A Healthy Life Blog

You CAN quit smoking now. Quitting smoking has immediate as well as long-term benefits for you and your loved ones. Do you still smoke? The list below shows you what danger you put yourself in if you do not quit smoking.

Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking

Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body; causing many diseases and reducing the health of smokers in general.1 The adverse health effects from cigarette smoking account for an estimated 438,000 deaths, or nearly 1 of every 5 deaths, each year in the United States.2,3 More deaths are caused each year by tobacco use than by all deaths from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides, and murders combined.

Cancer

Cancer is the second leading cause of death and was among the first diseases causually linked to smoking. Smoking causes about 90% of lung cancer deaths in men and almost 80% of lung cancer deaths in women. The risk of dying from lung cancer is more than 23 times higher among men who smoke cigarettes, and about 13 times higher among women who smoke cigarettes compared with never smokers. Smoking causes cancers of the bladder, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx (voice box), esophagus, cervix, kidney, lung, pancreas, and stomach, and causes acute myeloid leukemia. Rates of cancers related to cigarette smoking vary widely among members of racial/ethnic groups, but are generally highest in African-American men. Cardiovascular Disease (Heart and Circulatory System) Smoking causes coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States.1 Cigarette smokers are 2–4 times more likely to develop coronary heart disease than nonsmokers. Cigarette smoking approximately doubles a person’s risk for stroke.7,8 Cigarette smoking causes reduced circulation by narrowing the blood vessels (arteries). Smokers are more than 10 times as likely as nonsmokers to develop peripheral vascular disease. Smoking causes abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Respiratory Disease and Other Effects

Cigarette smoking is associated with a tenfold increase in the risk of dying from chronic obstructive lung disease.7 About 90% of all deaths from chronic obstructive lung diseases are attributable to cigarette smoking. Cigarette smoking has many adverse reproductive and early childhood effects, including an increased risk for infertility, preterm delivery, stillbirth, low birth weight, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Postmenopausal women who smoke have lower bone density than women who never smoked. Women who smoke have an increased risk for hip fracture than never smokers.

Quit smoking today and live a more healthier live !!!!!

Although you may not think it, suffering from tobacco nicotine addiction apart from being a very bad habit, is pretty much similar to being addicted to cocaine or heroine. A smoker may argue against that statement but consider contracting cancer because of your habit and you will begin to consider quitting. Stopping smoking through an alternative therapy method is not like going on a diet it has to interest you and keep you interested until it works there are no overnight cures despite what advertisers may tell you. An attractive alternative therapy when quitting smoking is the use of self-hypnosis to bring about a calm and relaxed frame of mind. Many advocates of hypnosis as a way of breaking the smoking habit do so because they feel totally relaxed during the withdrawal period as opposed to other treatments that make withdrawal an unpleasant experience. The result of this is that hypnosis is finding a place in the education of individuals as to the danger of smoking and providing an escape that appears to take little effort.

There are numerous sites selling a variety of hypnosis and self hypnosis products on the Internet the best we can recommend is Purely Hypnosis , CD’s which is devoted to helping people kick the habit. There are many people that buy them and say they feel better. Users of the recommeded site include Jeraldine Saunders (the Creator of the ‘Love Boat’ TV series and Tom Mankiewcz the writer of ‘Superman the Movie’. Maybe you’ve seen some shows where people get hypnotized and bark like a dog or any other animal, do not worry you will never act like this under self hypnosis. The great thing about hypnosis is the feeling of total relaxation and peace one feels.

You may have tried pills and potients to help you stop smoking but have you considered acupuncture or hypnosis both if carried out by profesionally trained practitioners can help.The truth that any medic or scientist can confirm is that we know little or nothing at all about mysticism and what it involves. You can search for opinions on the Internet and you will find that many share my opinion that hypnosis and self hypnosis in their own right when used correctly have no side effects. Some people carry out therapies especially alternative therapies without professional qualifications, they read a book, make sure that any practioner you slect is correctly certified for the work you ask them to do. Hypnosis whether through a qualified practioner of through self hypnosis used to quit smoking may work as it is said to eliminate the desire to smoke from the most inner levels of the subconscious, and when used in conjuction with any of the other aids such as gum, patches or lozenges, can prove to be very powerful. This is how you can learn the easy way to stop smokingin 17 Days or less by ex 70-a-day-smoker David Dutch

The multi-national tobacco companies should continue to receive the utter scorn of the worlds population as science has revealed their product and practices border on the criminal. Without going into to much detail take a look at what happens from the production of cigarettes through to the toxic chemical created and released by the burning process and maybe you will begin to understand what the act of smoking is actually doing to your body.

