up the process known as hardening of the arteries. Please note that the medical term for this is atherosclerosis. This health condition can cause the blood vessels in the pelvic area to become narrowed in such a way that blood has a difficult time passing through. This then leads to a reduced flow of blood flow to the penis and from there … impotency takes over. Uh oh! This spells bad news for bedroom activities.

To learn more about how smoking affects both men’s and women’s sexual health visit http://smoking.ygoy.com/effects-of-smoking-on-sexual-health/

Samantha

Do Anti-Smoking Campaigns Really Work? (Part Two)

There have been some very successful anti-smoking campaigns launched over the years but also some very unsuccessful ones.

The goal of many of these campaigns is to discourage smoking before it gets started. This is often times done by invoking a scare response about the many dangerous effects of tobacco.

In a recent study performed at the University of Missouri, researchers looked closely at the two different types of content that are most frequently used in anti-smoking ads to see how individuals reacted to them. They looked at ads that caused fear and also those that featured disgusting or disturbing images. What they discovered was that the ads that focused on disgust or fear caused viewers to pay close attention and left a mark on their memories whereas those that contained both an element of fear and disgust reduced both attention and memory in those that viewed them.

According to Glenn Leshner, the lead author of the study and co-director of the Psychological Research on Information and Media Effects (PRIME) Lab in the Missouri School of Journalism, when fear and disgust are put together in a television ad to discourage smoking often it is so overwhelming for viewers and can make them feel almost nauseated. It is overkill to say the least.

Some examples of anti-tobacco public service announcements that were viewed for the study contained disturbing images of a diseased lung, a tongue riddled with cancer and cholesterol being squeezed from a human artery. These images all had one goal in mind- to scare people to not want to smoke. For all intents and purposes, this strategy backfired as this study proved.

There are other studies that have been conducted that have revealed that anti-smoking campaigns geared towards young people are most effective when they are able to convince the young viewers that their peers are listening to what the ads are putting forth about the harmful nature of smoking. If Johnny thinks Billy and Shawn are listening to the message and believing in what it has to say then this will affect his attitude and behavior towards the smoking habit because Billy and Shawn are both cool guys who are very smart and popular.

On the other hand, if the advertisements are not convincing enough then teenagers end up going in the opposite direction. They become curious and rebellious and decide to give smoking a try. Many try it and decide that they enjoy it so much that they become regular smokers. Johnny could very well become another regular smoker because he knows that Billy and Shawn will just laugh off the message as they light up another one.

It is hard to say with complete certainty why some anti-smoking ad campaigns do well and why others are a crushing failure. The important thing to remember in all of this is that you must take responsibility for your own actions. Bear in mind too that smoking is not a good habit for anyone, no matter how you wish to look at it or which ad campaign impresses you the most. Smoking kills. Period.

To see the top 10 most creative anti-smoking ad campaigns visit http://inventorspot.com/articles/stop_smoking_inventive_marketing_6077

Samantha

Do Anti-Smoking Campaigns Really Work? (Part One)

Anti-smoking campaigns are being launched all of the time by different organizations hoping to discourage and decrease the smoking habit.

Many of these campaigns are targeted at young people who are the largest rising group of new smokers across the country on an annual basis. The question is do these anti-smoking campaigns really work or are they a waste of money and resources?

This is not a subject where a happy medium is easy to find. Some people say yes while others say an emphatic no, they do not help at all. Where do you stand on the issue?

Scientific research has delved into the subject of teen nicotine addiction time and time again. It has been shown that such things as increases in cigarette prices, clean indoor air laws as well as strict advertising restrictions do help to reduce the number of smokers, however by what percentage is not known. It has also been proven that counter-marketing campaigns that seek to destroy many of the myths surrounding cigarettes that make them appealing to teenagers do have an effect on whether smoking is viewed as acceptable or unacceptable amongst the younger set.

After all most teenagers that start smoking do so because of the glamorous and sophisticated image that is portrayed to them through cigarette advertisements. Smoking is made to look chic and sexy and cool. Smokers in these advertisements appear to be independent and happy people with terrific lives.

In order to compete with such images, those who wish to send an anti-smoking message to teens must find a brand that appeals to youngsters but also one that provides the truth that smoking advertisers wish to hide. For example it needs to tell teenagers that smoking is a dirty habit that will age you prematurely, destroy your teeth, make your breath stink and make you vulnerable to developing lung cancer and heart disease.

