Secondhand smoking, breathing in of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), is also called passive smoking. It is when a person breathes in smoke given off into the environment by other people.
Secondhand smoke or ETS is a combination of side stream smoke coming straight from the burning tobacco and the mainstream smoke that is exhaled by the smoker. It comprises of over 4000 chemical constituents, a large proportion of which are the inducers of respiratory illnesses and around 40 are known or suspected carcinogens.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified ETS as a class A (known human) carcinogen along with other known carcinogens such as arsenic, asbestos and benzene etc.
ETS is unfiltered, thus the levels of carcinogens in it are much more than in smoke inhaled directly by an active smoker. Smoking of a cigarette produces smoke from two major places, mainly from the tip of cigarette and from the rest of the cigarette as the hot vapors liberated through the cigarette and its filter.
About 70% to 80 % of ETS is from the burning tip of cigarette and comprises of the highest levels of nicotine, carbon monoxide, tar and various other carcinogens. Therefore, a constant exposure to an ETS is apparently even more injurious than directly smoking a cigarette for an equivalent period.
Effects of Exposure to Secondhand Smoke
Immediate effects:
Immediate effects of secondhand smoking comprise of eye irritation, cough, sore throat, headache, nausea and dizziness.
Long-term effects:
Lung cancer: The major cause of lung cancer among non-smokers is secondhand smoke. One of the studies revealed that hospitality workers who were exposed to secondhand smoke became three times more prone to lung cancer.
Cardiovascular problems: ETS can induce short-term and long-term harm to the heart by decreasing its functional capacity and lowering the capacity of blood to carry oxygen. Some of the chemicals in secondhand smoke can block or harden the arteries, causing problems like atherosclerosis, hypertension and later heart attack. In one of the studies, it was found that secondhand smoking enhances the risk of a heart attack by at least two times.
Stroke: Non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke run at least 80% more risk of stroke than do the non-exposed people.
Asthma: One of the studies revealed that the non-smokers exposed to ETS at work showed at least twice the risk of asthma than the non-exposed people did. Those who were exposed to ETS at home as well, showed as much as five times greater risk for asthma than the non-exposed people did. In individuals who already suffer from asthma, exposure to ETS can
significantly decline their lung function.
Breast Cancer: Some of the recent studies have revealed ETS to increase the risk of breast cancer among women.
Effects on the fetus:
Smoking by a pregnant woman can have various serious consequences on the developing fetus.
• Babies born to women who smoked during their pregnancy have a low birth weight and are often born prematurely.
• Their organs, chiefly the lungs, are smaller than of other babies and these babies are more susceptible to cot death.
• They are more prone to illness all their life and are more likely to become addicted to the tobacco later in their life.
Effect on Children
• Kids that are exposed to secondhand smoke from either parent during the first year of their lives are far more likely to be afflicted with asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, bronchiolitis and other respiratory problems than kids who were not exposed.
• Secondhand smoking may also predispose children to the impairment of the blood circulatory system, behavioral problems and olfactory (nasal) problems.
• It also increases their susceptibility to develop cancer during their adulthood.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
How To Quit Smoking
One of the most vicious diseases in today’s times is smoking. It makes a person baffle for air 3 times more than a non-smoker. It has very many repercussions on the life of the smoker and those around him. It leads to lung cancer and various heart diseases like asthma and emphysema. We should thus abhor this deadly disease and quit smoking.
Quitting is not easy
But to actually quit smoking is not easy, because it is an addiction. However there are very many ways and methods that help us to quit smoking for instance we can opt for acupuncture therapy or aromatherapy. We can also opt for non-nicotine cigarettes or go for precise prescription by a doctor.
But first and foremost we need to decide in our heart to stop smoking and should also fix a day for the same. Inform your family about your decision and seek for their help and assistance. Throw away all the cigarette packets, ashtrays and lighters. Stop buying any more cigarettes. Rather think of the more useful and better things that you can buy with the money thus saved. Ask the other family members also, who smoke, to stop smoking. Keep yourself busy. Exercise regularly and meditate occasionally. Eat healthy food.
After doing all this you may still feel severe urges to smoke. You may also actually retort back to it, but that’s no problem, just be persistent and bring back your decision on to the right track after this break, because most of the people are successful only after 2-3 attempts.
