There’s no need to stop entirely, but it’s important to make healthier choices.
Smoking can lead to health problems, including:
- Lung cancer
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Lung infections
- Chronic bronchitis
- Emphysema
- Frequent falls
Smoking can also increase your risk of having a heart attack or a stroke by making your blood pressure lower.
Here’s how to stop smoking for beginners.
Smoking and your health
Smoking exposes you to harmful chemicals and pollutants. It can change the way your body works and makes it harder for your body to fight off infections. Smoking also affects your taste and smell, which can make it harder to enjoy food.
It’s important to quit smoking if you want to keep your health in check.
Tips for quitting
If you want to quit, try these tips:
- Talk to your family and friends. Ask them if they’re willing to help you quit smoking.
- Get support. Talk to people who care about you. Find a support group that will help you quit.
- Use nicotine replacement therapy. Look for a nicotine replacement therapy that contains a lot of nicotine.
- Replace cigarettes with other tobacco products. If you already use tobacco products, quit using them first.
- Take medications. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms. They can recommend treatments that can help you quit.
- Exercise. Exercise can help you quit.
- Set realistic goals. Try to quit for a certain amount of time.
When you quit smoking, your cravings for cigarettes, even after you’ve stopped smoking, can be difficult to manage. If you have cravings, know that you can manage them.
Here are some tips that can help you get through the cravings:
- Take a break. Set a time limit on your smoking.
- Take breaks from smoking.
- Talk to a loved one or a friend.
- Eat a healthy snack.
- Use a vaporizer.
Take a look at these tips for quitting smoking.
When to quit?
If you’re ready to quit, don’t wait until you feel the urge to smoke. If you smoke, talk to your doctor. They can help you find a way to quit.
It can take time to quit. In the beginning, you may feel like smoking. But it’s important to quit for good. Your health, your life, and your job may depend on it.
Your doctor can help you set a quit date. They can help you quit by:
- Giving you medicine to help you stop smoking.
- Helping you make healthier choices.
- Working with your pharmacist to help you find a medication to help you quit.
- Helping you set a quit date.
- Telling you about resources that can help you quit.
- Helping you quit if you can’t quit on your own.
There are many resources for quitting. They can help you quit successfully.
How to quit smoking for good?
If you’re ready to quit, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Don’t smoke until you’re completely ready to quit.
- Don’t use nicotine replacement therapy until you’re ready to quit.
- Don’t use tobacco products that are harmful to your health.
- Don’t take more than the dosage you were prescribed.
- Don’t smoke before you quit. You may feel anxious or nervous.
- Don’t smoke until you are ready to quit.
- Don’t smoke if you have a cold or flu.
- Plan a quit date.
- Make a plan with your family and friends.
- Make a plan with your doctor.
- Pick a quit day.
- Find a way to manage your cravings.
When you quit smoking, you’ll find it easier to:
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Manage stress.
- Sleep better.
- Protect your health.
- Have a better quality of life.
When you quit smoking, you’ll also experience fewer coughing fits and shortness of breath.
When you quit, you’ll have a better quality of life in other ways, too:
- You may lose weight.
- Your skin will look clearer.
- Your mood will improve.
- You’ll be less likely to have a heart attack or stroke.
- You may be less likely to get cancer.
When to call your doctor?
If you smoke and you’re trying to quit, call your doctor. They can help you find a way to quit.
If you’re going to quit smoking, be patient. It can take weeks or months to quit. Make sure to:
- Follow your doctor’s health advice.
- Take your medicine as prescribed.
- Get enough sleep.
- Maintain a healthy diet.
- Manage your stress.
- Exhale smoke as little as possible.
- Manage your cravings.
Don’t stop smoking until you’re ready to quit.
If you’re ready to quit, talk to your doctor. They can work with you to find a way to stop.
Preparing for an appointment
If you’re interested in quitting smoking, schedule an appointment with your doctor.
Make a list of:
- Your symptoms and when they started.
- Important medical information, including family and personal information.
- Questions to ask your doctor.
- How you will help your doctor during the appointment.
- Your beliefs and values.
- How confident you are that you can quit smoking.
- Your goals.
What you can do now?
To make the most of your time with your doctor, try the following:
- Make a list of questions.
- Write down any symptoms you’re experiencing.
- Make a list of all of your medications, vitamins, and supplements.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor.
- Write down a list of all of the things you can do to help you quit.
- Write down questions to ask your friends and family members.
Don’t hesitate to ask your doctor questions. They can help you find a way to quit smoking.
What to expect from your doc7 Tips for Taking Care of Your Teeth in Winter
Winter is here, and it can be a time of trouble when it comes to your teeth.
It’s true that the weather has a way of changing, but teeth can still get a little cold.
Dental health is always important, and winter can be especially challenging for your teeth.
What’s the deal?
The cold weather puts your teeth under a lot of stress.
Your body is a little less able to defend itself against the cold, and the teeth are no exception.
As your teeth get colder, the protective layer of enamel that covers them gets thinner and thinner.
The cold weather also causes more saliva to flow in your mouth. Saliva helps keep your teeth clean and germ-free.
The combination of less saliva and cold weather can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
The American Dental Association (ADA) estimates that between 32 percent and 50 percent of people experience tooth decay in winter.
Is it dangerous?
Although teeth can be affected by the cold, there are some things you can do to protect them.
If you have a cavity, there are a few things you can do to help keep it from getting worse.
First, don’t use harsh chemicals, such as toothpaste with fluoride, to try to fight the decay.
For example, don’t use a toothpaste that contains chlorhexidine (Peridex).
The ADA states that toothpaste with chlorhexidine can increase the risk for tooth staining and sensitivity.
While it may be tempting to try to protect your teeth from the cold by using a hot cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, it’s important to remember that these can make the cold feel even worse.
The bottom line
Smoking cigarettes is a major health risk. If you’re ready to quit, try these tips for quitting. Talk to your doctor first.
It’s important to protect your teeth in the winter, especially if you’re using tobacco.
Tooth enamel wears away faster when you’re under a lot of stress. This is why it’s so important to take care of your teeth.
The cold can wear apart the enamel on your teeth, and you don’t want to lose your teeth. If you have any concerns, talk to your dentist.
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