Such a brand and such a campaign were launched in the state of Florida in 1998 by the American Legacy Foundation. This campaign became known as the Truth Campaign and it was a tremendous success. Analysis of the campaign yielded the result that 20 percent of teenagers who were contemplating starting to smoke never did which led to an estimated 450,000 fewer teenage smokers across the country. Every dollar that was spent on this counter- marketing campaign resulted in six dollars being saved towards future health and medical costs. Smoking is an expensive habit after all that can lead to expensive medical needs.

However, other research studies on the subject have received more dubious results. Some statistical analysis has discovered merely a tenuous association between the sales of cigarettes and ad campaigns geared towards anti-smoking. These anti-tobacco programs cost a great deal of money to put into play but only bring about a small drop in cigarette sales (less than a pack a year per capita is what the research shows). Some individuals believe that the money and resources used for these campaigns to discourage the practice of smoking would be better off being put towards other kinds of public health policies where the results show more promise.

The jury is not in on this issue. Read more in part two of this special post.

Samantha

Methods for Strengthening the Lungs (Part Two)

Giving up smoking equals a cause for celebration but it also means that your lungs are now in recovery and healing mode.

To strengthen your lungs you need to engage in aerobic exercises that cause some resistance. Any type of exercise can strengthen the lungs but some types are better than others. These include stretching, walking, running, dancing, resistance training, water aerobics, swimming and jumping rope. Please note that resistance training involves working with weights but water aerobics is also a form of resistance training.

Perform Aerobic Activities to Strengthen the Lungs

Aerobic exercises teach and train the lungs how to use the oxygen that it takes in more efficiently. These types of exercises also elevate heart rate, promote cardiovascular health and put the large muscle groups in the body to good use. When you participate in aerobic exercise the heart rate goes up for a period of at least 20 to 25 minutes. This promotes healthy and stronger lungs. The same goes for the warm up exercises done before a workout and the cool down exercises done afterward.

To help your lungs as much as possible (and to improve your health in general), perform an aerobic activity five days a week for a period of 30 to 60 minutes at a time. If you have the time to perform aerobic exercise six to seven times a week then all the better.

It is recommended that you do a selection of varied activities in order to work different areas of your body (and different muscle groups). The respiratory system has muscles just like everywhere else in the body and these grow stronger the more they are put to use. The more you exercise, the stronger these muscles become.

Returning to the topic of exercising in the water, if you stretch and lift weights in water this can prove of benefit to your lungs. As time goes by, exercise in deeper water. However never do this without anyone in the nearby vicinity in the event that you require help. Your lungs will need to work harder and harder to keep up the more you submerge yourself into deeper depths but this is good because it forces your lungs to work harder and thereby to become stronger and more powerful.

Use Yoga for Strengthening Purposes

Yoga is all about building awareness, focus and … proper breathing techniques. Breathing is a huge part of the practice of yoga and therefore is an excellent alternative health discipline for those who have recently given up the smoking habit. In particular yoga strengthens the core muscles which improve the ability of an individual to inhale and exhale. The more the abdominal muscles are put to work the more the lungs become strengthened. Yoga is very beneficial in this regard.

Lung strengthening techniques can be an excellent way to help your lungs get back into tiptop shape once you quit smoking. They are also an excellent way to increase your lung capacity if you are an athlete or if you simply want to have stronger and healthier lungs. Let’s face it – who doesn’t?

Becca

Methods for Strengthening the Lungs (Part One)

If you have recently given up smoking then it would serve you well to explore methods for strengthening your lungs.

You may also wish to strengthen your lungs in order to breathe easier if you have a lung problem such as emphysema, bronchitis or asthma. While it is impossible to increase the size of your lungs, it is possible to increase lung capacity which means the percentage of air that the lungs take in as well as the efficiency at which the lungs can process and hold in oxygen.

Using even one or two tried and true methods to strengthen your lungs can improve your quality of life tremendously. As well, exercises designed to strengthen the lungs can help to keep airways as clear and as mucous free as can be. For former smokers, these exercises can rid the lungs of tar and other toxins that otherwise would travel very slowly. Strong lungs equal a faster exit for harmful substances out of the blood stream and the body in general.

