Smoking: Treatments

How is smoking treated?

Quitting smoking is a very challenging undertaking that often requires several attempts before you can successfully and permanently quit. The best way to quit smoking is through a multifaceted smoking cessation program that includes perseverance, the support of the people close to the smoker, and often nicotine replacement therapy.

Nicotine replacement therapy

Nicotine replacement therapy is one option that helps to minimize the nicotine cravings associated with nicotine withdrawal. Nicotine replacement therapy, when used as directed, is generally considered safe, and is safer than the nicotine in cigarettes. This is because nicotine replacement products contain lower amounts of nicotine than cigarettes and do not expose the smoker to the tar and toxic gasses contained in cigarette smoke.

Nicotine replacement therapies are available in a variety of forms including patches, gums and lozenges, which are available without a prescription. A nicotine replacement nasal spray, an inhaler, and pills are also available but require a prescription.

For optimal results when choosing and using a nicotine replacement therapy product, it is recommended that you see your health care provider prior to treatment. Because nicotine replacement therapies, like all medications, have potential side effects, a licensed health care provider will complete a full evaluation, including a medical history and physical, before recommending which product is best for you. Nicotine replacement therapy should not be used by pregnant or nursing women.

A supportive environment is also important for successful smoking cessation. This is because nicotine replacement therapy only helps smokers to withdraw from the physical symptoms of nicotine addiction, but does not help smokers to change the habitual behavior of smoking. If you are trying to quit smoking, a support group may help you to better cope with the psychological and physiological effects of no longer smoking.

What are the potential complications of smoking?

There are many complications of smoking that are serious and even life threatening. Smoking causes or aggravates many diseases and damages almost every tissue and organ in the body. Cigarette smoking was responsible for one in five deaths in the United States during 2000 to 2004, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/tobacco_related_mortality/#cigs

People who are physically close to a smoker on a frequent basis can also experience similar effects due to the inhalation of secondhand smoke. Smoking cigarettes also exposes you to over 4,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic. Toxins found in cigarettes include formaldehyde and cyanide.

Smoking and cancer

Smoking causes many cancers and the vast majority of cases of lung cancer. Cancers caused by smoking include:

• Bladder cancer

• Cancer of the pharynx and larynx (voice box)

• Esophagus cancer

• Kidney cancer

• Leukemia

• Lung cancer

• Oral cancers

• Pancreas cancer

• Stomach cancer

• Throat cancer

• Uterine cancer

Smoking and lung, heart, and vascular disease

Smoking causes life-threatening lung and cardiovascular diseases, such as:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis)

• Coronary heart disease

Smoking also exposes you to carbon monoxide, a gas that lowers the level of oxygen in the blood. This is further complicated by the fact that smoking constricts blood vessels, decreasing blood flow to vital organs, such as the brain and heart and large arteries of the arms and legs, which can lead to peripheral vascular disease. Smoking also thickens the blood and increases the risk of developing life-threatening blood clots and complications of blood clots including:

• Buerger’s disease (acute inflammation and clotting of arteries and veins)

• Deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the leg)

• Heart attack

• Higher risk of serious blood clots in women who take contraceptives containing hormones

• Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung)

• Stroke

Smoking and pregnancy

Smoking causes or increases the risk of serious complications with pregnancy and infections in infants including:

• Increased risk of ear infections in infants and toddlers exposed to secondhand smoke

• Infertility

• Low birth weight babies

• Premature delivery

• Stillbirth

• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Other complications of smoking

Smoking worsens or increases the risk of many diseases and serious medical conditions including:

• Cardiovascular and heart diseases

• Diabetes

• High cholesterol and atherosclerosis

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)

• Osteoporosis and hip fractures

Smoking also exposes you to nicotine, which is an addictive drug whose side effects include:

• Increased heart rate

• Blood vessel irritation and a higher risk of developing blood clots, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack, and stroke