Showing posts with label Treatments. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Treatments. Show all posts

9/18/2013

The New Generation of Stop Smoking Drugs



There are a number of drugs specifically designed to help you quit smoking. These differ from nicotine replacement therapy as they don't use nicotine to wean you of the deadly smoking habit. Varenicline tartrate is one of these new drugs, or as it more commonly known, Champix. As all smokers know, the problem with quitting is that very soon after the last cigarette nicotine cravings start to kick in. As the statistics show, most people who stop smoking can't resist and resume their habit, once again.



Champix and Nicotine Cravings



Champix, and similar drugs, help to reduce nicotine cravings. They act by blocking receptors in the brain that would normally bind to nicotine. When you smoke, nicotine interacts with these receptors which then release dopamine. And it is dopamine that gives the smoker the pleasurable feeling associated with their habit. But the pleasure is short lived and the smoker is doomed to repeat the smoking cycle in order to renew their nicotine levels. Champix is administered in pill form and is usually taken over a 12 week period, although the duration of the treatment can be extended, if necessary. During the initial period of the treatment you can smoke, although nicotine doesn't exercise its usual pleasurable influence. Therefore, the drug has a dual therapeutic affect as it reduces nicotine cravings and smoking pleasure at the same time. After clinical trials, Champix became available in the United States as a smoking cessation aid in September 2006, soon after it was approved for use in the European Union.



How Effective is Champix



Does it work? Well yes, in double blind trials it has been found that smokers using Champix have a four fold chance of staying long term smoke free compared with smokers taking a placebo. This sounds impressive until you realise that this translates to about a 20% quit rate. It is certainly an improvement over quitting cold turkey as only 5% of individuals quitting by this means ultimately succeed. Quitting smoking is extremely hard and the poor success rates emphasise the enormity of nicotine addiction. Because tobacco is legal, people often under estimate nicotine's addictive properties. Addiction experts however, are under no illusions about nicotine's addictive powers and rank it as the top addictive drug, ranking higher even than heroin and morphine.



Possible Side Effects



Champix is only available by prescription and smokers will need to be assessed by a medical professional. It is not recommended for smokers under 18 years of age or for pregnant women. As with any drug, you need to be aware of possible effects and your doctor will explain these in detail when you are assessed to see whether the drug is a suitable quit smoking treatment for you. One common side effect encountered by users is nausea. Less common effects include headaches and difficulty sleeping.The drug has been associated with suicidal behaviour, although admittedly this side effect is considered rare. However, there are some doubts whether this is a genuine side effect of the drug or whether it reflects the action of nicotine withdrawal itself. In addition, there is a small, but demonstratible risk of cardiovascular problems.



Champix is no wonder drug, but it has been proven as an effective quit smoking treatment. As with all smoking cessation aids or products, Champix works best as part of a structured stop smoking program. It is not a replacement for will power and determination is still required for ultimate success.
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8/02/2013

Laser treatment for smoking cessation may sound like an odd approach since lasers are used more for surgeries and cosmetic procedures in mainstream medicine. More common techniques to stop smoking are hypnotherapy, nicotine replacement patches or gum, and acupuncture. Now beams of light are also used in clinics to help smokers finally quit this unhealthy habit.



This new method is used in a similar manner to acupuncture, where different points on the body are stimulated to release endorphins. Theoretically, the endorphins help to alleviate a person's craving for nicotine. Practitioners use a "cool beam" laser, so the patient does not feel any pain. Like acupuncture, the light treatments may require more than a single session to be completely effective. The beams are not invasive and they do not involve drugs or other chemicals. There are no negative side effects to this new method as long as the technician uses proper procedures. A downside to consider is the higher cost of this method compared to traditional ones. One must also note that like any of the other therapies mentioned, there is no guarantee of success. However, for those who have tried the other techniques and were not successful, lasers just may be worth a go.