Taking it one step further, consider what the effects of smoking during pregnancy are on both the mother and the child.  The effects range from mild to very extreme.  Also, the effects of smoking during pregnancy, has negative repercussions not only on the baby but has continual implications through childhood and possibly into adulthood.

Complications in the Mother

The complications that they mother may experience because of the effects of smoking during pregnancy are as follows:
1. The mother can be hospitalized due to excessive vomiting.
2. Develop urinary tract infections,
3. Have an ectopic pregnancy, which is when the fertilized egg does not grow in the correct place.
4. The placenta can separate from the uterine wall before delivery or there can be too much amniotic fluid. 

These complications can occur both during pregnancy and delivery.

Since the effects of smoking during pregnancy can cause the mother to have a miscarriage or a stillbirth, psychological problems, such as depression, can arise.  Finally, death of the mother can occur due to hemorrhage during childbirth.

Complications in the Child

The effects of smoking during pregnancy on a child can be assigned into four categories.  The four categories are:
1. Size of the baby,
2. Genetic abnormalities,
3. Illnesses possibly developed later in childhood,
4. Death.

The size of the newborn is greatly altered due to smoking for two reasons. 
1. Preterm delivery. 
2. Size is altered because rather than nutrients crossing the placenta, chemicals such as nicotine and carbon monoxide reach the baby.  Without the nutrients, the baby is thus often underweight, which increase his or her chances of becoming ill. 

The effects of smoking during pregnancy can also cause genetic abnormalities,  Such as cleft lip and cleft palate.  Also, bowel problems can be experienced.  Other abnormalities can occur in sensory systems such as the eyes and ears.  More severe consequences are also seen.  These include spinal cord problems, cerebral palsy, and mental retardation.

Consider your actions very carefully, do you want to risk the health of your unborn child?

Consequences can also develop later in childhood.

In early childhood, respiratory problems, such as asthma, can be seen.  Also, behavior disorders often develop in toddlers.  The worst consequence of the effects of smoking during pregnancy is sudden infant death syndrome, which is also known as SIDS.

The consequences can be seen in adolescents, which include increased likelihood of smoking themselves. 

The effects of smoking during pregnancy is a major issue that women, men, parents, and children have to deal with.  The effects of smoking during pregnancy have far reaching repercussions for the mother, fetus, baby, toddler child and adolescent  I hope that all parents to be take this information on board and act accordingly with the wellbeing of their newborn in mind.

Here are a few tips on how to cope with depression in a relationship.

Depression is a universal phenomenon and quite possibly there is no one on the face of earth who has not gone through the course of depression at least once in his or her lifetime. When someone is in a love relationship, the chances of suffering from depression become higher.

It is very important to know different strategies for coping with depression, otherwise the depressed person may end up making fatal decisions in their  life. This article focuses on discussing different strategies in the format of tips with the purpose of educating the readers to cope with episodes of depression in their life.

Build Your Knowledge about Depression

The first and most important thing for coping with depression is to understandall the necessary details about depression, its causes and effects, symptoms and treatments. For that purpose, you may consult with doctors specializing in mental health or you may depend on mental health journals. Apart from that, there are huge resources available on the net which can offer you plenty of information for depression and different strategies for coping with depression.

Learn How To Discern  the Difference between Myth and Reality

The next important step for coping with depression is of course to increase your knowledge about the significant differences among myths and reality concerning depression and its different aspects. Many people believe that depression is not a treatable disease; hence there is no question of any specific possible treatments. Some people simply lable it as an experience of ordinary sadness; however, the fact is totally different. In fact, depression is a complex process and if not encountered at early stages, it may get out of hand and even cost lives..

Value Yourself and Your Unique Presence

Sometimes when we are in a relationship, we simply forget to value our own existence and unique identity by putting our family members first, which results in suffering from inevitable depression from identity confusion and identity distortion. You should respect yourself and know how to value your own decision and actions in a rational fashion. Set some time aside for yourself, give yourself a reward as an appreciation of your efforts, While coping with depression, you should first look at yourself from a dignified perspective.

Watch Out the Warning Signs

The behavior of a depressed individual is not the actual behavior. The common behaviors are withdrawn, shy, sullen and angry. Before coping with stress, try to identify the warning signs of depression in you and your partner. Most commonly, a depressed person experiences sudden outbursts of anger. In fact, they actually show their anger to themselves and their own mental state, although seemingly appear towards environment.