Be prepared for withdrawal symptoms
About 80% people retort back to smoking after once leaving it and only 20% successfully accomplish the task. People retort back due to many reasons. Some say they feel agitated. Others say that the aroma when someone lights up is irresistible. But most of them do so due to the fear of symptoms that appears after that last puff viz. weight gain, aggressive thinking, dry throat, fatigue, muscle cramps, constipation, dizziness, hypersensitivity to stimuli, etc. but these are all just temporary symptoms and disappear in a few days. In fact after the initial bout is over the blood pressure, heart rate, pulse arte all get back to normal. You thus need to keep your will power strong and stick to your decision for a few more days.
Some people are not able to continue with the smoke cessation programs because they say that they are costly. But this is a wrong perception because they are not costlier than the price spent for buying cigarettes. And then isn’t it more logical to spend on your health rather on a disease.
Quitting is not easy
But to actually quit smoking is not easy, because it is an addiction. However there are very many ways and methods that help us to quit smoking for instance we can opt for acupuncture therapy or aromatherapy. We can also opt for non-nicotine cigarettes or go for precise prescription by a doctor.
But first and foremost we need to decide in our heart to stop smoking and should also fix a day for the same. Inform your family about your decision and seek for their help and assistance. Throw away all the cigarette packets, ashtrays and lighters. Stop buying any more cigarettes. Rather think of the more useful and better things that you can buy with the money thus saved. Ask the other family members also, who smoke, to stop smoking. Keep yourself busy. Exercise regularly and meditate occasionally. Eat healthy food.
After doing all this you may still feel severe urges to smoke. You may also actually retort back to it, but that’s no problem, just be persistent and bring back your decision on to the right track after this break, because most of the people are successful only after 2-3 attempts.
Be prepared for withdrawal symptoms
About 80% people retort back to smoking after once leaving it and only 20% successfully accomplish the task. People retort back due to many reasons. Some say they feel agitated. Others say that the aroma when someone lights up is irresistible. But most of them do so due to the fear of symptoms that appears after that last puff viz. weight gain, aggressive thinking, dry throat, fatigue, muscle cramps, constipation, dizziness, hypersensitivity to stimuli, etc. but these are all just temporary symptoms and disappear in a few days. In fact after the initial bout is over the blood pressure, heart rate, pulse arte all get back to normal. You thus need to keep your will power strong and stick to your decision for a few more days.
Some people are not able to continue with the smoke cessation programs because they say that they are costly. But this is a wrong perception because they are not costlier than the price spent for buying cigarettes. And then isn’t it more logical to spend on your health rather on a disease.
How to Stay Quit once you have Quit Smoking
We have all met different people who claim that 'quitting smoking is easy.' They generally say this as they are puffing on a cigarette. Sure -- it's easy to quit for an hour or a day, but it is the steadfastly remaining quit part which is demanding.
Perhaps the most beneficial incentive for avoiding cigarettes is knowing how it rewards you. According to the US Surgeon General's report the advantages of giving up smoking begin almost straightaway and increase the longer you keep away from smoking. After just 20 minutes of nonsmoking your blood pressure comes back to normal. Eight hours later, your system has flushed the carbon dioxide. During the three months after quitting, your lung capacity increases by 30%. One year after quitting your risk of heart attack has become half that of a steady smoker. After five years your risk of sudden stroke has normalized and after 10 years your expected risk of lung cancer is half that of a steady smoker.
These increased physical health benefits are one and the same regardless when you quit. Of course, if you quit when you are young you have a much better probability of regaining normal health within a shorter time. But even if you quit when you are 60 your life expectancy and primary standard of living will significantly intensify.
Unfortunately, what is going to happen 10 years down the road is often of little direct importance during a spell of nicotine craving. The longer you quit smoking, however, the less often these cravings will readily occur. But smoking is more than just a physical addiction, it is also a behavioral habit, and long after the physical need for nicotine has been finally overcome you may still feel the need to smoke in special circumstances.
Identifying the current circumstances which cause you to reach for a cigarette can be of great help in overcoming the inclination to smoke. If you usually recognize, for instance, that you feel like smoking at parties, you may especially need to avoid them for a particular interval of time until you break the habit. Also, if current conditions of stress make you want to smoke, finding alternative ways to deal with stress will help you stay smoke-free.
