Asthma Healing

• Likely prolong your life.
• Improve your health. Smoking increases your risk of lung cancer, throat cancer, a lung disease called emphysema, heart disease, high blood pressure, ulcers, gum disease and makes asthma worse.
• Feel healthier. Smoking can cause coughing, poor athletic ability, and sore throats. Look better. Smoking can cause face wrinkles, stained teeth, and dull skin.
• Improve your sense of taste and smell.
• Save money.

   

How Can I Quit Smoking?

•  Pick a date to stop smoking, and then prepare for it.
• Record when and why you smoke. You will come to know what triggers you to smoke.
• Record what you do when you smoke. Try smoking at different times and different places to break the connections between smoking and certain activities.
• List your reasons for quitting. Read over the list before and after you quit.
• Find activities to replace smoking. Be ready to do something else when you want to smoke.

• Ask your doctor about using nicotine gum and patches. Some people find these aids are very helpful. Also ask your doctor about a nicotine-free prescription medication, like Zyban, that can help you quit smoking.

•  Don't focus on what you are missing. Think about what you are gaining.
• Tell yourself you are a great person for quitting. Remind yourself of this when you want a smoke.
• When you get the urge to smoke, take a deep breath. Hold it for 10 seconds and then release it slowly.
• Keep your hands busy. Doodle, play a sport, knit, or work on a computer.
• Change activities that were connected to smoking. Take a walk or read a book instead of taking a cigarette break.
• Don't carry a lighter, matches or cigarettes.
• Go to places that don't allow smoking, such as museums and libraries.

• Eat low-calorie, healthful foods when the urge to smoke strikes. Carrot and celery sticks, fresh fruits, and fat-free snacks are good choices.

• Drink a lot of fluids. Cut down on alcohol and caffeine. They can make you want to smoke. Select water, herbal teas, caffeine-free soft drinks and juices.
• Exercise. Exercising will help you relax.
• Hang out with non-smokers. Seek support for quitting. Tell others about your milestones with pride.

•  Your blood pressure and pulse decrease

• The temperature of your hands and feet increases

After 8 hours of not smoking:

• The carbon monoxide level in your blood returns to normal

• Oxygen levels in your blood increase

• Your nerve endings adjust to the absence of nicotine

• Your ability to taste and smell begins to return

After 72 hours of not smoking:

• Bronchial tubes relax, which can help improve your asthma

• Your circulation improves

• Your exercise tolerance improves

After 1-9 months of not smoking:
• Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease

• Cilia in the lungs regrow, increasing the ability of the lungs to handle mucus, clean the lungs and reduce infection -- and improve your asthma

• Your overall energy level increases

• Your risk of dying from lung cancer drops to almost the same rate as a lifelong nonsmoker Your risk of other cancers, such as cancer of the mouth, larynx, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decreases

• Crave cigarettes.
• Feel very hungry.
• Cough often.
• Get headaches.
• Have difficulty concentrating.
• Have constipation.

• Feel very tired.

• Have a sore throat.
• Have difficulty sleeping.

   

•  Stage One: Pre-contemplation. You don't want to quit smoking, but you may try to quit because you feel pressured to quit.
• Stage Two: Contemplation. You want to quit someday. You haven't taken steps to quit, but you want to quit.
• Stage Three: Preparation. You take small steps to quit such as cutting back on smoking or switching to a lighter brand.
• Stage Four: Action. You commit to quitting. You make changes in your actions and environment to help cope with urges to smoke and remain smoke-free for six months.
• Stage Five: Maintenance. You have not smoked for one year.