Seek Help and Treatment

Depression is a real disease and it is absolutely treatable. Similar to other illnesses, depression may get worse day by day if proper treatment has not been administered on time. There are various self-help groups around the world, who offer their unconditional support to the depressed individuals and help them coping with depression. If you are experiencing episodes of depression, it is better that you should visit these self-help groups. Additionally, you may also consult with doctors and mental health practitioners for possible treatments.

No one likes to admit they need help, even when deep down they wonder, “Will I ever heal from this?” Often, the residual effects of a crisis situation surface randomly, without warning, or manifest themselves in subconscious ways. There are some days when the victim may feel ok, but the deep sadness, anger or anxiety resurfaces again. Studies indicate that 31% of rape victims develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. According to the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study, 15% of males and over 8% of females developed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as well. A crisis intervention could provide the counseling, support and necessary coping skills one needs to move on after surviving a terrible ordeal.

There are many situations when a crisis intervention is recommended, such as surviving suicide, rape, abuse, surviving a kidnapping, runaways, military discharge, or following the death of a loved one. These intervention services are available not only for the victims but for the loved ones as well. The support net is critical for a person’s recovery, although many of us weren’t born simply knowing the right things to say or do. An intervention program such as this is helpful in creating that strong foundation of family and friends that will ultimately provide the long-term therapy for the recovering victim.

Dr. David Springer PHD called runaways the “Huck Finn Crisis,” meaning that it is often a reaction to problems, rather than a lust for thrill-seeking that drives adolescents to run away from home. It can be extremely painful for family members to have no idea where their child has gone, but it can also be difficult for the runaway teen to come to terms with the emotional problems that prompted the runaway. In some cases, family therapy is needed if the child comes from a broken home. In other cases, drug treatment or a medical intervention may be necessary. Three phases of treatment for runaways are: crisis intervention, assessment and long-term care. The intervention is designed to provide travel assistance to runaways, information, family intervention, counseling sessions, shelter referrals and relays messages between parents and children.

It’s natural to feel nervous and apprehensive about calling in outside help. Families may fear rejection or resentment of their role in calling crisis intervention services. However, momentary anger or rejection from the victim can help prevent life-long mental health problems and part of the crisis intervention will be aimed at helping victims to overcome the negative feelings by reaching for more positive, productive goals, which should heal their attitude. Intervention services are structured as liaisons that will connect the victim to all available support services, whether a medical intervention or a psychological intervention is needed. There is also an emphasis on immediate stabilization, cost effectiveness and long-term support.

Our children will one day be the leaders, it is therefore imperative that we take a good look at the current realities of modern adolescent depression and make massive efforts to prevent its growth and proliferation amongst our youth.

The pressures of modern living are also having a detrimental effect on our adolescent youth. Take a look at the following statistics and be amazed.

Figures never lie and they are perhaps the best means to highlight certain facts and when they are brought to the notice of the general public leave a lasting impression. It is important to gain the attention of all who want to learn about what the statistics are saying. There are no doubts that statistics are nothing more and nothing less than concrete concepts that have the power to sway even the most skeptical of minds, and it will even show the young generation the true picture with respect to adolescent depression.

Twenty Percent Of Teenagers Are Sufferers

The first thing that will make you sit up and take notice about statistics pertaining to adolescent depression is the news that nearly a fifth of the teenage population in the US has experienced a form of clinical depression, even before having gained full adulthood.

Not only that, but there are about ten to fifteen percents of teenagers that have shown symptoms of adolescent depression and another five percent of the teenage population will have suffered from significant depression.

Secondly, another alarming aspect to adolescent depression is the fact that there is not much social acceptance when it concerns teenagers with such a condition, and what’s worse is the fact that as many as eight percent of teenagers will have experienced the re-occurrence of depression at least once a year. This is alarming because only a mere five percent of the national population suffer from depression.

When a person suffers a bout of adolescent depression it will generally last for about eight months and teenagers are also at risk that the subsequent attack of adolescent depression will strike them within a mere two years and the chances of this happening are about twenty to forty percent, and there is also a seventy percent chance that they will experience another attack of adolescent depression before they have even reached full adulthood.

