Quitting Smoking

Reasons to Quit Smoking

There are many reasons why you may want to quit smoking. Whether it’s for your own health or maybe you have concerns about those around you being harmed through second-hand smoke. Or maybe you’ve realized how expensive your smoking habit has become. There are so many benefits to quitting smoking that its always a good time to quit.

Side Effects of Quitting

Quitting smoking can be difficult. Its important to recognize the symptoms and understand that they are temporary and you can get through them. Some of the side effects include:
– Feeling irritable, angry, or anxious
– Having trouble concentrating
– Craving tobacco products
– Feeling hungrier than usual
– Headache
– Trouble sleeping
– Nausea
– Weight gain
– Low mood

The Benefits

Smoking is linked to many different diseases such as heart disease and cancer. The good thing is that when you quit, most of the risks start decreasing right away. The benefits of quitting smoking can happen within hours or even minutes. Within 20 minutes your blood pressure drops. Other benefits include:

– Lowered risk for lung cancer and many other types of cancer.
– Reduced risk for heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease (narrowing of the blood vessels outside your heart).
– Reduced heart disease risk within 1 to 2 years of quitting.
– Reduced respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. While these symptoms may not disappear, they do not continue to progress at the same rate among people who quit compared with those who continue to smoke.
– Reduced risk of developing some lung diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as COPD, one of the leading causes of death in the United States).
– Reduced risk for infertility in women of childbearing age. Women who stop smoking during pregnancy also reduce their risk of having a low birth weight baby.

Improve your chances for success:

– Set a quit date. Choose a day and time when you won’t be stressed. Write it down on a calendar or share it with a friend.
– Have a support system in place with friends or family. This can make a real difference and it’s a good idea to make sure some are right here in Penticton. Your Carmi Remedy’s Rx Pharmacist can also be part of your support team.
– Create an action plan. This might include writing out your reasons to quit smoking or listing your concerns about quitting. Learn ways to handle cravings. Avoid situations where the desire to smoke is greater.

Book a Stop Smoking Consultation at Carmi Remedy’s Rx (just up from Penticton Regional Hospital in the Carmi Medical Dental Building) to start your year off in a healthy way! Stop Smoking pharmacist programs are a series of consultations to help you prepare for and quit smoking. These private sessions are covered by most provincial health plans, so schedule an appointment with your Carmi Remedy’s Rx Pharmacist today as part of a healthier outlook for 2017!