Everyone knows that cancer and lung diseases pose the biggest threat on smokers’ health. Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths among smoking individuals. Studies have shown though that it is also a risk factor for other types of cancer: cancer of the throat, cancer of the mouth, and cancer of the esophagus to name a few. On the other hand, lung diseases specifically pneumonia, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis have all been proven to be caused by smoking. They are known as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) which can bring chronic illnesses and disability. The hard truth about these diseases is that as one contracts them and does not go for immediate treatment, they eventually worsen and may cause death.

Smokers are also prone to heart diseases, strokes and other blood vessel diseases. By smoking continuously, their chances of acquiring these fatal illnesses is up by 50% more compared to those who do not smoke at all. Smoking also affects the blood vessels that carry blood to the legs and arms which results to peripheral vascular diseases and blood vessels in the brain which is why strokes happen. For men who are chain smokers, they are likely to develop erectile dysfunction later on in their life.

A very important matter of concern for women smokers is that when they are pregnant, miscarriage can easily happen or lower birth-weight babies that can develop physical and mental abnormalities can be born due to their bad habit. If worse comes to worst, these babies could easily die. Women who also take birth control pills and smoke at the same time have higher risks of heart attacks and stroke.

If these facts don’t get you to quit smoking, then maybe results of studies made on years of life lost due to smoking will be reason enough to make you quit. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an adult male smoker loses an average of 13.2 years of life and that of an adult female smoker loses an average of 14.5 life years due to smoking! Just think of how much smoking can steal from you!

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Most people assume that having a stroke is more common in older adults however there is also a large percentage of people under 65 who are at risk of a stroke. The risk of having a stroke increases if a parent, grandparent, brother or sister has had a stroke.

There are so many factors that can increase your chances including the following:-

Gender, men are at a higher risk than women when under 55 years of age, after age 55 both sexes are at equal risk.

Smoking also increases the risk of a stroke

High blood pressure and high blood cholesterol also plays a part in adding to the risk of a stroke

If you have already had a stroke you are more at risk of having another.

Obesity and having a lifestyle which is inactive can push your percentage up

Although changing you lifestyle and eating habits can help to reduce the risk you may find it does not illuminate the problem. Therefore knowing the signs of stroke can help you reach medical help faster than if you are unaware of what is happening.

The most common signs of stroke are as follows:

• A feeling of confusion, not being able to speak, or understand people properly.
• Numbness of the face, leg or arms particularly if down one side of your body
• Vision problems in one or both eyes
• Loss of balance, coordination.
• Severe Headache.
• These symptoms most commonly happen out of the blue and all of a sudden however it is possible for the symptoms to progress over few hours or even days.

You will not necessarily suffer from all of the warning signs of a stroke so it is important not to ignore any of them even if they seem to ease off.

If you know that you are at high risk then be prepared, carry emergency telephone numbers for hospitals and rescue services with you at all times. Know where the nearest hospital is when travelling.

If you are with someone who is showing signs of stroke call the emergency services immediately, you may find the person strongly disagrees with you as denial is common. However it is important to ignore the protest and get help as soon as possible.

The effects of a stroke can change someone’s life for ever. Depending where in the brain the stroke occurs will determine the outcome. Because one side of the brain controls the opposite side of the body if the stroke occurs on the left side of the brain the right side of the body will be affected.

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In most cases, smokers are well aware that they are damaging their health and possibly shortening their life spans. Even with this knowledge, quitting smoking is far easier said than done. Here, I’ll share my favorite natural tips for quitting that my patients have used to give up cigarettes for good.

Why Quit?

In order to successfully kick the habit, it is crucial to find reasons for quitting that are meaningful to you. It’s true that you will dramatically improve your health in the long term. You will also greatly reduce your risk for lung, as well as thirteen other types of cancer, heart disease, stroke, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Even if you’ve smoked for decades, it is not too late to reduce these health risks.

For some patients, a healthier body and a longer life expectancy aren’t enough to make them take action. I know it can be hard to appreciate benefits that don’t give you instant health returns. But take my word that if you give up cigarettes today, you will indeed feel healthier by tomorrow. You will have more energy and focus. Your sense of smell will improve and your breath will be fresh. You will be able to breathe easier when performing physical activity.

There are still more reasons to quit smoking that motivate even my most reluctant patients. For some, vanity can spur them to action. Smoking significantly contributes to visible signs of aging. Smokers develop deep wrinkles on their lips and around the mouth from puffing. Cigarette smoke attacks skin’s collagen resulting in sagging skin and discoloration. Finally, some patients are motivated to quit for their partner or children. Imagine how proud they will be when you quit and how good you will feel about yourself. Whatever your reason for quitting, write it down and refer back to it frequently throughout the process.

How to Kick the Habit

Once you know why you’re quitting, it’s time to make a plan. Set a quit date and stop buying cigarettes (as a bonus, you’ll save about $2,500 per year). Then make a list of all the things you can do when a cigarette craving strikes. These might include calling a friend, going for a walk, playing with your pet or children, cooking a meal, going shopping, washing the car or chewing gum. Anything goes if it works for you. Along with distracting yourself from your cravings, try the following natural strategies:

1. Replace “smoke breaks” – If you smoke on breaks at work, try a different fun activity like chatting with a friend, doing a crossword on your computer or grabbing decaf coffee (to avoid jitters) or juice instead of a cigarette.
2. Sip herbal tea – Replace your cigarettes with herbal teas. Since they don’t have caffeine, you can drink as much as you want any time of day. They also hydrate you, staving off food cravings.
3. Pop a mint – Keep a stash of peppermints on hand. Sucking on mints keeps your mouth busy and gives you a fresh taste instead of the bad breath that comes with smoking.
4. Get acupuncture – There is some evidence that this treatment can ease cravings to make quitting easier.
5. Try oat extract – A study showed that 1 ml taken four times per day reduced cigarette consumption. Look for it at health and natural food stores.
6. Add up your cash – Put the money you would be spending on cigarettes in a jar on your nightstand. A visible reminder of the dollars you can now spend on a spa treatment or a fancy dinner can be highly motivational.
7. Change up your routine – Many smokers puff out of habit. If you know you light up every day after lunch, schedule an informal meeting with a colleague right after your lunch break. If you smoke in the car, start listening to books on tape to keep you entertained.

I hope you can adopt some of these strategies and give up smoking for good. Once you define your own personal reason for quitting, you will be unstoppable!

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