Health & Fitness Blog

It is not easy to quit smoking, though many people want to. To achieve this goal takes a large degree of hard work, commitment, and determination. One of the greatest motivations is health. Figures from the World Health Organisation show that on an annual basis there are 4 million deaths associated with smoking, and smoking related diseases have caused a shorter lifespan in nearly ten per cent of the global population.

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 inhalation of cigarette smoke contains not only nicotine but many different toxic chemicals. You may be aware that nicotine is addictive but do you know why this is so? When we drag on a cigarette nicotine is almost instantly transported to the brain. This results in an increase in the amount of dopamine that the body produces. This dopamine is what gives you the buzz, but when you do not have a cigarette the levels drop causing cravings that in turn lead to irritability and other such feelings.

Another poison that is present in tobacco smoke is tar. This contains carcinogens which can be the cause of many forms of cancer. Carbon monoxide is also inhaled which attaches itself to the hemoglobin in your blood causing a decrease in the amount of oxygen that can be carried. There are many other substances also present in cigarette smoke which can have such affects as thickening of the blood and clotting in your 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.

Smoking is also known to cause damage to the lungs. Both pneumonia and COPD can occur in smokers. These are very painful and debilitating sicknesses caused by an inflammation to the respiratory system. Heart disease is also more common in smokers due to the damage caused to their arteries. Other illnesses that are linked to smoking are osteoporosis, angina, infertility, and impotence.

Stopping smoking can only ever be a positive step. It is possible for your body to make a full recovery if you quit early enough. As the number of people seeking help with quitting smoking has increased, the number of treatments available has risen.

The first person you should talk to about quitting is your local doctor. They will be able to offer you professional advice and also prescribe medication than can help with the withdrawal symptoms. Widely used treatments include two forms of tablets – buropion and varenicline – 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.

Stopping smoking will be better for your skin than any natural skin care products or anti aging wrinkle cream.