There are many varying professional opinions online about laser treatment for smoking cessation. Some claim it is not effective and a waste of money, while others cite large success rates for this treatment. In the end, it does provide another viable and safe option to people who struggle to stop smoking for good.
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8/01/2013

Tried over and over to stop smoking? Thinking of giving up? Let me just say, don't give up until you've had a close look at Laser Stop Smoking Treatments.



If you've tried multiple times to quit and just can't seem to stay on the wagon, remember this: nicotine is a seriously addictive substance and smoking can be considered substance abuse.



Face it: you are addicted. Coming to terms with this addiction is the first step towards beating it once and for all.



The new stop smoking laser treatments maybe right for you. This therapy is actually quite simple and highly successful method as a long term solution to stopping smoking. It's is especially good for those who would like to get the benefits of acupuncture but simply don't have the stomach for it. This is because laser therapy is actually based on the same principle as acupuncture. In the olden days, needles were used to stimulate certain nerve endings in the body for overall health benefits and to invigorate blood flow in particular body parts.



Acupuncture is well known in its health benefits and its use in therapy to quit smoking. But if you are squeamish, you'll be glad to know that scientists have researched and perfected the art and brought it into the twenty-first century by creating stop smoking laser treatments.



Low intensity lasers stimulate the nerve endings just as the needles would, and encourage the release of hormones known as endorphins that promote a feeling of health and happiness. The best part is that it is completely painless. In fact, some people have even described it as a pleasurable experience



The cravings and symptoms of melancholy are replaced by a general feeling of wellbeing and it becomes easier to deal with the process of giving up smoking. The therapy is totally non-medical so you need not fear taking medication.



The cost is quite moderate, estimated to be around $500 for the whole procedure, depending on where you choose to go for the treatment. Compare this to the cost of tobacco products and to the cost of treatment of the short- and long-term illnesses caused by smoking, and you'll find it looks far more reasonable.



While stop smoking laser therapy is non-medical in nature, it is best avoided if you are pregnant, nursing, or suffer from cancer. Also remember that while the treatment may work for your body, your mind will need to be controlled with the best of your will power. A lot of the trouble with smoking is its psychosomatic impact, meaning that you are the one person responsible for the success or failure of any therapy. While the laser treatment can detoxify your body and reduce cravings, only you can make it work.
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7/25/2013

Is it time to quit?



These days we are all acutely aware of the damage smoking does to our health. Millions of pounds have been spent by Governments on anti-smoking campaigns and in recent years a number of countries and cities have become smoke free in public places. However, as hard as it is for us to imagine now, people smoked for centuries without realising the damage it was doing to their health, and it was only in the 1950s that medical research into the harmful effects of smoking began to sound warning bells. In 1964 the US Surgeon General finally reported that smoking caused lung cancer and the anti-smoking campaign began in earnest.



Making that big decision



For most smokers, going cold turkey simply will not work. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance, as addictive as cocaine or heroin according to some research, and the majority of smokers will need some kind of help weaning themselves off it. Nicotine replacement therapy is based on the principle of replacing 'dangerous' nicotine consumption with a 'cleaner' safer way of delivering the nicotine to smokers. It is not the nicotine itself that causes the most damage, rather the tar and other chemicals that are found in cigarettes, so this kind of treatment is seen as the best way for smokers to kick their habit.



Over the years a number of nicotine replacement products have come on the market, and researchers are continuing to look for new ways of helping people quit. Smoking is a physical and a psychological addiction, so if you are someone who associates smoking with socialising, certain times of the day, for example smoke breaks at work, or certain people, then you will find it harder to quit than someone whose addiction is more of a physical one.



It may take several attempts before you finally quit but the benefits are certainly worth the effort. Your breathing and general fitness will begin to improve almost instantly, the risk of heart attacks and cancer will greatly be reduced, food will taste better, fertility levels will be improved, and if you have children they will be far less likely to start smoking once you have quit.



Treatments available



The type of smoker you are and the amount you smoked will determine the type of treatment that works for you. Here is a brief introduction to some of the main treatments available today.



