Why is it important to stop smoking? The answer seems obvious, namely to prevent the damage caused by smoking to health. However, many smokers, especially younger ones, although they know that they do not wish to quit, saying they have an active life and that smoking does not interfere with anything. This arises because the individual only perceive and value the symptoms of diseases caused by smoking after years of exposure to smoke.
The following are the benefits of quitting smoking:
- Reducing the chances of having cancer;- Reducing the chances of having heart disease and respiratory;
- Increase in life expectancy (the chances of a smoker living to 73 years are 42% to 78% of non-smokers);
- To improve physical performance and sexual health;
- Improves taste;
- Improvement of smell;
- Improvement of breath;
- Economy by not buying cigarettes;
- Good example for children.
For the patient who smoked for many years, there are also benefits to stop smoking? There will always be benefits to stop smoking, even for one patient who smoked for many years or has old age. This gain will be given in terms of a healthier life, with less chance of getting sick.
As an example, we can mention that:
- After 2 to 12 weeks of smoking cessation, an improvement of blood circulation;
- After 1 to 9 months of smoking cessation, there is reduction of cough and respiratory infections;- After 1 year of smoking cessation, there is a 50% reduction in risk of heart attack and angina;
- After 10 years of smoking cessation, the risk of death from stroke becomes equal to that of a person who never smoked.
What are the medications used in treatment of smoking? Currently, there are three types of drug therapy for the treatment of smoking:
Replacement therapy nicotine
Bupropion
Varenicline
How are nicotine patches? First, it is important to emphasize that therapy Nicotine replacement therapy is not a miracle, it is necessary that the individual is prepared and motivated to stop smoking. The stickers and other forms of nicotine replacement, double the chances of the individual to remain without smoking. On the appointed day to stop with smoking, nicotine patches begin to be employed.
They are placed on the skin in place devoid of hair, promoting slow and steady release of nicotine. The patch must be changed every 24 hours and should avoid placing it in the same place it was before. They do not prevent the individual practice sports activities.
There are patches with different doses of nicotine (10, 20 or 30mg). The optimum dosage is determined by the physician, according to the degree of dependence on smoking. The ideal time to use the adhesive, and any form of nicotine replacement is not well established, ranging from 4 to 16 weeks, according to the patient's response.
What is the role of the patient in treatment of smoking? The role of the patient in treatment of smoking. In order for that success requires that the individual is predisposed to stop smoking and discuss openly with your doctor your expectations, their anguish and the treatment options that may be employed. Furthermore, there must be involvement of the entire family in helping the patient, encouraging him and removing him from situations where he usually smoked (alcohol, stress, smoking environments etc).
What type of smoker who need drugs to quit smoking? Not all smokers who need medication to quit smoking. Generally, those who smoke will no longer smoke a greater number of cigarettes per day or who have tried and failed to stop, that is, those with greater reliance on cigarettes. However, any smoker can seek medical advice to quit smoking. Patients with 5 or more points on the scale of dependence need drugs to quit smoking. Test your addiction to cigarettes in "What's your addiction to cigarettes?"
Why is nicotine used in treatment of smoking? As previously, nicotine dependence is the main cause of maintenance of smoking. When the individual is not smoking a certain time period, the levels of nicotine in the blood fall. This fact is detected by the brain that reacts promptly "requesting" more nicotine. Then comes the withdrawal syndrome and the person ends up smoking to relieve their symptoms. Thus, it is used nicotine preparations aiming to maintain the concentration of the substance in the blood at levels similar to those obtained with the cigarette.
What are the ways used to deliver nicotine? Replacement therapy for nicotine can be administered in the following ways
How are the nicotine gum? It is used by the smoker at times when there is the desire to smoke and withdrawal symptoms of smoking. The tablet is placed in the mouth and chewed until you feel the bitter taste of nicotine or tingling in the mouth. At this time the nicotine is being released and the smoker should stop chewing gum and can hold between the gum and cheek. When the taste or tingling disappears, you should return to chew the tablet until you feel the same effect. This procedure must be repeated for up to 30 minutes, when the gum is discarded.
The gum can be used as needed or every 1 or 2 hours. Moreover, we must avoid the use of alcohol during the process, since the liquid can reduce the absorption of nicotine in the oral cavity, reducing its effectiveness.
The gum is found in doses of 2 and 4, which will be chosen according to the degree of dependence individual.
