What to Ask About Quitting (Quit Cigarette Smoking)
1. What do I need to do to prepare to Quit Cigarette Smoking?
Maybe you are ready today, but your doctor may suggest that you plan for a Quit Cigarette Smoking date in the near future. Ask about steps you can take before quitting to be better prepared.
2. Should I use nicotine replacement?
Though you do not need a prescription to buy nicotine gum, patches or lozenges, it’s a good idea to discuss their use with your doctor. Contrary to popular belief, many people can safely use more than one type of nicotine product at the same time. Studies show that using two forms of nicotine replacement simultaneously, like the patch with the gum, works better than using only one.
3. Is the nicotine in nicotine replacement products harmful?
No. The really harmful substances are the burnt carcinogens in tobacco, not the nicotine. Many people use nicotine replacement for a year or more after Quit Cigarette Smoking. Experts think that for most people there is no harm in long-term use. It’s better to use nicotine replacement forever than to start smoking again.
4. Who else can I talk to?
Most doctors do not have time to stay in close contact with you to find out how you’re doing. But counseling is known to be one of the most effective aids to Quit Cigarette Smoking. The more frequent your contact with a counselor, the better. Ask your doctor for a referral to a trained counselor. Many states offer telephone quitlines that can aid smokers.
5. Should I try a prescription drug?
Research shows that these drugs help people stay smoke-free longer. Doctors have written millions of prescriptions for Chantix, for example, though enthusiasm for the drug has been tempered by recent concerns about side effects like suicidal thoughts and erratic behaviors.
6. Do I have any factors that might make it harder for me to Quit Cigarette Smoking ?
Personal circumstances can make Quit Cigarette Smoking easier or harder. Depression or anxiety, for example, may make it harder to Quit Cigarette Smoking. Living with nonsmokers may ease the effort. (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 75 percent of American homes are now smoke free.) Different smokers may also be more or less addicted to nicotine, and those with stronger addictions may need more help Quit Cigarette Smoking .
7. Are there alternative quitting aids that you recommend?
The scientific evidence for treatments like hypnosis, herbs and acupuncture is not convincing enough to merit an official recommendation for them. But you and your doctor may want to discuss ideas about complementary treatments to support your effort.
8. If I Quit Cigarette Smoking now, how might my health improve?
For smokers who are still relatively healthy, Quit Cigarette Smoking may remove the final barrier to achieving optimal health. But smoking has been linked to all kinds of health ills besides lung cancer or heart disease, including erection problems, arthritis and macular degeneration.
9. Will I gain weight?
Most people put on weight when they Quit Cigarette Smoking. Usually it is less than 10 pounds, but about 10 percent of quitters gain up to 30 pounds. Your doctor may be able to refer you to a nutritionist or counselor who can help you make changes to prevent weight gain.
10. How will Quit Cigarette Smoking affect the health care I’m receiving?
Ask your doctor to re-evaluate you after you have not smoked for a while. Your doctor may, for example, lower your doses for cholesterol or blood pressure medications after you stop smoking.
11. What if I fail?
Most smokers relapse. Ask your doctor to help you come up with a Plan B in case your first strategy does not succeed.
12. Have I already done irreparable harm by smoking?
It’s never too late to Quit Cigarette Smoking . Discuss your disease risks based upon your smoking history.
13. Will I ever feel good again after quitting?
Smoking is a serious addiction, not just a bad habit. The worst withdrawal symptoms last one to three weeks, but some people crave cigarettes long afterward. You may feel a sense of loss or emptiness after Quit Cigarette Smoking. Ask your doctor to explain the process of nicotine addiction and withdrawal. It’s important to know what is happening in your brain and body to understand how you feel.
14. Should I be screened for lung cancer?
Most doctors don’t recommend it. On the one hand, a chest X-ray could potentially catch tumors early, and maybe offer better treatment odds. On the other hand, screening may pick up something that looks like cancer but actually isn’t. Having an operation to check out a suspicious spot on the lung may therefore subject you to unnecessary risk, pain and expense.