Nicotine patches



Nicotine patches stick to your body in the same way a plaster does and release nicotine slowly into your bloodstream throughout the day, helping to relieve your cravings. They can be worn all the time or you can take them off when you go to bed at night, depending on how bad your cravings are when you wake up in the morning. If the first thing you do when you wake up is light up a cigarette, it might be better for you to wear the 24 hour patches initially.



Stick new patches to a different part of your skin to avoid irritation and change it at the same time every day. If you smoked more than ten cigarettes a day then you should start on a high strength 15mg patch. If you've managed to stay smoke free for eight weeks then you can switch to a lower dose until you've been smoke free for twelve weeks. At this point you will no longer be physically addicted to nicotine, and you'll be on your way to being an ex smoker.



Nicotine gum



With gum, nicotine is released by the chewing action and is absorbed by your body when mixed with the saliva in your mouth. Unlike patches that release the nicotine gradually, gum releases a quick hit when you need it, and helps relieve sharp cravings. If you were someone who smoked in times of stress this might be a good option for you as many people find the chewing action also helps reduce stress levels. When you feel the need, chew a piece of gum until you feel a tingly sensation in your mouth (this is the nicotine being released) then stop and leave the gum resting between your gums and your cheek. Start chewing again when the tingly sensation fades and repeat this process until there is no more tingling. You'll probably need to chew one every hour or two initially, which you should aim to reduce to one every two to four hours. Take care not to chew too often or too quickly as you may start to feel dizzy, lightheaded or nauseous.



Inhalators



Inhalators contain nicotine cartridges which deliver nicotine to your bloodstream when you suck air through them. They are the same shape and size as a cigarette and are a good option for anyone who misses the familiar feel of holding a cigarette. As with other NRT products, you'll need to gradually reduce the dose and the amount of times you use the inhalator in a day. To begin with you'll probably go through between six and twelve a day but you should try and reduce this over an eight week period of using them, until your body is no longer addicted to nicotine.



No two people will have the same experience when quitting and what works for one person won't necessarily work for another. It's a good idea to have a chat with your GP or pharmacist about your particular smoking habits as they will offer advice and help you decide what option is best for you. Whatever product you choose, remember to use it as prescribed, hang in there when the going gets tough and just think how much better you'll feel when you're finally smoke free.
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7/22/2013

Have you been looking for an easier way to stop smoking and can't find a solution. You have tried all of the treatment, you may have even worn the patch, chewed the gum and done every thing imaginable, and however nothing can take away from the nagging cravings for a smoke. However, the good new is that there is an easier way. It is called Laser treatments. Smoking is a really bad habit. It is one of the habits which are considered to be a part of fashion today. Although it is a part of being fashionable today, still it is not a healthy habit. It is a habit that can very easily destroy your health. Keeping this in mind, it is important that you pay attention towards getting rid of this habit without suffering from the side effects of this problem. Thus the best way of quitting smoking will be to do it through the ways which will make you get rid of this habit in a healthy way. In this way you will be able to avoid the side effects. Laser technology can help you a lot in this regard.



Laser treatment is a process of using a pulsating light to penetrate the points that are identified as acupuncture points, it is then absorbed into your skin and the cells until it stimulates the endorphins, and eases the cravings associated with smoking.



Laser treatment is done by trained and usually certified laser specialists. They will give you a consultation to find out what are they physical and psychological reasons why you are addicted to smoking. In fact to help you stay out of the addiction, the therapist may prescribe aftercare. You will usually only have to have just the one treatment but incase you have problems your therapist may suggest other ways to keep you smoke free. Treatment is a very short process, as it usually only takes about thirty minutes.



The laser will be applied to certain areas of your body such as your wrists, your hands and your arms. During the treatment you will not feel any pain usually people just feel relaxed and the cravings will be gone, you will not need the nicotine. The method is completely safe and 100% all natural, so you won't have to worry about it interfering with any medication you are currently taking. Doctors in Europe are saying that this procedure has a 90% success rate.