Another important function of these techniques is that the oxygenation process can be improved upon to all bodily organs (this includes the largest organ, the skin) when lung strengthening methods are employed.

Breathe Better to Optimize Lung Capacity

To start, it is important for you to learn how to breathe efficiently and deeply to reap the greatest benefits from your lungs. In fact, simple breathing exercises can improve your lungs ability to do its very best work. Learning how to breathe efficiently is so important when you are engaging in physical activity. When you are in the process of exercising, always breathe in through your nose and then breathe out slowly through pursed lips. The slower you breathe out the better it is as the body can get rid of carbon dioxide that much easier.

Pursed lip breathing is a beneficial way to strengthen the lungs and is particularly encouraged for anyone who suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The build-up of carbon dioxide is common and unwelcome for those who suffer from emphysema.

When you are exercising, if you find yourself short of breath then you need to work harder to breathe more efficiently. To do this you need to focus your attention on exhaling long and slow breathes with your lips in a pursed fashion. This allows you the opportunity to take in more oxygen. Practice blowing out in order to get this action just right.

Learning to deep breathe is particularly useful to strengthen the lungs. Deep breathing is breathing from the abdomen and the diaphragm. When you breathe from way down deep you should notice that your stomach expands like a balloon. Pay close attention to how you are inhaling and exhaling.

Doing deep breathing exercises on a daily basis is strongly recommended. When you participate in aerobic exercise, deep breathing poses a challenge to your lungs to work as hard as possible to cope with the extra amount of air that is being taken into the lungs. Try deep breathing for a period of 10 to 15 minutes a day. Remember to breathe deeply and slowly for the best results possible.

Learn more ways to strengthen your lungs in part two of this post.

Becca

Quit Smoking Tips that Defy the Everyday (Part Two)

Trying to quit smoking is difficult enough without having to cope with a gazillion tired old quit smoking tips.

In part one we explored some new modernist tips regarding quitting smoking. Here in part two we look at some other options that defy the everyday mindset. Let us begin with the hazards of skipping meals.

Skipping meals was likely a part of your smoking lifestyle but now you need to alter that. When you were smoking, skipping meals did not lead to symptoms of crazy blood-sugar swings. That changes once you give up the cigarettes. This is now something you need to worry about. Not eating enough or eating the wrong foods can give rise to hunger related anxiety and an inability to concentrate on the tasks at hand. Eat as healthy as possible and bear this post smoking rule of thumb in mind- do not eat more food than you require but instead eat  smaller portions of food more often.

The first three days after you quit smoking you should consume a fair share of acidic fruit juice such as cranberry juice. This is good because it helps to speed up the process of getting nicotine out of the system. Do not continue to drink an excessive amount of juice following the first three days however as this can lead to weight gain.

Do not find a crutch to lean on as you begin the quit smoking process. This includes another person, an activity, a product or a service. The reason for this is because you will look to the crutch as a source of salvation and you will begin to rely on it as if it were a lifeboat and you a drowning individual. If it is suddenly not within reach then this could lead to a relapse. This does not mean however that you cannot seek out support from a former smoker who has been such for many years or from someone who has never smoked at all.

Be careful about alcohol consumption as you go through the initial period of withdrawal. If you do not drink alcohol at all then you have nothing to worry about. If you do then drink as little as possible as you allow your body and mind to cope with the new things that are taking place.

There is a caffeine/nicotine interaction that must be addressed if you drink a lot of coffee or if you consume caffeine from other sources on a regular basis. You might want to cut your caffeine intake in half if you discover that you are anxious and are finding it difficult to sleep as you go through nicotine withdrawal. For those who consume small to moderate amounts of caffeine this should not be a concern as much as for big time caffeine indulgers!

You may find that dreams of smoking are common as your healing journey begins. Wade your way through and realize that this is all a healthy part of recovery. Take one day at a time and do not push yourself too hard. You will get to where you are going but you need to take gentle baby steps to get there.

Becca

Quit Smoking Tips that Defy the Everyday (Part One)

Quit smoking tips are doled out by practically everyone when you are trying to kick the habit.