Thirdly, another feature of adolescent depression is that quite a few teenagers will suffer from attacks of seasonal depression. This form of depression is most likely to strike during the wintertime, it is also found in places where the altitude is on the high side. Even the weather can play a significant part in the onset of seasonal depression, which means that teenagers also need to be aware of these external effects on the state of mind..

Fourthly, other figures related to adolescent depression reveal that dysthymia or a mild form of depression that lasts for a long time will affect about two percent of teenagers and a like percentage of teenagers are also likely to suffer from bipolar depression when they grow older. In fact, it is thought that as many as fifteen percent of teenagers that have suffered from major depression will later on be at risk of developing bipolar depression.

Thus, it is safe to say that adolescent depression will affect teenagers no matter their social background, income level, gender as well as race or even their achievements and that adolescent depression is very common mental health problem affecting teenagers in the US.

Finding the best way to stop smoking is something that is almost impossible because every person reacts differently to various stimuli or triggers so there are very slight chances for someone to come up with the best way to quit smoking that will help everybody. The fact is that any smoker who wants to quit must first have a strong reason to do so, it is almost impossible to find the best way to stop smoking unless you know why you want to quit. If you ask ten persons who quit smoking what the secret is you will receive 80% different answers, this statistics simply shows how hard it is for science to develop the best way to stop smoking despite all the information and education that is available and the resources that have been thrown at the problem.. Discover which of the aids available is the best for you, talk to your doctor, your non-smoking friends they will encourage and support you as you win your battle - and win you will. The number of products that are available over-the-counter to help you in your battle grow year on year, use them and you will win. One of the best ways to stop smoking, I’ve read about, is to write a list quoting all the reasons you can think of for quitting, thus every time the need for a cigarette appears you can simply took a look at the list and remembered how bad smoking is.

Many smokers turn to patches, gum, lozenges or nasal sprays and discussion groups as the best way to stop smoking, some even choose to change all their life eliminating the activities that encourage smoking. Such decisions make the best way to quit smoking within a specific case, the chance to work the same way for another person is very low. The practice of self-hypnosis will help you during those time when the craving for a cigarette is greatest, you will relax and be far more positive. A prime reason for quitting is the risk of lung cancer or thrombosis or strokes, powerful reasons but not enough for many to kick the habit. Never believe those who say that there way is the only way to stop smoking, everyone is different and need different methods to help them stop, however it is well known that using a combination of the aids available gives you the best chances of success. Someone somewhere successfully stops smoking every 31 seconds, you are not alone in you effort just think of all the others who have decided to stop smoking today and join them.

Many smokers fear to search for the best way to stop smoking in their case because deep down inside, they don’t want to quit for a variety of reasons. There is no need to gain weight when you stop smoking, most people do so because they reach for a sweet substitute in your case reach for fruit it will raise your blood sugar better than nicotine. Mix with you non-smoking friends it is amazing how just being with them removes the need for a cigarette. Take one day at a time when you stop smoking, but as you feel better inside yourself each day becomes easier and easier and you feel motivated to carry on being a non-smoker. Goodbye to cigarettes and rooms of the blue fog of second-hand smoke. If you like searching the Internet for solution you can take a look over Stop Smoking in 17 Days or Less it might give you some valuable information.

The quit smoking cold turkey solution is very popular and though it has a bizarre name it the solution that very influential people adopt. The method is very straight, without any preparation just stop smoking, after this quit smoking cold turkey decision is taken what it matters is that the mind be stronger than the desire to smoke. The more enduring you are the bigger chance of success. The quit smoking cold turkey name refers to something done without preparation, just like a cold turkey, since with the quit smoking cold turkey method, there is no gradual dicrease in the level of nicotine. Studies showed that this solution works and helps many smokers determined enough to succeed.

The quit smoking cold turkey solution is the most popular quiting method because almost any smoker that tried to escape from addiction has turned to it. Though it is easy to try, the difficult part comes in terms of success, which is why many people appeal to drugs and other alternative methods that help them quit. To improve the success rate for the quit smoking cold turkey method the following guide lines must be respected. Understand that in the first days following the quit smoking cold turkey decision you will feel very irritated and tired, the good part is that after several days the severe irritability will pass. Drink a lot of water, this will help your body flush toxins. Take a chewing gum or candy whenever you fill the need for a cigarette, take a walk or do some exercises whenever you feel the craving. All this are small tips that can help you succeed in using the quit smoking cold turkey method.

