How To QUIT Smoking and WHAT HAPPENS When You STOP...

Feb 19
2022

How To QUIT Smoking and WHAT HAPPENS When You STOP | Doctor Explains 🚭

Time to kick the habit? In today’s episode of Dr Nora, I take you through why smoking cigarettes is so addictive, what the impacts are on health and how to successfully stop.

NICOTINE

Each year over 19,000 Australians die of smoking related illnesses. Cigarettes contain over 4000 chemicals of which 43 are known to cause cancer. One of those chemicals is called nicotine which is the principle reason why smoking can be so addictive. Once inhaled nicotine travels into the blood and passes through to the brain activating the reward pathway releasing a happy hormone called dopamine. Each time a cigarette is smoked, the reward pathway is activated and so the body craves more.

HEALTH EFFECTS

Smoking also causes a number of illnesses, such as lung cancer, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Not only does it affect the lungs but it also is a major risk factor for heart failure. It also contributes to premature ageing and erectile dysfunction in men.

The good news is, once you stop smoking, a number of positive changes happen in the body, such as the protective barriers to the lungs and airways called cilia recover, more oxygen can be carried around the body and the risk of lung cancer is reduced to less that half that of a smoker after 10 years of cessation.

HOW TO STOP

There are many ways to stop smoking, however, we know the most successful people have the aid of support networks. Nicotine replacement therapy is aimed at those addicted to nicotine and can take the shape of lozenges, spray, gum or patches. Oral medications can be given on the advice of a medical practitioner. In Australia, e-cigarettes or vaping is a prescription only medication that can be used if the above methods have failed. It is important to know that vaping is not approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration as the long term side effects are not known.

Alongside medication, cognitive strategies can be implemented. These are strategies that use the power of thought to overcome addiction. Examples of this include keeping a smoking diary and see what triggers you to smoke. When you decide to stop smoking you can avoid these triggers. Another example includes keeping a list of the benefits of not smoking somewhere visible.

Behavioural strategies are used to help with the triggers of smoking. These include delaying the idea of smoking, taking a deep breath and performing another activity.

If you are planning to stop, always choose a target date and throw out any smoking paraphernalia, let your friends know you’re stopping too so they can support you. There are also a number of resources to get help from alongside your medical practitioner.

COMPANION VIDEOS

How To Sleep Well: https://youtu.be/KGCG-J21rtc

Everything About Genital Herpes: https://youtu.be/8waugo6TrT0

Tired All the Time: https://youtu.be/Zc0nXwC6RNw

FODMAP Diet: https://youtu.be/Xi9TjiisSmc

Health Tips: https://youtu.be/XMzA3l9iT20

Boxercise Workout: https://youtu.be/kbEQPOYTXBA

Quit Smoking: quit.org.au

Take care and stay healthy 😊

Dr Nora 💉

CHAPTERS

0:17 Introduction