Health Care At Home

____________________________________________
We are our first Health Insurance, without it we lose control of all others, with it we take control of our health.

Health care begins at home before the need to see a health professional. Health care will continue at home after seeing a health professional.

Self-care is health care at home. Self-care is Preventative.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

So You Want To Quit Smoking!

Nicotine is the killer drug in the cigarettes and cigars that people smoke.

When you smoke the nicotine affects the brain making you temporarily calm and more alert; you actually get a mood boost. When the effects wear off the cravings to be calm and alert return and you go for another cigarette for a boost.

These personal benefits make it difficult to quit. Smoking however is bad for health because it is a #1 cause of various cancers, cardiovascular disease, respiratory diseases and more. It suppresses your immune system; it is a leading cause of premature death.


Smoking is; however, a modifiable risk factor that can be stopped. There are many things one can do to quit and stay quit.

Benefits of Quitting Smoking
 The benefit of quitting is: 'good health' first and most important, but their are social and environmental benefits as well.

People who quit reduce their risk for non-communicable diseases(NCD's) and premature deaths. Within hours of quitting  their blood pressure drops. Quitting reduces your risk  for heart disease, strokes, lung disease, cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).

A woman's health is improved when she quits, quitting decreases her risk for infertility and complications during pregnancy.  Smoking during pregnancy can cause premature births and still births. Babies of mothers who smoke during pregnancy are at greater risk of being sick neonates.

The good thing about quitting is that there is a lot of free resources online and locally. There is support locally, nationally and internationally.When you decide to quit:
  • Set a date to do so
  • Get rid of all your cigarettes, ashtrays and lighters by this date
  • Tell your health professional of your decision and ask for support
  • Tell your spouse or friends
  • Join a no-smoking program online, most are free
  • Check out the resources available in your local community
  • Hang out with non-smoking colleagues or peers
  • Try nicotine replacement therapy
  • Cut down on the number you smoke

When you quit, it may not be easy, remember it is a lifestyle change that is taking place. The changes would affect may aspects of your life. The changes will help you succeed with quitting and the benefits are long-term. Nicotine is also very addictive.

Lifestyle Changes
Mood Boost-Try alternate natural ways to keep calm and alert. There are many self-help books and resources that can  help you. should you find an alternative, stick with it.

More sleep-Get sufficient sleep: instead of staying up with a cigarette, hit the pillow instead. More sleep is adding to even better health.

Physical activity-Have some free time? Go for physical activity such as walking, running and cycling. Don't remain inactive too long.  Purchase a good exercise/fitness equipment for home use.

Leisure- Cut out habits that seem to accompany your smoking routine, for example: a certain past time or hobby that triggers the urge to smoke, or a place you go regularly.   Hang out with people you know that don't smoke.


If quitting is still difficult there are behaviour change programs, counseling. hypnotherapy and mHealth:  they are approved methods that work.

Parents can be an example to  their children to help them develop non-smoking lifestyles and to protect them from second hand smoke.

Support World No Tobacco Day.

 Reading Material
The Benefits Of Quitting

No comments:

Post a Comment

Free Weight Loss Program

This is an online program that focuses on health management for those who want to lose weight and keep it off. If you are a smoker and concerned about gaining weight it is ideal. You would learn to lose weight and quit the smoking habit for your health. Click here to subscribe.

Adsense