Despite all your best efforts, you may find that you have had a relapse and have taken up smoking again. If this results, don't let this discourage you -- many people have to try four or five times before they successfully quit. The most important is immediately to stop smoking. Even if you are in the middle of a cigarette, put it out and discard the balance of the package. Don't get down on yourself or think that you have failed -- each time you reaffirm your commitment to quit it becomes stronger.
Look for moral support from family and confidantes. If you deeply feel like smoking, talk to somebody about it and let them know what you are going through. Some communities have solid encouragement groups for people who are trying to quit. With regular scheduled meetings and contact with other group members you can support one another and offer encouragement and expert guidance.
Some companies besides offer programs for employees who wish to quit. Take advantage of all of these services -- your long-term commitment to quit smoking is helpful not only to you but also to your family, friends, and associates.
Perhaps the most beneficial incentive for avoiding cigarettes is knowing how it rewards you. According to the US Surgeon General's report the advantages of giving up smoking begin almost straightaway and increase the longer you keep away from smoking. After just 20 minutes of nonsmoking your blood pressure comes back to normal. Eight hours later, your system has flushed the carbon dioxide. During the three months after quitting, your lung capacity increases by 30%. One year after quitting your risk of heart attack has become half that of a steady smoker. After five years your risk of sudden stroke has normalized and after 10 years your expected risk of lung cancer is half that of a steady smoker.
These increased physical health benefits are one and the same regardless when you quit. Of course, if you quit when you are young you have a much better probability of regaining normal health within a shorter time. But even if you quit when you are 60 your life expectancy and primary standard of living will significantly intensify.
Unfortunately, what is going to happen 10 years down the road is often of little direct importance during a spell of nicotine craving. The longer you quit smoking, however, the less often these cravings will readily occur. But smoking is more than just a physical addiction, it is also a behavioral habit, and long after the physical need for nicotine has been finally overcome you may still feel the need to smoke in special circumstances.
Identifying the current circumstances which cause you to reach for a cigarette can be of great help in overcoming the inclination to smoke. If you usually recognize, for instance, that you feel like smoking at parties, you may especially need to avoid them for a particular interval of time until you break the habit. Also, if current conditions of stress make you want to smoke, finding alternative ways to deal with stress will help you stay smoke-free.
Despite all your best efforts, you may find that you have had a relapse and have taken up smoking again. If this results, don't let this discourage you -- many people have to try four or five times before they successfully quit. The most important is immediately to stop smoking. Even if you are in the middle of a cigarette, put it out and discard the balance of the package. Don't get down on yourself or think that you have failed -- each time you reaffirm your commitment to quit it becomes stronger.
Look for moral support from family and confidantes. If you deeply feel like smoking, talk to somebody about it and let them know what you are going through. Some communities have solid encouragement groups for people who are trying to quit. With regular scheduled meetings and contact with other group members you can support one another and offer encouragement and expert guidance.
Some companies besides offer programs for employees who wish to quit. Take advantage of all of these services -- your long-term commitment to quit smoking is helpful not only to you but also to your family, friends, and associates.
How Your Smoking Affects Your Loved Ones
Your cigarette, cigar or pipe smoking doesn't only have an affect on your health. The U.S. Surgeon General's report "The Health Consequences of Smoking," released in 2004, states it has been proven that smoking (or living with a person who smokes) can cause disease in nearly every organ of the body, in men as well as women. This means that every time you "light up" you are potentially damaging the health of your children, your spouse and your loved ones.
It is a fact that second hand smoke (also known as environmental tobacco smoke or ETS) is a major cause of children's illness. As children have developing lungs and have higher breathing rates than adults they run the greatest risk of health effects. In children under the age of 18 second hand smoke has been linked with pneumonia, lower respiratory tract infections, upper respiratory tract irritation, increased severity of asthma and asthmatic symptoms. It has been associated with sudden infant death syndrome, middle ear infections, upper respiratory tract infections (colds and sore throats) and cancers and leukemia. Japanese researchers just released a study that suggests that second hand smoke may affect childrens gums. 70f the children of smokers had a brownish or black pigmentation of their gums.
