We all know that smoking is bad for your health. Did you know, according for the Center for Disease Control (CDC), that “in 2019, nearly 14 of every 100 U.S. adults aged 18 years or older (14.0%) currently smoked cigarettes. This means an estimated 34.1 million adults in the United States currently smoke cigarettes. More than 16 million Americans live with a smoking-related disease”.
Cigarette smoking has the potential to harm almost every organ in your body, so it is important to know how smoking impacts you and you have it in yourself to quit.
Smoking Health Risks
Smokers have a higher risk to develop heart disease, cardiovascular disease, stroke and lung cancer over nonsmokers. Smokers get addicted to a chemical called nicotine, which is a stimulant drug found in tobacco. When people develop a smoking habit, the brain begins to crave nicotine to make your body feel good. After more and more time passes, your tolerance builds up and you begin to smoke more and more each day. With all of these health risks, cigarette smoking causes almost one in five deaths in the United States.
These statistics might sound grim, but quitting is the best and hardest option for smokers. You have the ability to quit and the journey is worth it.
Quitting
Regardless of the many different options out there to help you stop smoking, each decision requires a plan. A quit plan will identify the short and long-term challenges to stop smoking; accountability is a huge factor in this quit plan. An article published by Help Guide provided an acronym called START to help smokers create this quit plan.
S = Set a quit date
“Choose a date within the next two weeks, so you have enough time to prepare without losing your motivation to quit. If you mainly smoke at work, quit on the weekend, so you have a few days to adjust to the change.”
T = Tell family, friends, and co-workers that you plan to quit
“Let your friends and family in on your plan to quit smoking and tell them you need their support and encouragement to stop. Look for a quid buddy who wants to stop smoking as well. You can help each other to get through the rough times.”
A = Anticipate and lancer the challenges you’ll face while quitting
Most people who begin smoking again do so within the first three months. You can help yourself make it through by preparing ahead for common challenges, such as nicotine withdrawal and cigarette cravings.”
R = Remove cigarettes and other tobacco products from your home, car, and work
“Throw away all of your cigarettes, lighters, ashtrays, and matches.Wash your clothes and freshen up anything that smells like smoke. Shampoo your car, clean your drapes and carpet, and steam your furniture.”
T = Talk to your doctor about getting help to quit
“Your doctor can prescribe medication to help with withdrawal symptoms. If you can’t see a doctor, you can get many products over the counter at your local pharmacy, including nicotine patches, lozenges, and gum.”
How Can Cross Valley Health & Medicine Help
Cross Valley Health & Medicine is a primary care practice located in Newburgh NY, allowing for both virtual and in-person appointments. The practice has two medical providers on staff, Doctor Paul Saladino who is dual board-certified in Addiction Medicine and Internal Medicine and a Christian Plaza who is a family nurse practitioner. Both practitioners are eager to see new patients for the following programs: Addiction Medicine, Behavioral Health Management, HIV/AIDS Care Management, Internal Medicine, Medical Marijuana Certifications, Medication-Assisted Treatment, STD/STI Care Management, and Weight Loss Management. If you are interested in becoming a patient of Cross Valley, please click here to access our online paperwork portal. Visit us online at www.crossvalleyhealth.com or give our office a call at 845-561-7075.