Calling a friend when you feel like smoking is another suggestion that can help the quit smoking cold turkey method, if you don’t have a friend that can really help, you may attend some groups of ex-smokers, they will give you all the needed advice and will support you in overcoming all the encountered difficulties. The quit smoking cold turkey method is free and this is why so many try it, but the fact is that people associate this drastic solution with a superhuman determination and self control. Those who succeeded in quiting using the quit smoking cold turkey technique are powerful people that always succeed in what they set as a goal, for them failure isn’t an option.

 Don’t worry if you don’t successfully quit the first time, nicotine is highly addictive and you have been habitually smoking for most of you a long time, failure is just a learning step, get back on track you will do it.

There are many ways to stop smoking today, these methods vary significantly from classical anti–nicotine treatments to herbal alternatives and even to hypnosis solutions. Smoking involves two separate problems: the psychological and the physical nicotine addiction. Once you’ve understood this you have a higher chance to stop smoking today. One of the most popular solutions against smoking is the use of nicotine replacements like gum or patches. These products can be easily found in any drug store, and doctors also recommend to turn to counseling in order to stop smoking today. Nicotine replacing products have a moderate rate of success in a stop smoking today strategy so they are a good start. Another way to stop smoking today is replacing your cigarettes with other ones containing less nicotine, this first step is normally followed by reducing the number of cigarettes smoked a day.

Another method to stop smoking today is to identify the triggers, what it is that makes you smoke. Once you know what favors your smoking habit, measures can be taken. The stop smoking today decision can work very well when  you decided to quit smoking “Cold Turkey”. Also consider asking a non-smoker to help you like a family member or friend, they will give valuable support in your effort to stop smoking today. Another strategy to stop smoking today is that each time you feel like lighting a cigarette to think about the benefits of quitting and the health problems that smoking causes. Taking control over your live is not easy if you have an addiction, but trying is the best start. The most important thing is to redoubling efforts, never give up your plan and remember that it is only a matter of time until you finally escape from this deadly habit.

Finding the best method to stop smoking today comes sometimes naturally when there is enough positive determination. Many of those who stop smoking today, do it because of severe health problems. To eliminate nicotine cravings you’ll have to try as many remedies as possible until you succeed. Unfortunately most non-smokers think that trying to stop smoking today is just a problem of will power. Nicotine is very, very addictive and most people don’t understand what happens to a smoker when he or she tries to quit. A winning formula against smoking would contain anti–nicotine treatment, psychological counseling, educational information about the effects of smoking and a lot of positive thinking. So, stop smoking today!

Today, the stop smoking hypnotherapy has become a very convenient way for most smokers to leave their old habits behind. Although it has been quite a difficult task for most of the smokers, a quit smoking hypnotherapy has helped a lot in conditioning one’s mind to stop the harmful habit. Hypnotherapy works best if the person is eager enough to help himself stop the bad habits which he has so been used to doing everyday in his life.  Below is a list of ways that would make you understand how the hypnosis process works for smokers. It would also provide you of the risks and the medical implication of the therapy.

Quit Smoking Hypnotherapy – A Major Behavior Change

The quit smoking hypnotherapy allows to unfold ideas which are related to smoking. Hypnosis has always been believed to be a state of mind where suggestion can penetrate at its best. If the person is relaxed and is ultra alert, he becomes more eager to accept that he has problems which lead him to several changes such as quitting smoking. If all these factors are in a therapy, it would be a lot easier to help a person give up his old habits. Although hypnosis isn’t really a tested and proven cure to smoking, it has proven itself to be of tremendous help to those who suffer from smoking addiction problems.

Many people have already claimed that the quit smoking hypnotherapy has worked for them. It could probably work out the same way for you as it has worked for them. Trying this kind of behavior modification to quit smoking puts you at a lesser risk because the therapy involved is actually very safe and convenient to do. Unlike the other ways to help quit you smoking, hypnotherapy has proven to be not only the safest but the most cost effective way to help rid a smoker from his addiction state.

Quit Smoking Hypnotherapy – The Sessions

The quit smoking hypnotherapy is supposed to help smokers quit by utilizing the state of the mind. Suggestions under the state of hypnosis would tell a person that smoking cigarettes is an extremely bad habit for your health. Additionally, the therapist should instill in the smoker’s mind that the smoke emitted in lighting cigarettes has a very offensive smell so he or she can recognize that smoking is not an ideal habit to include in one’s lifestyle. This type of behavior modification is done for a very long time until the person himself is able to tell that smoking is not good for his own body. Until he admits that smoking is not a good choice, the quit smoking hypnotherapy would not successfully work.