Statistics show that approximately 3,000 non-smoking adults die of lung cancer each year as a result of second hand smoke. Second hand smoke has been linked to nasal sinus cancer, cancer of the cervix, breast and bladder. Second hand smoke also causes an increased risk of death from heart disease.
If you must smoke, it is essential that you protect your loved ones, especially children. Don't smoke in your home. If you must smoke, smoke outside. Do not smoke in your car when your children are with you. Make sure that childcare providers and others who work in your home or around your children do not smoke.
There are many publications available to you free online that provide information on environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and it's affects on your family. Visit the US Environmental Protection Agency at http://www.epa.gov/smokefree/publications.html for a free booklet.
The fact is that it's not only your own health at risk when you smoke. You quitting will make your loved ones healthier, and happier too.
It is a fact that second hand smoke (also known as environmental tobacco smoke or ETS) is a major cause of children's illness. As children have developing lungs and have higher breathing rates than adults they run the greatest risk of health effects. In children under the age of 18 second hand smoke has been linked with pneumonia, lower respiratory tract infections, upper respiratory tract irritation, increased severity of asthma and asthmatic symptoms. It has been associated with sudden infant death syndrome, middle ear infections, upper respiratory tract infections (colds and sore throats) and cancers and leukemia. Japanese researchers just released a study that suggests that second hand smoke may affect childrens gums. 70f the children of smokers had a brownish or black pigmentation of their gums.
Statistics show that approximately 3,000 non-smoking adults die of lung cancer each year as a result of second hand smoke. Second hand smoke has been linked to nasal sinus cancer, cancer of the cervix, breast and bladder. Second hand smoke also causes an increased risk of death from heart disease.
If you must smoke, it is essential that you protect your loved ones, especially children. Don't smoke in your home. If you must smoke, smoke outside. Do not smoke in your car when your children are with you. Make sure that childcare providers and others who work in your home or around your children do not smoke.
There are many publications available to you free online that provide information on environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and it's affects on your family. Visit the US Environmental Protection Agency at http://www.epa.gov/smokefree/publications.html for a free booklet.
The fact is that it's not only your own health at risk when you smoke. You quitting will make your loved ones healthier, and happier too.
Kicking The Habit: The Zyban Way
If you're looking for a way to quit smoking that has a proven success rate, you may be interested in a drug called Zyban. The main active ingredient of Zyban is bupropion hydrochloride, which is also known as Wellbutrin. Originally prescribed as an antidepressant, Wellbutrin exhibited a side effect of making patients lose interest in cigarettes. With the Wellbutrin results as a guide, Zyban was developed and has been available as a smoking treatment since 1998.
How Zyban Works
The reason Zyban is so effective is not clearly understood. It makes patients feel energized and gives them a sense of well-being, which makes it useful for helping people quit smoking.
Patients start taking Zyban while they are still smoking. The quit date is set for 7 days later, and the drug is continued for another 7 to 10 weeks after that quit date. Patients report minimal symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Studies have shown that success rates of Zyban are about twice that of placebos.
If the smoker hasn't made significant improvements in his smoking habits by 10 weeks, it is unlikely that continued use of Zyban will help. Zyban treatment is like any other method for quitting smoking: in order to be effective the desire to quit has to come from within. Those who really don't want to stop smoking will find ways to sabotage any quitting plan.
The most commonly reported side effects are insomnia and a dry mouth. People with a history of seizures, eating disorders, or cirrhosis of the liver should not take it.
Compared with Patches
1 of the most popular alternatives for nicotine withdrawal is the nicotine patch -- a square patch that sticks to the skin and releases small doses of nicotine throughout the day. Patches allow the body to get the nicotine it craves without suffering the ill effects of smoking. People using patches may still feel the desire to smoke in certain situations because of associations with smoking that have nothing to do with nicotine. For example, some people associate smoking with going to a nightclub.
Patches are available in various strengths, so they can be used to wean the body gradually from its nicotine dependence. Those with a strong desire to quit smoking may find that nicotine substitutes free them to concentrate on the behavioral changes needed to rid themselves of dependency on tobacco.
