What Happens When You Quit Smoking? The 5 R's Of Smoking Cessation!

Are you aware of the fact that smoking cigarettes may contribute to almost 1 in 5 deaths every day all around the globe? The top three smoking-related causes of death are majorly cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 

In addition to these top three causes, smoking is also linked to several other numbers of cancers, diabetes, an increased likelihood of getting more colds and infections, osteoporosis and hip fractures, difficulty with erections, stomach ulcers, gum disease, and other health-related issues.

For most people who consume tobacco, tobacco cravings or smoking urges can be very strong to them. But you can stand up against these cravings. When you feel the urge to smoke or take tobacco, remember that although the urge may be strong, it will likely pass within 5 to 10 minutes whether or not you smoke a cigarette or take a dip of chewing tobacco. 

Every time you resist a tobacco craving and bolster your quit smoking plan, you are one step closer to quitting tobacco use for good. Keep on reading the blog to get to read more about smoking cessation.

Table Of Contents

1. What Happens When You Quit Smoking?

2. What Is The Most Successful Smoking Cessation Method?

3. What Are The 5 R's Of Smoking Cessation?

4. What Is The Best Cigarette Replacement?

5. The Final Say

6. FAQs

7. References

What Happens When You Quit Smoking?

When a person aims to quit smoking, the body starts to heal naturally and will regain the vitality of a nonsmoker over some time. Here are some major benefits of smoking cessation that you must know:

• Quitting smoking also means breaking the cycle of your daily addiction and essentially rewiring the brain to stop craving nicotine.

• To be successful, people who smoke and want to quit need to have a plan in place to overcome cravings and triggers.

• The benefits of quitting smoking begin within 20 minutes after the last cigarette.

• The sooner a person quits, the faster they may reduce risk of cancer, heart and lung disease, and other smoking-related conditions.

  
  

Also Read: The Intricate Relationship Between Smoking And Weight

What Is The Most Successful Smoking Cessation Method?

Some treatments are considered best for smoking cessation by increasing quit rates, especially when they are combined with counselling. These medications help with cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and also with other side effects of quitting smoking. 

Varenicline and bupropion may take some time to work, so they should be taken starting a week to several weeks before the quit date, depending on the medication. You must also consult your doctor about which treatment is suitable for you. 

All of these agents are effective and are used even if a person has not stopped smoking completely. Here are the most successful smoking quitting methods mentioned:

1. Nicotine Replacement

Using nicotine replacement can help you in smoking cessation, as it doubles up the quit rate. There are many forms available with prescription, such as patches, gum, lozenges and inhalers. 

The highest dose patch, which is (21mg) should be used if you smoke more than 10 cigarettes in a day. The nicotine patch provides a 24-hour delivery of nicotine through the skin. It can be removed during bedtime. Other forms of short-acting nicotine replacement can be used alone or in combination with patches for cravings. Alternatively, they can be used on a regular schedule initially, such as hourly while awake.

2. Varenicline (Chantix)

Varenicline is a medication used for smoking cessation and maintaining respiratory health. It helps smokers by binding to nicotine receptors in the body, partially activating them to reduce withdrawal symptoms. Varenicline makes smoking less pleasurable by blocking nicotine from binding to these receptors, thus reducing the urge to smoke. Studies have shown that varenicline has the highest success rate in helping people quit smoking.

3. Bupropion (Zyban, Wellbutrin SR)

Bupropion works on the brain’s hormones. It has the added benefit of minimising the initial weight gain along with helping you with smoking cessation. But, this treatment or method cannot be used if you have a history of seizure disorders.

Also Read: Lung Detox: The Treatment For Smokers 

What Are The 5 R's Of Smoking Cessation?

Here are the 5 R’s of smoking cessation explained below:

What Is The Best Cigarette Replacement?

After knowing about the steps of smoking cessation, here are some of the best options mentioned that could be an effective replacement for cigarettes:

1. Nicotine Patch

The nicotine patch is a self-adhesive patch that releases nicotine into your body through your skin. You can apply a new nicotine patch every day on a hairless area of your skin on your upper arm or chest area.

2. Nicotine Gum

Nicotine gum contains a very little amount of nicotine. The nicotine enters your body through the lining of your mouth when you use the gum as per the directions given.

If you have just started using nicotine gum, you can use a piece of it every one to two hours and can use up to 24 pieces a day.

3. Nicotine Lozenge

Nicotine lozenges are tablets containing a small amount of nicotine. You can use it by placing a lozenge between your gumline and cheek and slowly sucking it. The nicotine enters your bloodstream as it is absorbed through the lining of your mouth.

Also Read: Lungs Detox: Juices And Smoothies For Lungs Detoxification 

The Final Say

Smoking is harmful to almost every organ in your body, and quitting smoking can bring immediate health benefits that may increase over time. Do you know that within 30 minutes from your last cigarette, the blood pressure and pulse may decline and return to normal? 

Also, after 24 hours, the chances of heart attack decline, and within 3 years, the risk of heart attack is similar to that of people who have never smoked. Over time, cancer risk decreases as well. Someone who has successfully quit smoking can become your role model and can help you support other people who want to quit. 

Quitting smoking cessation can be challenging, but it is possible, and evidence-based treatments are available. It will pass. So, quit smoking for good to and to feel better!

FAQs

1. What are the best smoking cessation programs?

Counselling, behaviour therapy, medicines, and nicotine-containing products, like nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers, and nasal sprays, are some helpful steps for smoking cessation.

2. How can I plan to stop smoking?

Here are some points to follow to excel in your quit-smoking plan:

• Avoid triggers

• Every smoker can quit

• Nicotine patch

• Commit to quitting

• On your quit day

• Remove reminders of smoking

• Write down your reasons for quitting

• Choose a quit method

• Drink lots of water

  
  

3. What are the 5 smoking cessation steps?

The 5 cigarette smoking prevention steps are:

• Precontemplation

• Contemplation

• Recent quitting

• Long-term quitting

• Relapse

  
  

4. How are health and smoking connected?

Smoking may cause several health-related issues, such as cancer, heart-related disease, stroke, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

5. Is smoking cessation good?

Smoking cessation is one of the crucial actions people who smoke can take in order to reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease. Quitting reduces the risk of disease and death from cardiovascular disease. reduces markers of inflammation and hypercoagulability.

References

• National Tobacco Quit Line Services (NTQLS)

• Tobacco Cessation Centres

• How to Quit | Smoking & Tobacco Use

• National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP)

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