Quit Cigarette Smoking~Question For Your Doctor
1. What do I need to do to prepare to Quit Cigarette Smoking?
Maybe you are ready today, but your doctor may suggest that you plan for a Quit Cigarette Smoking date in the near future. Ask about steps you can take before quitting to be better prepared.
2. Should I use nicotine replacement?
Though you do not need a prescription to buy nicotine gum, patches or lozenges, it’s a good idea to discuss their use with your doctor. Contrary to popular belief, many people can safely use more than one type of nicotine product at the same time. Studies show that using two forms of nicotine replacement simultaneously, like the patch with the gum, works better than using only one.
3. Is the nicotine in nicotine replacement products harmful?
No. The really harmful substances are the burnt carcinogens in tobacco, not the nicotine. Many people use nicotine replacement for a year or more after Quit Cigarette Smoking. Experts think that for most people there is no harm in long-term use. It’s better to use nicotine replacement forever than to start smoking again.
4. Who else can I talk to?
Most doctors do not have time to stay in close contact with you to find out how you’re doing. But counseling is known to be one of the most effective aids to Quit Cigarette Smoking. The more frequent your contact with a counselor, the better. Ask your doctor for a referral to a trained counselor. Many states offer telephone quitlines that can aid smokers.
5. Should I try a prescription drug?
Research shows that these drugs help people stay smoke-free longer. Doctors have written millions of prescriptions for Chantix, for example, though enthusiasm for the drug has been tempered by recent concerns about side effects like suicidal thoughts and erratic behaviors.
6. Do I have any factors that might make it harder for me to Quit Cigarette Smoking ?
Personal circumstances can make Quit Cigarette Smoking easier or harder. Depression or anxiety, for example, may make it harder to Quit Cigarette Smoking. Living with nonsmokers may ease the effort. (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 75 percent of American homes are now smoke free.) Different smokers may also be more or less addicted to nicotine, and those with stronger addictions may need more help Quit Cigarette Smoking .
7. Are there alternative quitting aids that you recommend?
The scientific evidence for treatments like hypnosis, herbs and acupuncture is not convincing enough to merit an official recommendation for them. But you and your doctor may want to discuss ideas about complementary treatments to support your effort.
8. If I Quit Cigarette Smoking now, how might my health improve?
For smokers who are still relatively healthy, Quit Cigarette Smoking may remove the final barrier to achieving optimal health. But smoking has been linked to all kinds of health ills besides lung cancer or heart disease, including erection problems, arthritis and macular degeneration.
9. Will I gain weight?
Most people put on weight when they Quit Cigarette Smoking. Usually it is less than 10 pounds, but about 10 percent of quitters gain up to 30 pounds. Your doctor may be able to refer you to a nutritionist or counselor who can help you make changes to prevent weight gain.
10. How will Quit Cigarette Smoking affect the health care I’m receiving?
Ask your doctor to re-evaluate you after you have not smoked for a while. Your doctor may, for example, lower your doses for cholesterol or blood pressure medications after you stop smoking.
11. What if I fail?
Most smokers relapse. Ask your doctor to help you come up with a Plan B in case your first strategy does not succeed.
12. Have I already done irreparable harm by smoking?
It’s never too late to Quit Cigarette Smoking . Discuss your disease risks based upon your smoking history.
13. Will I ever feel good again after quitting?
Smoking is a serious addiction, not just a bad habit. The worst withdrawal symptoms last one to three weeks, but some people crave cigarettes long afterward. You may feel a sense of loss or emptiness after Quit Cigarette Smoking. Ask your doctor to explain the process of nicotine addiction and withdrawal. It’s important to know what is happening in your brain and body to understand how you feel.
14. Should I be screened for lung cancer?
Most doctors don’t recommend it. On the one hand, a chest X-ray could potentially catch tumors early, and maybe offer better treatment odds. On the other hand, screening may pick up something that looks like cancer but actually isn’t. Having an operation to check out a suspicious spot on the lung may therefore subject you to unnecessary risk, pain and expense.
Quit Cigarette Smoking~Question For Your Doctor
1 comment:
I'll link over here, if you'd like, at the end of the month.
Post a Comment