So if you are looking for an easy way to get rid of your smoking problem the best thing to do is to have laser treatment and never smoke again. This will ensure a healthy and long life for you. Smoking is not a healthy habit, and people should try to quit it.
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7/17/2013

If you are a smoker, and no matter what you try you seem unable to quit, maybe you should try acupuncture. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese form of treatment, which uses small needles to affect pressure points under the skin, and can help to treat or relieve certain illnesses and disorders. It is believed that certain pressure points can be used to reduce cravings, and thereby help you to quit smoking, saving you money, and protecting your health at the same time.



How Can Acupuncture Help You Stop Smoking?



Acupuncture works by inserting thin needles in the skin over certain pressure points, stimulating blood flow to certain organs, including the lungs, the airways, and the mouth. Smokers who have acupuncture treatment usually find that they feel a reduced urge to smoke, and some tests have found that cigarette related chemicals in the bloodstream of such smokers are greatly reduced after acupuncture treatment.



There are more and more acupuncture clinics opening up each year, and you should be able to find a qualified practitioner in a city near you. When you go for your first consultation, the acupuncturist will probably ask you about your smoking habit, including how long you have smoked and why you wish to quit. They may also want to know if you are using any other stop smoking aids, and may recommend that you cease taking and nicotine replacement products, such as stop smoking patches, or gum, as they could negatively affect the results of the acupuncture treatment.



Quality Comes First



Make sure that any acupuncture clinic you go to is a recognized one, and that your acupuncturist is qualified. In general, acupuncture is safe, but it is important that the practitioner knows what they are doing, and that a certain standard of hygiene is adhered to. Ask your doctor for recommendations if you are unsure.



If you have already tried patches, gum, hypnotherapy, and other stop smoking techniques, and found that they do not work for you, acupuncture could well be worth it. Do not believe that your inability to quit smoking means anything negative about your willpower. Smoking addiction is physical, not just psychological, and it is a very difficult habit to break. Acupuncture could well help you get rid of the habit for good, which will be beneficial to your health, self esteem, and general feeling of wellbeing, as well as a great benefit to your finances too.
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7/10/2013

With the push today to get everybody to quit smoking, today a smoker can choose a wide range of stop smoking treatments of his own personal choice. With different choices of a stop smoking treatment coming out all the time, if one doesn't work for you then another one may - or you can choose several types of treatment to work together.



But the best stop smoking treatment will be your own determination and will to want to quit - if you don't want to, then the entire stop smoking aids together will not work. Once you decide to quit, and chose the date you are throwing away your last cigarette, the option you choose as a treatment is the one you are the most comfortable with: inhalers, patches, injections, pills, pills, or cold turkey. This can be natural or traditional medicine - with everything being a matter of personal preference or medical concerns.



The cold turkey method has an advantage over all other treatments, as the nicotine will be out of your system in just a few days. But the largest disadvantage is the withdrawals will be extremely intense and painful. But what happens is the body demands its maximum amount of nicotine that it has had over the years. Long-term heavy smokers use this method over all the others - about 90% of smokers will suffer through these first 72 hours to two weeks of exhausting and hard cold-turkey from nicotine to make the body 100% nicotine clean and chemical withdrawn.



And as you read this, you think of pain and suffering instead of a short period of withdrawal but of the 90% of smokers who use it, they have a larger chance of success than with the other stop smoking treatments. The body recognizes there will be no nicotine offered and the pain and withdrawal stress will disappear, as compared to a slow and easy treatment. The body knows it will eventually be getting some amount of nicotine, creating some form of chronic state of drug withdrawal. It is a matter of choice - two weeks compared to life.



If cold turkey doesn't appeal to you, try one of the other popular stop smoking treatment for nicotine replacement therapy. It gives the smokers a wide range of products to choose from with each product releasing a small amount of nicotine into the body, negating the urge to smoke. Some of the nicotine products that have been developed to kill the smoking urge are: the nicotine inhaler, nicotine gum and the nicotine patch. Or the smoker can use a pill like Zyban to stop smoking.



