Health Network News

Many people would like to quit smoking but it is not a simple task. It takes determination, commitment, and will power to be able to achieve it. Perhaps the biggest motivation is health. Smoking causes around four million fatalities every year, with smoking related diseases such as lung cancer and heart disease shortening the life of nearly 10 per cent of adults worldwide according to figures from the World Health Organisation.

When we understand the reality of the health problems that come with smoking it can help us to take steps to kick the habit. The good news is that millions of people do mange to quit smoking every year. More than half the number of people that smoke are able to give up in the long run.

Every single cigarette that is consumed contains not only addictive amounts of nicotine but numerous other toxic substances. The moment you light up a cigarette, nicotine is immediately absorbed into the bloodstream and reaches the brain in a matter of seconds. It may feel good as it causes an increase in the amount of dopamine that that is being circulated around the body. But this hormone will decrease when you do not smoke, causing feelings of anxiety and irritability.

Tar is another poison that is present in tobacco smoke. It can cause cancer as it contains carcinogenic chemicals. Another toxin that is present is carbon monoxide. This compound attaches itself to red blood cells which lower their capacity to carry oxygen around the body. There are many other toxic substances also present in cigarette smoke. These can cause thickening of the blood and clotting in the arteries.

Due to public health campaigns and warnings that come with all tobacco products, every smoker is aware of the risks to a certain degree. On average a person that smokes their whole life will live ten years less than an average non-smoker. The number of ailments that are caused by smoking are vast. Lung cancer is just one form of cancer that has been shown to be caused through the consumption of cigarettes, other forms include: stomach, kidney, pancreas, throat, bladder, and also a type of leukemia.

Another proven ailment is pneumonia, this creates inflammation of the lungs as does COPD. Heart disease is also a common sickness that has a higher prevalence amongst smokers. It is due to damage caused to the arteries which in turn lessens the amount of oxygen. Other illnesses proven to be caused by smoking include angina, impotence, infertility, and osteoporosis, to name but a few.

Quitting smoking can drastically improve you health and life expectancy. If you stop earlier enough, your body can make a complete recovery. Today there are many different treatments and methods open to smokers that want to stop.

Your family doctor can give you expert advice on the most suitable methods. They can also offer you medication that can help you quit. Today there are tablets available such as varenicline and buropion, as well as nicotine replacement therapy.

If you are serious about quitting smoking, then you can achieve your wish. There is plenty of help out there from people who understand exactly how you feel.