(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and has negative health impact on people at all stages of life.
Dr Kausar Perveen, Specialist Internal Medicine, Zulekha Hospital Sharjah, explains the health hazards of smoking:
Lung diseases: Smoking is the leading cause of lung diseases like emphysema/chronic bronchitis which involve destruction and inflammation of air ways and air spaces in lung.
Association with Cancers: More than 90 per cent of lung cancers are associated with cigarette smoking both in men and women. It increases the risk of developing mouth, lips, throat, esophagus and bladder cancers.
Smoking and blood vessels: There is high risk of developing fatty buildup and inflammation of blood vessels which leads to rise in blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes. Smoking also increases the risk of bone fractures in wrist, hip joint and spine, she said. Nicotine in cigarette smoke is as addictive as cocaine or heroin. Chemicals in cigarette smoke include carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide and benzene.
Some tips that can help you to quit smoking:
Put it in writing: Write down all reasons why you want to quit smoking. Keep this list with you to review it and add further reasons when you find.
Fix a date when you plan to quit: Make a date on calendar, tell your friends (family if they know) that you are going to quit on that date. Mark it as deadline between your smoking and non-smoking life.
Family and friends support: Take help of your family or friends to keep you firm on your decision.
Throw away all cigarette, ashtrays and lighters.
Wash your clothes and clean your room and car if you are doing smoking there to make it tobacco-smell free.
Think and avoid the triggers/situation when you tend to smoke.
Physical and mental effects of smoking can bother you during quitting phase. So be patient, these effects are not severe and will pass on.
Substitute for smoking: You can use nicotine gums, sprays, inhaler and patches. Gradually you can replace them with candies.
Keep your self busy so that your mind will not focus on smoking.
Slip ups happen but do not take them as your failure. Your slip is your mistake, notice it and move on. You will not become a heavy smoker just after one / two cigarettes.
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