Quitting Smoking Stop Smoking
Good Reasons for Quitting:
- Breathe easier and have more energy
- Lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer, while decreasing your chances of developing a respiratory disease like chronic bronchitis and emphysema
- Everyone around you will be healthier- cigarette smoke is more harmful for the non-smoker than the smoker. Second-hand smoke contains more than 4000 chemicals, which are linked to causing cancer.
- You will live longer and live healthier
When your body is addicted to nicotine and is then deprived, you may experience many withdrawal symptoms. The following table indicates all the symptoms you may experience and suggests many tips to overcome the symptoms. Following these tips may help prevent setbacks.
Why Choose Acupuncture & Laser?
- Natural way to quit smoking
- Painless
- No side effects
- Addresses the physical, psychological, and chemical challenges of becoming a non-smoker
- Supervised by licensed and trained practitioners
How it works?
- Laser Therapy – low light energy stimulates your nervous system to produce endorphins- your body's natural pain reliever
- Acupuncture – very small needles are strategically placed to stimulate the release of pain-relieving endorphins
Our health improves with everyday we live a smoke-free life. The following table identifies the progression of our health after quitting smoking.
| Time | Effect |
|---|---|
| Within 8 hours of quitting | Carbon monoxide levels drop, oxygen levels go back to normal |
| Within 48 hours of quitting | The chances of having a heart attack start decreasing, and the senses of taste and smell start improving |
| Within 72 hours of quitting | Bronchial tubes relax, which makes breathing easier, and lung capacity increases |
| Within 2 weeks to 3 months of quitting | Blood circulation gets better, and lung function improves by as much as 30% |
| Within 6 months of quitting | Coughing, tiredness, sinus congestion, and shortness of breath all improve |
| Within 1 year of quitting | The risk of heart attack due to smoking falls to half that of someone who sill smokes |
| Within 10 years of quitting | The risk of dying from lung cancer falls to half that of someone who still smokes |
| Within 15 years of quitting | The risk of dying from a heart attack becomes the same as for someone who has never smoked |
| Symptoms | Tips |
|---|---|
| Increased Appetite | • Eat balanced meals • Drink plenty of water • Snack on healthy, low fat foods |
| Craving for nicotine | • Drink a glass of water • Eat a healthy snack • Chew gum • Take a walk • Distract yourself until it passes • Avoid your smoking triggers |
| Depression | • Use positive self-talk • See the doctor if depression is intense and will not go away • Speak to friends or family |
| Restlessness | • Exercise • Use relaxation techniques • Take a walk |
| Poor Concentration | • Avoid additional stress • Take regular work breaks • Go for a brisk walk • Split bigger projects into smaller tasks |
| Irritability/aggression | • Go for a walk • Use relaxation techniques • Take deep breaths |
| Sleep Disturbance | • Take a hot bath or do relaxation exercises before bed • Avoid caffeine • Do not nap during the day |
| Lightheadedness | • Sit or lie down until it passes |
Tips to Help you Quit Smoking:
- Throw away all ash trays, cigarettes or anything that reminds you of smoking in your home or vehicle
- Notify family and friends about your decision to quit and ask for their support
- Keep busy
- Reward yourself often when you accomplish goals
- Avoid your usual smoking areas and change your routine
Information obtained from Health Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society