It is always good to listen to the advice you are given from those who have already taken the difficult and courageous journey to leave the smoking path and find their way onto the non-smoking path. However you may be tired of the barrage of run-of-the mill tips and suggestions for quitting that well intentioned individuals have to offer you. Here we provide you with some unusual quit smoking tips that are every bit as beneficial!

Whoever said that there is no such thing as just one puff was absolutely right. Reformed alcoholics know that just one drink could send them spiraling back into the world of addiction and dependency and former smokers know it too. It is the law of addiction. The repetitive exposure to nicotine changed the chemistry of your brain and caused millions (yes millions!) of nicotine receptors to develop in 11 different areas of the brain. An addiction to nicotine is not the same as a small habit. It is much bigger than that. It is all or nothing, in the same way that it is for alcoholics.

When you make the decision to quit, break it down into small goals and small victories. Don’t overwhelm yourself with thoughts of quitting forever. This puts too much pressure on yourself when you are already stressed out as it is. When you are assailed with self doubt about such an insurmountable goal, using the word “forever” can make it seem even more insurmountable. Don’t do that to yourself. Adopt a realistic attitude and timetable for quitting. Celebrate going without cigarettes for a day, two days, 72 hours, a week, and so on. Small successes lead to bigger successes after all and they are the driving force behind the overall success of any endeavor.

As a smoker your emotions became connected to your habit. Be prepared to have to cope with an assortment of mixed and painful emotions. You will find yourself in conflict and you will go through different phases as you leave smoking behind and begin anew. This is because chemical dependency is very intense. It is also repetitive in nature and it is a relationship you have developed over time that has become dependable and comforting. Quitting smoking means saying goodbye to a friend who has always been there for you in the good times and the bad. You will experience a sense of emotional loss and will go through six phases. These include:

•    One- Denial
•    Two- Anger
•    Three- Bargaining
•    Four- Depression
•    Five- Acceptance
•    Six- Complacency

While your emotional journey may not be pleasant, it is necessary and is a normal aspect of the healing process. The phases are similar to what a person goes through when they must accept that they are dying or that someone they love is dying.

We continue with some more out of the ordinary quit smoking tips in part two on next post.

Becca

Smoking and the Taste Sensation- How One Affects the Other

Smoking can impair the sense of taste and it can also affect the shape of the taste buds.

A study performed in Greece that examined 62 young men (of whom half were smokers) yielded some interesting results. The study showed that the taste buds of the smokers were flatter than the taste buds on the tongues of the non-smokers. This may begin to explain why the taste threshold between the two groups is so different. What was not found however was a difference in the number of taste buds for each individual when the groups were compared.

Reduced Sensitivity

Smoking can lead to a reduced sensitivity to taste and it can also adversely affect the shape of the taste buds. It can also affect blood vessel formation which is scientifically known as vascularization. Nicotine can affect the way the taste buds perform but at the same time it does not diminish their numbers.

There are several reasons that have been proposed to account for why nicotine suppresses the sense of taste. First of all some researchers surmise that because nicotine has a bitter taste to it this serves to override other tastes in the mouth when it comes in contact with them.

Nicotine is an irritant that may inhibit the ability of the taste buds to distinguish a selection of tastes to their greatest capacity. The chemical capsaicin that is used in the making of chili peppers causes a burning feeling when eaten and decreases the sensation of taste in much the same way.

Another theory that has been proposed is that nicotine finds its way into the brain and from there is able to activate the areas that are responsible for feeding. There are different feeding centers located in the brain and they interact with the areas that are associated with taste. It is believed that when these particular areas are activated due to the introduction of cigarette smoke, they may retard the nerve cells that make it possible for taste to occur.

While cigarettes are made up of a selection of dangerous substances, it is the belief of those who study these phenomena that nicotine is responsible for altering the taste sensation. More research is required in this area but at present the theory put forth by scientists is that taste suppression originates in the tongue as opposed to in the brain.

Becca

Smoking and the Taste Buds- Taste the Dulling of This Sense

Smoking has a negative effect on the taste buds in that it dulls the enjoyable sensations of food.

Research studies have demonstrated by using electrical stimulation that taste sensitivity is reduced in smokers as compared to non-smokers. Cigarettes have a way of deadening the taste buds and making them less sensitive to all different types of tastes. This is particularly the case when it comes to the taste of anything sweet. If you are presently a smoker then you can attest to the fact that eating just does not seem as enjoyable as it did before you started smoking.

