Quitting smoking is a hard thing to do. Many smokers fail in their attempt to quit smoking. In fact, it has been observed that people who try to quit smoking by the cold turkey method make at least 4 attempts before they can successfully quit smoking. To save themselves the embarrassment of failure, many smokers do not even make an attempt to quit smoking. It is only when the harmful side effects of smoking start to surface and affects their health do they start thinking about quit smoking. These days, quit smoking is made a lot easier due to the availability of Chantix quit smoking medication. Chantix is a prescription medication that comes with its share of certain side effects. You must consult a doctor before your begin the Chantix quit smoking treatment; only putting in your best effort can help you succeed.
Reasons to Quit Smoking
There can be a million positive reasons to quit smoking. Foremost is the health factor. Smoking may cause life-threatening conditions that may lead to your early mortality. Discussed below are a few of the serious diseases caused as a result of smoking. While heavy smoking increases your risk of developing these diseases, quitting drastically reduces your odds of developing these diseases.
Diseases / Conditions Caused due to Cigarette Smoking:
Heart Disease
Smoking is the leading cause of coronary heart disease. Smoking consistently over the years increases your blood pressure, lowers stamina for exercise and increases the tendency for blood clots. Smoking is also the major cause of atherosclerosis, a condition marked by a buildup of fatty substances in the arteries. Atherosclerosis occurs when the normal lining of the arteries weaken, the walls of the arteries thicken and the deposits of fat and plaque obstruct the flow of blood through the arteries. In sufferers of coronary artery disease, the arteries that supply blood to the heart become severely narrowed, decreasing the supply of oxygen-rich blood to the heart, especially during times of increased activity. Additional strain on the heart may result in chest pain and other symptoms. If 1 or more of the coronary arteries are completely blocked a patient may also suffer a heart attack.
Stroke
Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of strokes and heart attacks. According to doctors, smokers as compared to non-smokers are twice as likely to suffer a heart attack and 3 times more likely to suffer a stroke. Studies show that if you continue to smoke, you increase your risk of suffering a stroke. However, if you quit early, your risk of a stroke is drastically reduced.
During a stroke, a problem in which the blood vessels in the brain have reduced blood flow; this precipitates a failure in brain function. A stroke affects your ability to think clearly and move in a normal manner. In case of a mild stroke, the effects resolve themselves over a short period of time. However, a severe stroke can leave you in a vegetative state or even kill you.
Lung Cancer
Over the past few decades there has been a tremendous increase in the number of patients suffering from lung cancer and this spurt is directly linked to cigarette smoking. According to a study, lung cancer is the chief cause of cancer deaths in both men and women and smoking is responsible for 90% of all cancer deaths. Lung cancer is responsible for more cancer deaths than colorectal cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.
When you smoke a huge amount of smoke gets into your lungs. The harmful chemicals contained in cigarette smoke cause tremendous damage to your lungs which ultimately leads to the development of cancer. According to statistics, when compared to a non-smoker, moderate smokers are 20 time more likely to get lung cancer while heavy smokers are 40 times more likely to get lung cancer. Treatment for lung cancer may consist of surgery to remove the affected portion of the lung, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease that severely affects the lungs and your respiratory system. This condition makes breathing extremely difficult. Smoking is the most common cause of COPD and is responsible for 80% of cases. In fact this disease is hardly ever reported in people who have never smoked. As the condition progresses, severe breathing problems can require hospital care. In severe cases, COPD may lead to death from slow and progressive breathlessness.
The tar in cigarette smoke can be particularly damaging to the lungs. Its prolonged exposure can lead to the narrowing of the bronchioles and the destruction of the lung’s protection and filter system. In people suffering from COPD, air sacs inside the lungs lose their elasticity, the airways swell and more mucus is made. Emphysema and chronic obstructive bronchitis are included under COPD. Treatments include medications, oxygen therapy, surgery and pulmonary rehabilitation.
Oral Cancer
All forms of tobacco addiction increases your risk of oral cancer. Smokers are 6 times more likely to get oral cancer than are non-smokers. Sufferers of oral cancer experience sores in the mouth or on the lips that don’t heal and/or bleed easily. Other common symptoms include a white or red patch of skin in the mouth or under the tongue, a lump in the mouth, throat or tongue, a sore throat that doesn’t go away within a normal period of time and difficulty in swallowing or chewing.
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