Information From Your Health Care Provider

SMOKING ADDICTION

Basic information

description

Cigarette smoking is an addiction disorder and the cause of many serious health problems.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

An average smoker smokes 15 to 20 cigarettes a day. The more one smokes, the greater the health risks. Someone who smokes even 1 to 4 cigarettes a day has more risks for health problems than nonsmokers.
Certain activities also become linked with smoking. These include smoking after a meal, when drinking coffee, while on the phone, relaxing, or if stressed.

causes

There are many chemicals in cigarette smoke. Among them are tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide (a poisonous gas). These three substances are a health risk to the person smoking and to those who breathe in the secondhand smoke. Tar condenses into a sticky substance in the lungs. Nicotine is the addictive component of tobacco smoke. Carbon monoxide decreases the oxygen carried by the red blood cells in the body.

risk increases with

Teenagers. Smoking often begins as a social behavior and an adventure. Teens feel pressure from friends; they want to be socially accepted in certain groups, and to appear more mature.
People who are under stress or feel nervous.
Less education (high school dropouts are more likely to smoke than college graduates).
Lower economic group.
Ages 25 to 44. They have highest smoking rates.
Blue-collar occupations.
Risk-taking and outgoing personality types.
Family history of smoking.
Alcoholics.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Education about health risks.
Prohibiting smoking in public places.

expected outcomes

It is never too late to quit. Anyone who smokes should make every attempt to quit. If you do, it can reverse most of the health risks and bring about a better quality of life.

possible complications

Cancer, heart, blood vessel, and lung diseases.
Problems with infertility.
Problems in pregnancy and risks to the baby's health.
Earlier menopause and possible osteoporosis.
Skin becomes rougher, thicker, and more wrinkled.
Second-hand smoke is harmful to others.
Home fire deaths (most all are caused by smoking).

diagnosis & treatment

general measures

Smokers can quit on their own or be helped by a variety of methods. No one method works for everyone.
See your health care provider for help and advice.
Self-help steps in quitting: 1) Think about your smoking habits and when and why you smoke. 2) Make up your mind to quit. 3) Choose the day and quit on that day. 4) Use any kind of substitute (gum, hard candy). Give up those activities, for now, that you link with smoking. 5) Reward yourself for not smoking (buy yourself something special). 6) During the first few weeks, eat plenty of low-calorie snacks; drink lots of water.
Call the local office of the American Cancer Society or the American Lung Association for help in quitting.
Ask family and friends for help. Joining a support group or a smoking-cessation program can be helpful.
Try out other ideas, such as hypnosis or acupuncture.
Concerns about quitting: 1) Weight gain. Average amount is 5-8 pounds over 5 years (for some, there is no weight gain). 2) Stress. It may occur. Get counseling or help with managing stress. 3) Withdrawal. Physical symptoms stop in about 10 to 14 days. Psychologic symptoms may go on for months or longer. 4) Fear of failure. Relapse is common. Many people have had to try more than once, and by more than one method.

medications

Drugs to reduce cravings may be prescribed.
Stop smoking aids include nicotine gum, skin patch, nasal spray, or inhaler. They can help reduce withdrawal symptoms. These aids are to be used along with counseling or a smoking-cessation program.
Antidepressants may be prescribed for a short time.

activity

Exercise daily. It helps to control weight, reduces stress, and lessens the craving for cigarettes.