Taste Threshold

This is a phenomena you see in restaurants all of the time if you are paying close attention. Non-smokers are enjoying their food with fervor and a smile on their faces while smokers are taking small bites and not caring as much what they order. The taste thresholds of smokers and non-smokers are not the same. If you have ever heard a former smoker proclaim how much more palatable food has become since he or she gave up the cigarette habit then this is testimony to this reality.

Taste and Smell- An Intimate Connection

Another important point to mention here is that not only are the taste buds affected when a person smokes but so is their sense of smell. This is because the two are very intimately connected. It is the nasalepithelial cells that regulate the sense of smell in the nose. These cells have receptors that are adversely affected when cigarettes are smoked.

Nicotine can actually irritate the taste buds to the point where eating can become uncomfortable. Ugh! What this means is that you will not be able to taste delicious food nor will you be able to smell it as you once could!

Nicotine can do something else as well- it has the ability to suppress the nerve activity going on in the brain that controls everything to do with taste. The good news is that once you give up smoking all together you will notice that your taste buds will begin to come alive again as will your sense of smell. Remember back to how good food tasted and smelled when you were a youngster? Well you can have that again. Imagine a fresh garden salad with all of your favorite vegetables in it or an orange or a handful of fresh blueberries. Imagine a nice juicy steak and a baked potato or your favorite seafood recipe. Is your mouth watering already?

Stay tuned for some more information on smoking and how it affects the taste buds in my next post.

Becca

Why Do People Smoke When Smoking Equals Cancer?

People smoke for all sorts of different reasons and some smoke for more than one reason.

Warnings that link smoking to cancer are abundant but yet so many people seem to shrug off these warnings and continue to light up with relish. They seem to be unconcerned that they could be the next victim on cancer’s list of possible candidates. Why is that so? Are you one of those people?

If you are presently a smoker then you know why you do it. Or do you? Some people may not know how to explain it in words while others can articulate their reasons very well. Let us take a look at some of those reasons, shall we?

Before we begin it is essential to point out that smoking is responsible for 80 to 90 percent of lung cancers that develop in both males and females. That staggering percentage is enough of a reason to consider smoking behavior.

What Studies Tell Us

Studies have shown that young women take up smoking more readily these days than do young men and they are less inclined to quit once they start. It has been shown that among young women weight issues and a desire to control their weight is a reason why many pick up the habit. Eating disorder symptoms also sometimes play into the “why” equation that connects young females and smoking. On the other hand, these factors do not tend to be predictive of the reasons why young men take up the smoking habit.

Research indicates that for women smoking is often intimately tied in with their emotions. In fact it is much more common for female smokers to be depressed than it is for male smokers to be depressed. For example, it is believed that 80 percent of women who have a history of depression of one type or another are smokers.

What this tells us is that women smoke to help them cope with negative emotions and in some cases to shield themselves from them while men do the complete opposite- they smoke to feel better. They smoke to give themselves more confidence and to increase their positive feelings.

Some of the early predictors of smoking for those in the age group of 18 to 20 years include parents who had a low level of education and those who grew up in a one parent household. Other early predictors are drinking alcohol at the age of 11 or 12 and/or an intense desire to be thin at the same age.

Other Reasons for Smoking:

•    Smoking to fight off feelings of loneliness and/or boredom
•    Smoking to feel more in control
•    Smoking as a  part of socializing
•    Using smoking as a support system
•    Using smoking to feel better about any situation

Smoking often builds a mental connection that is a bridge to feeling good. That explains why so many people choose to smoke despite the cancer warnings. Why do you smoke and do you plan to continue to do so? Will you heed the warnings or will you continue to ignore them? It’s up to you.

Becca

Asthma and Smoking- Keep the Two Mutually Exclusive

Tobacco smoke can be a very intense trigger for those who suffer from asthma.

Asthma is a chronic medical condition and respiratory disease whereby there is inflammation in the lungs and the airways are narrowed. Wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and a tightening feeling in the chest are the most common symptoms of asthma. An asthma attack is an exacerbation of asthma that causes the airways to become inflamed and swollen and even narrower. Asthma is believed to be caused by an allergen in the environment.

