In addition to being at risk of lung cancer and emphysema, a woman who smokes is six times more likely than a non-smoker to suffer a heart attack. Expectant and nursing mothers, of course, have special reasons to quit because the toxins go directly from mother to child.
Women who smoke may have more trouble getting pregnant. And women merely exposed to second hand smoke have an increased risk of miscarriage and of delivering a pre-term, low-birth-weight child. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is significantly more likely to occur in mothers who smoke.
Although male smokers have always outnumbered female smokers, lung cancer rates in American women have climbed and only recently begun to level off. Rates for women are now almost equal to those of men, even though men are still more likely to smoke.
Experts point out that women continued to take up the smoking habit during the 1960s and 1970s when men were beginning to quit. Some studies indicate that women may be more vulnerable to lung cancer–developing cancer earlier and with a lower level of smoke exposure than men. And they apparently have a harder time quitting–perhaps in part because those who quit gain an average of 10 pounds in the months that follow.
Smoking is more than a bad habit. A typical smoker gets 200 to 300 doses of nicotine, a highly addictive substance, every day. By comparison, a cocaine addict gets 5 to 15 doses and a heroin addict, only 2 doses a day.
GETTING HELP: If you need help–and most smokers do–the first step might be talking to your pharmacist or doctor. A health professionals advice and encouragement has been found to be an important positive influence.
He or she may guide you to smoking cessation programs in your area and to numerous resources that are available from the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association and the American Heart Association.
Before starting, many experts recommend making a list of all the reasons you want to quit and all the benefits you’ll gain. The time and money saved will undoubtedly be part of the list. Some successful quitters decide to keep a “cigarette money” jar and spend the proceeds for a special reward.
A diary of when and where you smoke over a two-week period might also be helpful in revealing what is likely to trigger a need for a cigarette. If you always smoke just after a meal, for example, fill that time with some activity such as a brisk walk.
Tell your family and friends that you’re planning to quit so they can give you support and understand the mood changes you are bound to experience.
Set a quit date, and when that day comes, make sure you have removed all cigarettes, lighters, ashtrays and other paraphernalia from your life. Wash all clothing that smells of cigarettes and have your teeth cleaned to give you a new start.
PRESCRIPTION AND OVER-THE-COUNTER PRODUCTS are available to help manage withdrawal symptoms.
Nicotine replacement includes the nicotine patch, gum or lozenges (available over-the-counter) and the prescription nasal spray and inhaler. Don’t eat or drink anything acidic such as tomato sauce, citrus juice, coffee or soda within a half hour of taking one of these products since that will decrease the product’s effectiveness.
Buproprion (Zyban, Wellbutrin) is an antidepressant medication that has been found effective in lessening the urge to smoke.
As you battle the urge to smoke, you may want to keep in mind the rewards of quitting. Within 20 minutes, the poisons will start to leave your body leaving you with a normal blood level of oxygen. Within a few days, you will start to regain your normal senses of taste and smell, and your breathing will be easier.
Take a deep breath, compliment yourself and reward yourself with your favorite meal and a relaxing walk.
Tana N Kaefer, PharmD