Zyban does not provide nicotine to the body, it provides the smoker a feeling of well-being that allows him to give up the habit with relatively little difficulty. However, once Zyban treatment stops, the desire to smoke in certain situations may return.
Side Effects Of Patches
Patches can help eliminate the cravings associated with smoking, but they have to be used with some care. They can be worn throughout the day, but should be removed at night. Otherwise, they may cause insomnia or strange dreams.
The skin where the patch is applied may become red and itchy. These symptoms usually disappear within an hour after the patch is removed, but can cause discomfort during the day.
Both Zyban and nicotine substitutes are more effective when used in conjunction with some kind of counseling. A smoker must defeat both nicotine addiction and a series of smoking habits in order to ultimately join the ranks of the non-smoker.
How Zyban Works
The reason Zyban is so effective is not clearly understood. It makes patients feel energized and gives them a sense of well-being, which makes it useful for helping people quit smoking.
Patients start taking Zyban while they are still smoking. The quit date is set for 7 days later, and the drug is continued for another 7 to 10 weeks after that quit date. Patients report minimal symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Studies have shown that success rates of Zyban are about twice that of placebos.
If the smoker hasn't made significant improvements in his smoking habits by 10 weeks, it is unlikely that continued use of Zyban will help. Zyban treatment is like any other method for quitting smoking: in order to be effective the desire to quit has to come from within. Those who really don't want to stop smoking will find ways to sabotage any quitting plan.
The most commonly reported side effects are insomnia and a dry mouth. People with a history of seizures, eating disorders, or cirrhosis of the liver should not take it.
Compared with Patches
1 of the most popular alternatives for nicotine withdrawal is the nicotine patch -- a square patch that sticks to the skin and releases small doses of nicotine throughout the day. Patches allow the body to get the nicotine it craves without suffering the ill effects of smoking. People using patches may still feel the desire to smoke in certain situations because of associations with smoking that have nothing to do with nicotine. For example, some people associate smoking with going to a nightclub.
Patches are available in various strengths, so they can be used to wean the body gradually from its nicotine dependence. Those with a strong desire to quit smoking may find that nicotine substitutes free them to concentrate on the behavioral changes needed to rid themselves of dependency on tobacco.
Zyban does not provide nicotine to the body, it provides the smoker a feeling of well-being that allows him to give up the habit with relatively little difficulty. However, once Zyban treatment stops, the desire to smoke in certain situations may return.
Side Effects Of Patches
Patches can help eliminate the cravings associated with smoking, but they have to be used with some care. They can be worn throughout the day, but should be removed at night. Otherwise, they may cause insomnia or strange dreams.
The skin where the patch is applied may become red and itchy. These symptoms usually disappear within an hour after the patch is removed, but can cause discomfort during the day.
Both Zyban and nicotine substitutes are more effective when used in conjunction with some kind of counseling. A smoker must defeat both nicotine addiction and a series of smoking habits in order to ultimately join the ranks of the non-smoker.
Mouth Cancer: A Painful Disease that can Strike Anyone
Mouth cancer is a painful disease. It can affect your lips, tongue, cheeks and even your throat in a short period of time. The sign is a non-healing mouth ulcer or a red o white patch in the mouth.
This disease can affect anyone. It does not matter if you are a young or an old person.The important thing is the way of leading your life,because experts believe that mouth cancer is increasing probably due to drinking alcohol and smoking in huge quantities, and to a poor diet also.
It is believed that these people are up to 30 times more likely to develop this type of cancer thann those who do not smoke nor drink alcohol.
The Brithish Dental Health Foundation estimates mouth cancer kills 1,700 people in the United Kingdom every year, meanwhile 4,300 new cases are diagnosed.
Thereby the importance of warningpeople of all ages to check their mouth regularly, since if mouth cancer is diagnosed early, it can be treated successfully in most cases.
Rememberthat the way to diminish considerably your risk of being affected by mouth cancer is leading a healthy lifestyle, giving up smoking, cutting down on alcohol and eating a healthy diet.
Regular self-examination is very important too, because you shall visit your doctor or dentist if you notice persistent ulcers, lumpsor red or white patches in your mouth.
This disease can affect anyone. It does not matter if you are a young or an old person.The important thing is the way of leading your life,because experts believe that mouth cancer is increasing probably due to drinking alcohol and smoking in huge quantities, and to a poor diet also.