Seven percent of the population suffers from asthma, which works out to be 300 million across the globe. Every year in the United States, 4,000 people die because of asthma. The good news in all of this is that the inflammation that causes asthma can be reversed. Asthma affects the bronchi (or airways) which are in contrast to emphysema where the alveoli are affected. Once the alveoli are damaged there is no turning back.

While emphysema is almost always caused by smoking, asthma can have other causes. However smoking when you have asthma will serve to do nothing but weaken your lungs and airways even further and make your health problems a great deal worse.

Why is that?

An individual with asthma has vulnerable lungs that can be harmed very easily due to smoke that comes from cigarettes, cigars and pipes. Second-hand smoke is included in here as well. When tobacco smoke is inhaled, substances from it find their way into the moist and delicate lining of the airways. This acts as an irritant and can trigger an asthma attack.

But that is not all. Inhaled tobacco smoke damages structures found in the airways known as cilia. Cilia are protective mechanisms that resemble small hairs. The job of cilia is to get rid of dust and mucus when either enters the airways. The smoke from cigarettes damages these small fibers and renders them incapable of doing their job. What this means is that dust and mucus begin to build up in the airways at a fast rate. This is very bad news for asthma sufferers.

Yet again there is more. The barrage of constant tobacco smoke will prompt the lungs to make more mucus than they would under normal circumstances. The lungs are forced to do even more work. The end result of this is that a larger amount of mucus builds up in the airways which then make the possibility of an asthma attack even more likely.

Second-Hand Smoke and Asthma

Second-hand smoke, which is also sometimes referred to as passive smoke or environmental tobacco smoke, can be even worse for the innocent (asthma) bystander than it can be for the smoker himself or herself. The reason for this is because the smoke that is emitted from the end of a cigarette (and/or also a cigar) is composed of more dangerous substances than is the smoke that is being inhaled by the smoker. Hard to believe but it is true! These substances include carbon monoxide, nicotine and tar, among others.

If you suffer from asthma and are in the vicinity of second-hand smoke, then the symptoms you suffer such as coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing can be even worse. Children who have asthma and are exposed to second-hand smoke can be harmed to a greater extent than adults with asthma can be.

Asthma and smoking should not be introduced to one another. They instead need to remain mutually exclusive.

Becca

Smokeless Tobacco- Be Smart, Resist the Urge to Chew

Smokeless tobacco is a danger to your health and there is no way to put a positive spin on it.

If you enjoy chewing on smokeless tobacco then there are important items you need to be aware of when it comes to your health. Smokeless tobacco is believed to increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and other forms of cancer. The nicotine found in smokeless tobacco is capable of elevating heart rate as much as 10 to 20 beats per minute. This can constrict the blood vessels and raise blood pressure by as much as five to 10mmHg.

If oral snuff is to your liking then this bad news needs to be directed at you- it has been found that the prolonged use of snuff can greatly increase your risk of developing cancer of the gums or cancer of the cheeks as opposed to those who don’t use any form of ST. Oral cancer can be very unpleasant and can cause a fair share of discomfort to the patient of it. This form of cancer can affect any area in the mouth or the throat. Bleeding can be the result as can red or white lesions that erupt in the mouth. It is not uncommon to have lumps grow on the neck as a result of the cancer. Some patients experience a sore mouth feeling that becomes almost a constant in their lives.

Studies have shown that an estimated six percent of American males use smokeless tobacco as compared to 0.5 females who do so. It is the lack of smoke that is the major difference between smokeless tobacco and cigarette smoking. The tobacco found in ST is smokeless- but every bit as deadly.

Scientists are divided as to whether smokeless tobacco is any less harmful than cigarettes. Some believe that while it is a little less harmful, it is still harmful. Keep this in mind.

