Quit Smoking Health Feed

As you know, several scientific studies have proven that smoking is one of the main causes of several serious ailments like cancer, lung diseases, asthma and so on. Pregnant women who smoke not only spoil their own health, but also the health of the lovely kid in their womb. Yet many women wonder whether smoking really affects pregnancy and the answer is quite in the affirmative.

1. Cigarette chokes the baby in the womb: It is known that cigarette smoke contains more than 4000 chemicals including lead and cyanide. In fact, it is one of the few products that contain more than 60 different types of cancer-causing chemicals and compounds. It would be interesting to note that none among these 4000 chemicals is beneficial to the expectant mother and to the baby in the womb. In fact, cigarette smoke chokes not only the expectant mother but also the baby inside. As a result, frequent chocking causes serious effects on the health of the fetus.
2. Grouped into three categories: Smoking directly affects the health of the fetus. Premature babies, stillborn babies and underweight babies are some of the results of smoking prior to pregnancy. As a matter of fact, smoking by women could be grouped into three namely smoking before, during and after pregnancy. This issue is further discussed here:
   • It is strongly suggested that women planning on pregnancy should stop smoking at least few months before they conceive. In the first place, smoking may affect the fertility of both men and women. Therefore, the couple should stop smoking, if they are planning to have a baby. Further, if the couple does not quit smoking and the woman becomes pregnant, then it can seriously affect the health of the baby.
   • Whether you smoke during the first three months or during the last phase of the pregnancy, tobacco can severely harm the health of the fetus. The increase of monoxide in the bloodstream caused by smoking tobacco will enter the bloodstream of the mother and also of the child in the womb. Naturally, this will affect the growth of the child. It can cause visual and/or hearing impairment, behavioural problems and also mental disability of the baby.
   • Post pregnancy, the mother should breastfeed the baby. Smoking can retard the secretion of milk in the breast. Further, the dangerous chemicals present in the smoke of tobacco will make its presence in breast milk. Naturally, this will affect the health of the baby.

Keeping in view the best interests of the mother and baby, it is strongly suggested that the couple should stop smoking, if they want to have a baby. After all, the health of the baby and of the couple is a matter of primary importance.

In case you have a concern or query regarding gynaecological issues, you can consult a gynaecologist online & get the answers to your questions through online doctor consultation via video call.

Smoking is a die-hard habit and many people eventually die of the same. It remains one of the most common causes of cancer and lung diseases which eventually lead to death. The irony is that almost all smokers know the harmful effects but find it hard to quit. With a firm determination, there are people who quit but then the relapse rate is quite high too.

Many believe that quitting requires a behavioural change. From peer pressure to a lifestyle habit, smoking is a social phenomenon. There are various methods to help quit smoking like quitting cold turkey and nicotine substitutes. Hypnosis is also gaining popularity as a method to help quit smoking. Research has shown an encouraging success rate in the range of 30 to 40% in cases where the desire and commitment to quit are high. This, of course, is with people who have a strong will and are able to be hypnotized.

Hypnosis or hypnotherapy is a psychological technique used as supplemental therapy in a lot of cases - weight loss, depression, speech disorders, pain management, de-addiction; the list can be quite long.  It puts the person undergoing therapy into a deep sleep or trance, where they get in touch with themselves and find answers to a lot of questions. It is believed that while hypnosis puts a person to sleep, it also induces a higher level of cognition and a higher level of neurological activity.

'During the actual session, the smoker is asked to imagine the numerous ill-effects of smoking and the need to reduce its harmful effects on the body. This improves the will power to quit smoking and reduces the desire. They are also advised of the benefits of quitting smoking, including longevity of life and better quality of life. The person is told that quitting smoking before 50 years of age gives a 50% chance of increase the lifespan by 15 years. Now that is quite motivating for a lot of smokers to give up the habit.

It generally takes about 4 full sessions of hypnotherapy to reach a level where the patient is ready to kick the habits. Also, self-hypnosis can be taught where the person can go into hypnosis on his own and enforce smoking cessation. There are even self-hypnosis tapes that are available for aid.

However, a word of caution here - hypnosis is not for everybody as not everybody can be hypnotized easily and there has to be a strong belief that it will benefit, only then can smoking cessation be tried with hypnosis. It is still in the testing phase and is to be medically proven as a way to quit smoking.

A number of factors may increase your risk of lung cancer. Some risk factors can be controlled, for instance, by quitting smoking. Other like family history or environmental factors can’t be controlled.
Smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer. Not only harmful for you but also for your loved ones inhaling second-hand smoke. 
If you quit smoking, even after smoking for many years, you can significantly reduce your chances of developing lung cancer.
There are strategies for quitting smoking, such as counseling and nicotine replacement products, etc. Best way to reduce your risk is to stop smoking completely and it's never too late to stop! 

If you smoke and are unable to quit, contact a doctor.