Cigarette smoking
kills approximately 5 million people worldwide each year and is currently raising.
Smoking is set to kill roughly 8.3 million people in the year 2030!
Nicotine is
the addictive quality in tobacco that causes people to reach for another cigarette.
When you inhale tobacco smoke, the nicotine in the smoke moves quickly from
your lungs into your bloodstream. Nicotine
replacement therapy (NRT) helps reduce nicotine withdrawal and craving by supplying your body with nicotine. It contains
about one-third to one-half the amount of nicotine found in most cigarettes.
People
become dependent on the nicotine in cigarettes because it increases the levels
of certain chemicals, such as dopamine and norepinephrine, in their brains.
When people quit smoking,
the levels of those chemicals drop, and their bodies react by having nicotine
withdrawal symptoms such as grouchiness and hunger. Nicotine from medicines increases the levels of
dopamine and norepinephrine just like nicotine from cigarettes does. Chemical
levels in the brain are kept level so withdrawal symptoms are
reduced.
Nicotine
replacement therapy is safe when used properly. Nicotine by itself is not
nearly as harmful as smoking.
Tars, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde,
ammonia and other toxic chemicals in tobacco cause harmful effects, not the
nicotine. NRT doubles
the chances of successful quitting compared to not using any aid (cold turkey).
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Nicotine Patch
A nicotine patch can be used overnight (24 hours) or removed before going to bed for day use only (16 hours).
The patch is placed on the skin releasing a steady stream of nicotine into the bloodstream.
The patch is beneficial for those people who have early morning cravings.
Nicotine patches come in 3 doses: 7mg, 14mg, and 21mg. The starting dosage for a person vaires depending on their smoking history.
The patch can be used alone or in combination with the nicotine inhaler or nicotine chewing gum.
How to use the patch:
• Apply to clean dry area
• Rotate site every day
• Remove old patch before applying new one
• Do not use lotion, moisturizing soap on the area the patch is to be applied
• May need to clean area with alcohol wipe
• Touch only small corner of adhesive
• Rub patch after application – ensure all corners are stuck
• Wash hands in water after application –don’t use soap
• Discard old patch out of reach of children, animals – can still be harmful
• Rotate site every day
• Remove old patch before applying new one
• Do not use lotion, moisturizing soap on the area the patch is to be applied
• May need to clean area with alcohol wipe
• Touch only small corner of adhesive
• Rub patch after application – ensure all corners are stuck
• Wash hands in water after application –don’t use soap
• Discard old patch out of reach of children, animals – can still be harmful
Possible Side Effects:
Skin irritations may result at the site of the patch; it is important to rotate the site daily to avoid this.
Skin irritations may result at the site of the patch; it is important to rotate the site daily to avoid this.
The patch
may cause sleep disturbances or vivid dreams when worn overnight. If this occurs,
stop using patch overnight and try managing night time cravings with the
nicotine inhaler, or gum.
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Nicotine Inhaler
Nicotine inhalers are thin plastic canisters resembling cigarettes into which nicotine cartridges are inserted.
Inhalers provide the "hand to mouth" action similar to smoking cigarettes.
The inhaler can be used alone in combination with the patch or gum.
How to use the inhaler:
The inhaler is meant to be “puffed” similar to a cigar and not inhaled deeply
into the lungs.
The inhaler
can be used up to 20 minutes continuously or as needed.
Possible Side effects:
When using the inhaler, the person may notice a burning, warm or cool sensation. This is not dangerous.
When using the inhaler, the person may notice a burning, warm or cool sensation. This is not dangerous.
Throat or
mouth irritations are possible.
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Nicotine Gum
Nicotine Gum comes in 2 doses: 2 mg or 4mg.
Nicotine is absorbed via buccal mucosa and is absorbed into the bloodstream faster than the patch.
The gum can be used alone or in combination with the inhaler or patch to respond to immediate urges, similar to breakthrough pain medication.
Not recommended for those with dentures or throat, mouth, or jaw dysfunctions.
“Chew and Park” method:
• Bite the gum a few times slowly
• Then park it between your cheeks and gum
• Wait a minute while the nicotine is released
• Repeat bite
• Bite the gum a few times slowly
• Then park it between your cheeks and gum
• Wait a minute while the nicotine is released
• Repeat bite
Possible side effects:
If chewed improperly stomach upset/aches and hiccups can result.
If chewed improperly stomach upset/aches and hiccups can result.
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Nicotine Withdrawal
Nicotine Withdrawal
Typically
nicotine withdrawal can occur within a few hours of abstinence from nicotine,
peak within a few days, and can last up to six months or longer. It is
important to be able to identify nicotine withdrawal.
Immediate Onset
• Cravings to smoke
• Frustration
• Anger
• Anxiety
• Difficulty concentrating
• Restlessness
• Cravings to smoke
• Frustration
• Anger
• Anxiety
• Difficulty concentrating
• Restlessness
Later Onset (These symptoms tend to
be more mild than immediate onset but can also last up to six months or longer)
• Nausea
• Diarrhea/constipation
• Shakiness
• Dizziness
• Appetite changes
• Fatigue
• Sleep disturbances
• Headaches
• Clumsiness
• Nausea
• Diarrhea/constipation
• Shakiness
• Dizziness
• Appetite changes
• Fatigue
• Sleep disturbances
• Headaches
• Clumsiness
Myth: Smoking
while on the patch increases the risk of a heart attack.
Fact: Use
of NRT while smoking does not increase the smoker’s cardiovascular risk
References
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