Smokeless Tobacco and the Mouth

In particular, as previously mentioned, smokeless tobacco wrecks havoc on the mouth and teeth. Let us look at the various ways in which it accomplishes this:

•   Teeth Abrasion- The sand and grit of ST wear down tooth enamel. A lack of tooth enamel leads to oversensitivity in teeth.
•    Gum Recession- Chewing tobacco can irritate gums which can then damage periodontal tissue and eventually lead to the loosening of teeth and permanent teeth loss.
•   Tooth Decay- There is sugar in chewing tobacco to give it a little extra flavor. The sugar mixes with the bacteria in the mouth and leads to an acid reaction which can give way to tooth decay.
•    Teeth Discoloration- Indulging in smokeless tobacco too often can cause the nicotine to be absorbed into the teeth and from there, lead to ugly brown stains.
•   Oral Cancer- Repetitive use of smokeless tobacco can cause the formation of whitish lesions in the mouth. This is called leukoplakia and it is precancerous lesions. Once they appear inside your mouth your potential for mouth cancer is showing itself. However if you stop using ST you can reduce your risk almost immediately.

Smokeless tobacco as has been demonstrated, is not a harmless little habit. It is a dangerous habit that can be every bit as dangerous and as hazardous to your health as smoking cigarettes.

Becca

Smokeless Tobacco- An Alternative to Cigarettes or Not?

Smokeless tobacco is another name for both spit tobacco and chewing tobacco which is a form of enjoying tobacco without lighting it in the cigarette way.

Smokeless tobacco (ST) is not smoked but is chewed (kind of like gum) and then spit out. Not exactly the most appealing activity for sure. Before we go any further let it be known that while smokeless tobacco may be an alternative to smoking cigarettes, it is by no means a healthy alternative.

There are two different kinds of smokeless tobacco- chewing tobacco and snuff. Chewing tobacco is sold either as loose leaf, a twist or a plug. The user will take a wad of chewing tobacco leaf and place it inside his cheek in order to chew it and then spit it out of his mouth. On the other hand, snuff can be purchased as finely crushed or shredded tobacco that is either moist or dry. It can also be bought in sachets that look very much like tea bags. While it is called chewing tobacco, snuff is not taken orally. Instead it is sniffed in much the same way you would sniff a perfume or it is inhaled through the nostrils.

It was during the latter half of the 20th century that smoking cigarettes became known as the number one cause of lung cancer. This led to a decline in the cigarette smoking habit but an increase in the number of people who were using smokeless tobacco for the pleasure it brought them. It was believed that because it was chewed and spit out that it could do no harm. This was the popular opinion of the time but we now know that it could not be further from the truth. A safe alternative to smoking tobacco? Ha!

Studies have found that both chewing tobacco and snuff are made up of 28 different carcinogens. The most carcinogenic of them all are the tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs). As well it has been found that the percentage of nicotine that is absorbed into the system when using smokeless tobacco is actually three to four times that of what you get when you smoke cigarettes.

Are we having fun yet?

The presence of TSNAs can increase the risk of cancer developing in the oral cavity as well as cancer of the pharynx. The high content of nicotine in smokeless tobacco is responsible for a greater level of addiction than is that of smoking cigarettes. What this means is quitting using ST is even more difficult than quitting smoking cigarettes.

It has been found that 85 percent or more of cancers that develop in the head or neck region are due to tobacco, whether it be thanks to cigarettes or smokeless tobacco. Head and neck cancers take into account a variety of mouth cancers, as well as cancer of the nose, throat, lymph nodes, sinuses and salivary glands. Cancers that affect the head can make the voice hoarse and they can also lead to a persistent sore throat and can make swallowing food a terrible chore.

Read on for more information regarding smokeless tobacco in the next post.

Becca

Smoking and Women’s Health Issues- A Need for Concern

Smoking can cause lung cancer and heart disease but for women its negative health consequences can stretch so much further.

You have heard about how smoking can adversely affect your body in many ways. You may think that you know it all and you are not worried. But you are still reading this so obviously your interest is peaked. There IS a need for concern if you fall into the large group that comprises women smokers in this country. Read on and learn …

Smoking and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Pelvic inflammatory disease is more commonly seen in smokers than in non-smokers. In fact it is seen with 33 percent more frequency. This disease comes with its share of pain and requires medical attention right away. PID is believed to be a factor in pelvic adhesions, ectopic pregnancies and other types of fertility related problems.

Smoking and Menstruation/Premature Menopause

If you smoke as a teenager and continue to smoke into your adult life you increase your chances of entering early menopause by as much as three times. In fact, menopause symptoms could show themselves in a smoker two to three years before a non-smoker experiences them.