Zyban prods the pituitary gland to release endorphins in the bloodstream, which, in turn, cause a positive upswing in the smoker's mood. Generally, a Zyban course lasts 8 to 12 weeks and should be taken under medical supervision.



A few other unique methods is to quit naturally, using the time-tested Asian therapy of acupressure. In this therapy, silver needles are used to release energy inside the body while creating a sense of well being, assisting the smoker to combat withdrawal symptoms. Another way to combat withdrawal symptoms is to take laser treatment. The low intensity laser beam stimulates the release of endorphins, and kills the urge to smoke. Some smokers also use herbal cigarettes to give up the habit.



Besides this, the smokers can take the help of clinics or self-help groups that provide advice and guidance. Such clinics provide counseling to individuals who want to give up smoking. They conduct mind exercises to improve an individual's will power and the desire to return to smoking. Hypnosis is yet another method that can be used to give up smoking.



Considerable self-discipline is needed for any of these treatments to work. More often than not, smokers give up smoking for a few days or a few weeks and then pick up the habit again. They need the support of family members and close friends during this troublesome period. To quit smoking and recover from the nicotine addiction is a period of readjustment of the mind and body. Over time, the body and mind combination heals itself and breaks free of the addiction, teaching itself to function without cigarettes or any form of tobacco on a dependency level.



The same way different people smoke and are addicted differently, they will also quit and recover in the same ways. Some can quit and walk away with no symptoms or problems, while others double over with pure intense physical pain with multiple symptoms. This is why there are so many different stop smoking treatments for assorted types of smokers. Know yourself and what works the best and the most efficient way
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3/09/2013

The New Generation of Stop Smoking Drugs



There are a number of drugs specifically designed to help you quit smoking. These differ from nicotine replacement therapy as they don't use nicotine to wean you of the deadly smoking habit. Varenicline tartrate is one of these new drugs, or as it more commonly known, Champix. As all smokers know, the problem with quitting is that very soon after the last cigarette nicotine cravings start to kick in. As the statistics show, most people who stop smoking can't resist and resume their habit, once again.



Champix and Nicotine Cravings



Champix, and similar drugs, help to reduce nicotine cravings. They act by blocking receptors in the brain that would normally bind to nicotine. When you smoke, nicotine interacts with these receptors which then release dopamine. And it is dopamine that gives the smoker the pleasurable feeling associated with their habit. But the pleasure is short lived and the smoker is doomed to repeat the smoking cycle in order to renew their nicotine levels. Champix is administered in pill form and is usually taken over a 12 week period, although the duration of the treatment can be extended, if necessary. During the initial period of the treatment you can smoke, although nicotine doesn't exercise its usual pleasurable influence. Therefore, the drug has a dual therapeutic affect as it reduces nicotine cravings and smoking pleasure at the same time. After clinical trials, Champix became available in the United States as a smoking cessation aid in September 2006, soon after it was approved for use in the European Union.



How Effective is Champix



Does it work? Well yes, in double blind trials it has been found that smokers using Champix have a four fold chance of staying long term smoke free compared with smokers taking a placebo. This sounds impressive until you realise that this translates to about a 20% quit rate. It is certainly an improvement over quitting cold turkey as only 5% of individuals quitting by this means ultimately succeed. Quitting smoking is extremely hard and the poor success rates emphasise the enormity of nicotine addiction. Because tobacco is legal, people often under estimate nicotine's addictive properties. Addiction experts however, are under no illusions about nicotine's addictive powers and rank it as the top addictive drug, ranking higher even than heroin and morphine.



Possible Side Effects



Champix is only available by prescription and smokers will need to be assessed by a medical professional. It is not recommended for smokers under 18 years of age or for pregnant women. As with any drug, you need to be aware of possible effects and your doctor will explain these in detail when you are assessed to see whether the drug is a suitable quit smoking treatment for you. One common side effect encountered by users is nausea. Less common effects include headaches and difficulty sleeping.The drug has been associated with suicidal behaviour, although admittedly this side effect is considered rare. However, there are some doubts whether this is a genuine side effect of the drug or whether it reflects the action of nicotine withdrawal itself. In addition, there is a small, but demonstratible risk of cardiovascular problems.



