share: Woman Smokers and High Risk for Heart Disease
I recently read an article that found that woman smokers tend to have heart issues 14 years earlier than woman that do not smoke. On the other hand, men that smoke tend to have heart issues 6 years earlier then men that don’t smoke according to the European Society of Cardiology. You can find the full article here http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26510114/.
The American Lung Association indicates that smoking-related diseases claim an estimated 430,700 American lives each year. Smoking costs the United States approximately $97.2 billion each year in health-care costs and lost productivity. It is directly responsible for 87 percent of lung cancer cases and causes most cases of emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
There are several choices that can be made in order to conquer the craving of nicotine and help people stop smoking. There is a great website called Quitnet.com that provides support and chats that can provide support for someone that wants to quit smoking. Membership is free and it also provides plans to help combat smoking. You can join here http://www.quitnet.com/.
The Center of Disease Control also provides several links to information and cessation programs that are federally available. http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/quit_smoking/index.htm
Another approach is offered by the Mayo Clinic and can be found here http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/quit-smoking-blog/MY00277.
Do you know someone that has quit smoking and can share any success stories?
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Honestly, my topic subject is a bit casual but quitting just sucks - it really does.
I've spoken about my experience before but I'll give a brief version of it here. After at least 16 years of smoking more than a pack a day (some days, two packs) I quit in order to get my body ready for pregnancy. I am so against smoking in pregnancy that we (as a couple) pretty much decided that if I continued to smoke, we would be childless. I also experienced regular chest pain that I knew was due to my incessant smoking.
Nothing wrong with not having kids if you don't want them but if you do, what a sad and weak reason not to - cigarettes.
I put out my last cigarette and removed it, along with all ashtrays, matches, lighters - ANYTHING to do with cigarettes, went out in the trash that night.
My doctor had prescribed a 3 month supply of Zyban - a medication used to help with smoking cessation.
The next day arrived and I was ok until about 8.30 am and drove to work. It was strange not to smoke. By noon I was in withdrawal, had a headache and the shakes. That night I cried myself to sleep.
Over the next three months, I suffered insomnia, digestive problems and very bad withdrawal. I canceled parties, never set foot in a bar (you could still smoke in bars) and ignored my smoking co-workers who took bets on how long it'd be until I rejoined them. My non-smoking co-workers were a fantastic support. The smokers were the opposite - almost rubbing their hands, waiting for me to fail. An interesting topic, in itself, eh?
I quit the Zyban after one month as it didn't appear to ease any cravings and I found it unnecessary.
I took up exercise and begged my friends who smoked (only a small number as most of my friends don't smoke) not to give me a cigarette and they were awesome.
Trips back to Europe were hard, since it's far more acceptable to smoke, although many countries are smoke free now (in public buildings) but that only became recent in the last few years.
My fiance (now husband) was also very supportive as he hates smoking anyway.
All in all, it took a good twelve months for the cravings to stop. I gained about five pounds and then lost them and more, for my wedding. It was one of the most difficult years of my life, to be truthful.
The upside - on my! My health rebounded! The chest pains left, my lung capacity improved dramatically, I was happier, richer, I smelled great and no longer gave a toss about smoke breaks and was no longer a slave to smoking which I had been - a devoted slave.
I guess this wasn't so brief after all! But that's my story. I can have a glass of wine and not even think about a cigarette! I never think about them and I thought that could never happen. I am seven years smoke free now and can't believe the time has passed so quickly.
When I see all the smoking cessation aids and leaflets and commercials, my heart kind of aches for those who are about to quit. And such relief that it's far behind me. It's so hard. And I know I'll never be a smoker again because I'll never go through quitting again!
Smoking will get you, one way or another. Cancers of the lung, throat, mouth, skin...heart attacks, strokes and the dreaded emphysema. That and horrid skin and a hillbilly cough and laugh that is so unattractive to hear.
But quitting is so possible, as I can attest to. And the difference in health is so astronomical and so fast, it makes every rotten part of it so worthwhile! Not to mention saving thousands of dollars per year.
Puff free for seven years : sweet success!
October 25, 2008 - 12:00pmThis Comment
12 months? Oh my! Thanks for sharing your story.
I am a smoker and I am really ready to quit although, I have tried several times without success. I swear in my mind, I want to quit but the overwhelming urges to 'not quit' are much easier to deal with.
I have psyched myself to quit before 2009 which is rapidly approaching. I am going to do my research and evaluate all the resources that are available to me and when that time approaches, I will certainly share my success story.
Congratulations on your success. I know that it is a tough habit to break.
October 25, 2008 - 1:59pm