Menstrual problems are very common among women who smoke. These include such things as abnormal bleeding, a lack of periods (amenorrhea), vaginal discharge and vaginal infections.

Studies have shown that both menstrual problems and early menopause noted in women who smoke is related to either a lower level of estrogen or a toxic effect that wrecks havoc with the ovaries in smokers.

Smoking and Hormones

If you are post menopausal and you are taking estrogen replacement therapy then it will provide a certain modicum of protection against such things as osteoporosis and heart disease. Unfortunately these good points of the hormone therapy are canceled out somewhat because of the increased health risks that go along with taking hormones while you continue to smoke. Taking elevated levels of estrogen can leave you open to a very high risk of having either a heart attack or a stroke. (Refer back to the last segment where we discuss smoking and oral contraceptive use.)

Smoking and Cervical Cancer

It is vital for the health of all women that they have yearly pap tests to screen for cervical cancer and ovarian cancer. Early detection is a key factor to treatment the disease successfully. However the need is even greater for women who smoke. Research studies have shown that smoking may play a role in the development of cervical cancer. One study in particular showed a very strong link between the two. The study found that smokers had an 80 percent higher risk of developing this form of cancer than did non-smokers.

Please note that vulva cancer, which is another form of gynecological cancer, is 40 percent more likely to develop in smokers than in non-smokers.

Smoking and Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis can happen to anyone but is more likely to occur in smokers. This is because smoking causes a tremendous increase in the risk of bone loss. Women who smoke a pack a day or more can experience a bone density loss that is anywhere from five percent to 10 percent greater than that of women who don’t smoke, by the time they find themselves starting menopause.

Smoking and women’s health issues are very intimately link. The health consequences to you could be dire. Bear in mind that no one knows for sure what the root causes of many diseases are but what we do know, as we have demonstrated here, is that smoking can make a serious health problem even more serious.

Samantha

Women and Smoking- Bringing Health Issues into Sharper Focus

When it comes to smoking, we all know it is bad for us so what is new about women and smoking?

Nothing perhaps or maybe plenty. It depends on your present knowledge level. In the early 20th century smoking was mainly the domain of men. Women began smoking long after it had become a habit with many men. Statistics tell us that as of 2007, 19.8 million women (17.4 percent) in the United States were smokers. In 2008 approximately 71,030 women in the United States died from lung cancer and other smoking related diseases. On a yearly basis an estimated 173,940 women in the United States die because of cigarette smoking.

Regardless of how old a woman is, smoking is harmful and can contribute to everything from anxiety to infertility to osteoporosis (to name just a few of the health consequences connected to smoking).

While both boys and girls are every bit as likely to start smoking at an early age, the health implications for girls are much greater. Be aware that smoking is a habit that most of the time gets its start during the teenage years. Most youth begin smoking before the age of 16. Studies have shown that teenagers who graduate from high school without being regular smokers are not likely to start the habit later on in their lives.

Let us explore some of the most significant health issues when it comes to women and smoking.

Smoking and Infertility

Women smokers tend to have a more difficult time conceiving than do their non-smoking counterparts. They have approximately 72 percent of the fertility of those who do not smoke. They are 3.4 times more likely to need to try for a year or more before conceiving a child. This is because ovulation is adversely affected in women who smoke and the chemicals in tobacco make fertilization and implantation of the embryo more difficult to accomplish.

Smoking and Oral Contraceptives

If you take the pill or use another form of hormonal contraceptive then you run a higher risk than non-smokers of suffering a heart attack, stroke or a  blood clot. This risk becomes even greater as you age. For example, women smokers over the age of 35 are strongly cautioned to not use oral contraceptives.

Smoking and Pregnancy

What can be said about the health of your unborn baby that has not been said before? The chemicals found in tobacco travel from the mother to the fetus by way of the bloodstream and can cause serious health problems for both individuals. Smoking while pregnant is connected to preterm delivery, low birth weight, miscarriage, placenta previa, premature rupture of membranes and neonatal death. During their first few days of life a newborn must go through withdrawal from smoking in much the same way an adult smoker would.

If that is not enough, children who have mothers who smoke spend more time at the doctor’s office because they suffer from more respiratory  problems, head colds and ear aches.

We continue our look at women’s health issues in relation to smoking in our next post.

Samantha