It is believed that these people are up to 30 times more likely to develop this type of cancer thann those who do not smoke nor drink alcohol.
The Brithish Dental Health Foundation estimates mouth cancer kills 1,700 people in the United Kingdom every year, meanwhile 4,300 new cases are diagnosed.
Thereby the importance of warningpeople of all ages to check their mouth regularly, since if mouth cancer is diagnosed early, it can be treated successfully in most cases.
Rememberthat the way to diminish considerably your risk of being affected by mouth cancer is leading a healthy lifestyle, giving up smoking, cutting down on alcohol and eating a healthy diet.
Regular self-examination is very important too, because you shall visit your doctor or dentist if you notice persistent ulcers, lumpsor red or white patches in your mouth.
Overcoming the Addiction of Smoking
So what is the best way to overcome the addiction of smoking and to fight the cravings that nicotine cause.
There are many ways including taking pills, using patches and chewing gum but I want to take a look at the natural ways you can fight the cravings and overcome smoking for good. It is important to use natural ways as to chemical ways because by using patches for example, you are only transferring from cigarettes to patches. Both contain nicotine and are not good for you. Now I know patches are better than cigarettes because the later has other chemicals and produces tar but it is best to stop smoking naturally to get the full benefit out of quitting.
Now let’s look at a couple of ways that you can do to help you keep your cravings to a minimum. Firstly there is exercise, this is a great way to help you quit smoking as it will get rid of stress and it will also help your body improve and heal it’s self from the effects of smoking. There are many different types of exercise you can undertake. You can go to the gym or even go running. Try playing football or basketball as these types of competitive sports are good for fitness and relieve stress. If you’re not up to vigorous exercise you can simply try some aerobics or brisk walking.
The exercise will decrease the feeling of the need to smoke and keep you in a good mood thus preventing you from smoking. Another thing that will help you stop smoking is to cut out excessive drinking of alcohol as it’s a well known fact that people are more likely to smoke if they are drinking.
The second way to help cut craving and feeling the need for a cigarette is to take up a hobby. It doesn’t sound like it can help but by taking up your time and not becoming bored you will not feel the need to smoke as often as you would doing nothing. It can also give you other things to spend your money on than cigarettes and can be seen as a reward for stopping smoking.
To quit smoking the natural way it is important to release stress and occupy your time and not become bored. Also try and stay away from other smokers that will entice you to take up smoking again.
About the author:
Rob Mellor owns the number one website helping people stop smoking in less than 40 minutes. Please visit the site for more information to stop smoking
There are many ways including taking pills, using patches and chewing gum but I want to take a look at the natural ways you can fight the cravings and overcome smoking for good. It is important to use natural ways as to chemical ways because by using patches for example, you are only transferring from cigarettes to patches. Both contain nicotine and are not good for you. Now I know patches are better than cigarettes because the later has other chemicals and produces tar but it is best to stop smoking naturally to get the full benefit out of quitting.
Now let’s look at a couple of ways that you can do to help you keep your cravings to a minimum. Firstly there is exercise, this is a great way to help you quit smoking as it will get rid of stress and it will also help your body improve and heal it’s self from the effects of smoking. There are many different types of exercise you can undertake. You can go to the gym or even go running. Try playing football or basketball as these types of competitive sports are good for fitness and relieve stress. If you’re not up to vigorous exercise you can simply try some aerobics or brisk walking.
The exercise will decrease the feeling of the need to smoke and keep you in a good mood thus preventing you from smoking. Another thing that will help you stop smoking is to cut out excessive drinking of alcohol as it’s a well known fact that people are more likely to smoke if they are drinking.
The second way to help cut craving and feeling the need for a cigarette is to take up a hobby. It doesn’t sound like it can help but by taking up your time and not becoming bored you will not feel the need to smoke as often as you would doing nothing. It can also give you other things to spend your money on than cigarettes and can be seen as a reward for stopping smoking.
To quit smoking the natural way it is important to release stress and occupy your time and not become bored. Also try and stay away from other smokers that will entice you to take up smoking again.
About the author:
Rob Mellor owns the number one website helping people stop smoking in less than 40 minutes. Please visit the site for more information to stop smoking
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