Champix is no wonder drug, but it has been proven as an effective quit smoking treatment. As with all smoking cessation aids or products, Champix works best as part of a structured stop smoking program. It is not a replacement for will power and determination is still required for ultimate success.
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2/18/2013

There are generally four main kinds of rosacea. The first kind is Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea. This type causes people to look as if they are blushing. It can happen easily and very often. It looks like the face is flushed with color or blood. Small blood vessels can also be seen below the skin surface. A person may also have burning or uncomfortable itching feelings in the area, usually the face.



The second type is Phymatous rosacea and causes the nose to become larger through the skin becoming thicker and redder. This can also happen to the chin. The third type is Ocular and affects the eyes and eyelids. The eyes may become gritty and red. The fourth type is Papulopustular rosacea and is most commonly confused with acne. This type of the condition develops red bumps, sometimes called papules, on the skin. Sometimes these contain pus and are called pustules. This type of rosacea occurs when the condition is in a severe affliction stage. This may occur at the same time as any other stage mentioned above, but as said, it usually depicts a more advanced stage of rosacea. The way it can be distinguished from acne is if it is a chronic condition, building from the blushing and flushing stage to the point where burning and tingling sensations are happening in the face and other symptoms are present.



Treatment can vary, but many things used to treat wrinkles are things that progress rosacea. These include using microdermabrasion, skin peels, chemical masks, and harsh products. The best treatment is to slow down the progress of the condition. This includes wearing sunscreen everyday, limiting the amount of time in the sun, not drinking caffeinated hot drinks, and knowing what triggers can cause an outbreak. Keeping a journal about what activities and what foods were eaten can improve a person's life with rosacea. This way they can know what causes episodes over and over and prevent them in the future, slowing down roasacea. Also, before using anything on the afflicted area or face, make sue to read the ingredients and test a small patch of skin before slathering it all over one's skin.
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11/11/2012

The thought of quitting smoking has crossed your mind, but are hesitant because of the chemical ingredients used in products to quit smoking? Fortunately, nowadays there are a lot of natural stop smoking products that exist that can help you kick the habit.



Here are some of the most common natural stop smoking aids:



Cold Turkey



This is probably the most well-known natural stop smoking method for its simplicity. There's no delay with this method. Stay on your own with no help. It is certainly effective, but many people have a hard time seeing it.



Some people take a more gradual approach to quit smoking cold Turkey. Cannot use any additional aid, but only slowly wean themselves off cigarettes, instead of quitting all at once.



Herbal supplements



Unfortunately, there is no definitive proof from any of the many studies that have done to confirm the herbal supplements to be a natural stop smoking treatment effective. You will find that people's experiences vary greatly when using the herbal supplements to help you quit smoking. A person can be extremely effective, while the other was quite the opposite type of experience.



Some types of herbs are actually similar to cigarettes smoked. The advantage of this is that you can break the habit slowly due to their lack of nicotine. However, it is important to try to break the smoking habit altogether as soon as possible, because inhaling smoke is not good for your lungs.



A concern with using herbal supplements as an instrument of natural stop smoking is that they are not always regulated properly. It is always important to ensure that the manufacturer of the herbal supplement is a reputable company.



Quit Smoking alternative treatments



A lot of people have success using alternative treatments natural quit smoking how to hypnosis, acupuncture and acupressure. It is important to note that people who have more success with these types of treatments are people using them believing wholeheartedly that work. If you're a bit reluctant or not completely convinced that an alternative treatment will work for you, chances are slim that it will.



These natural treatments to quit smoking are better than traditional stop smoking aids?



Not surprisingly, this is a difficult question to answer. Manufacturers of all kinds of natural stop smoking product are going to try to convince you that your way is the best.



When it's all said and done, you have to be to decide what type of smoking cessation treatment works best for you. Everyone can be effective, that it's just a matter of finding what may be more effective to help quit smoking.
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