How do I quit smoking cigarettes?
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Dr. Dean Ornish answered:Another drug, in this case, nicotine gum. Since nicotine can injure the lining of the coronary arteries, this is not much better than smoking as far as your heart is concerned (although your lungs will be pleased).
Of course, quitting smoking is not easy. Paradoxically, though, most people I work with find it easier to quit smoking if they also change their lifestyle in comprehensive ways. At first, though, they may ask, "How do you expect me to change my diet, begin to exercise, and learn stress management techniques when it's hard enough to just quit smoking?" Since many people smoke when they feel stressed, then it's easier to quit when they have alternative ways of managing stress that aren't centered around smoking. Also, when a person makes comprehensive lifestyle changes, they begin feeling so much better that the harmful effects of smoking become more apparent. So the craving and daily battle of not smoking become much easier.
Find out more about this book: Dr. Dean Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease: The Only System Scie...
Another drug, in this case, nicotine gum. Since nicotine can injure the lining of the coronary arteries, this is not much better than smoking as far as your heart is concerned (although your lungs will be pleased). Of course, quitting smoking is not... More -
Dr. JoAnne Foody of Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:Giving up cigarettes can be tough, but it is possible! Although quitting isn’t easy, many former smokers have succeeded in putting tobacco behind them for good. Here are some tips that can help you become one of them.
Before You Quit:- Set a quit date.
- List your reasons to quit. By writing out your reasons, you’re affirming your desire to stop smoking and reminding yourself of why you need to do it now. Refer back to the list when you feel like you might relapse.
- Throw away your cigarettes, lighters, and ashtrays. By getting rid of them, you’re sending the message that you’re committed to quitting. Keeping them around in your house, car, or workplace will make it easier to relapse, and harder to think of yourself as a nonsmoker.
- Get support from your friends and family. Ask the people around you for encouragement. Most of your friends and family will probably be happy to see you taking steps to better health, and by letting them know that you’re stopping, you can prepare them for any irritableness you might show in the first few days.
- Consider nicotine replacement products. Some people have more success quitting smoking when they incorporate a nicotine replacement product, such as gum or the patch, into their plan. If you’re interested in using one of these products, talk to a health care provider about which one is right for you. If you’ve recently had heart problems, be sure to mention this to your healthcare provider.
For more information on quitting smoking and its benefits, visit www.brighamandwomens.org/cvwellness.
Helpful? 1 person found this helpfulGiving up cigarettes can be tough, but it is possible! Although quitting isn’t easy, many former smokers have succeeded in putting tobacco behind them for good. Here are some tips that can help you become one of them.Before You Quit: Set a... More -
American Cancer Society answered:Smokers often say, "Don't tell me why to quit, tell me how." There is no one right way to quit, but there are some key elements in quitting with success. These 4 factors are key:
• Making the decision to quit
• Setting a quit date and choosing a quit plan
• Dealing with withdrawal
• Staying quit (maintenance)
Smokers often say, "Don't tell me why to quit, tell me how." There is no one right way to quit, but there are some key elements in quitting with success. These 4 factors are key:• Making the decision to quit• ... More -
Challenge America answered:Talk to your VA health care provider about help with quitting smoking, including getting medication to improve your chances of quitting and a referral to a VA smoking cessation clinic. You may be prescribed nicotine replacement therapy, such as the nicotine patch or gum, or other medications to help reduce your cravings.
Talk to your VA health care provider about help with quitting smoking, including getting medication to improve your chances of quitting and a referral to a VA smoking cessation clinic. You may be prescribed nicotine replacement therapy, such as the... More -
Dr. Stacy Raviv of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:Start by talking to your healthcare provider about quitting. You may have the most success by combining behavioral techniques with medication.
Set a quit date. If you are using medications like varenicline or bupropion, these will need to be started at least one week before your quit date. Generally, people have better success quiting cold turkey than they do with cutting back the number of cigarettes smoked daily... so your quit date should be the day you stop completely. Share your quit date with friends, family, and coworkers. Peer pressure and encouragement from them may be very helpful both before and after you quit.
Change your typical smoking behaviors. This means avoiding places or situations where you most often smoke or may be tempted to smoke. This may also mean avoiding spending time with other people who smoke, especially soon after your quit date. Start exercising. This can help reduce stress and prevent weight gain that sometimes accompanies smoking cessation. Keep gum, carrot sticks, sunflower seeds, or other healthy snacks in your pocket or purse. These may help when you feel cravings for cigarettes.
Find out about group counseling or support groups. You don't have to quit alone!Start by talking to your healthcare provider about quitting. You may have the most success by combining behavioral techniques with medication. Set a quit date. If you are using medications like varenicline or bupropion, these will need to be... More
