Various nicotine substitutes can help you cope with the withdrawal symptoms after giving up smoking
Eisha SarkarQuit you must but you can't let go of the puff. It's not the cigarette that worries you but what will become of you without it. That smoking is injurious to health is common knowledge. But it's the thought of withdrawal symptoms that makes quitting difficult.
Why is nicotine addictive?
Nicotine itself is non-toxic. It is only one of 4,000 chemicals in a cigarette, some of which cause disease.
As nicotine enters the body, it is distributed quickly through the bloodstream. It increases dopamine levels in the brain, bringing about feelings of pleasure and well-being. The effects wear off within minutes, so people must continue dosing themselves to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
The withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms begin as soon as four hours after the last cigarette, peak in intensity at three to five days, and disappear after two weeks. Symptoms include tingling sensation in hands and feet, sweating, cramps, nausea, headaches, respiratory discomfort, temper tantrums, cravings, insomnia, confusion, irritability, anxiety and/or depression.
Does NRT help?
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) provides nicotine without the other toxic components of tobacco. Nicotine substitutes treat the very difficult withdrawal symptoms. NRT works slowly, delivering less nicotine in the bloodstream compared to smoking.
Types of nicotine substitutes are:
Nicotine patch
Applied in the morning to a clean, dry area of the skin without much hair, the patch provides a measured dose of nicotine through the skin. As nicotine doses are lowered over a course of weeks:
Weeks 1-4: Full-strength patch (15-22 mg of nicotine) daily
Weeks 5-8: A weaker patch (5-14 mg of nicotine)
Side-effects: Mild skin irritations, dizziness, racing heartbeat, sleep problems, headache, nausea, vomiting, and muscle aches and stiffness can be alleviated by changing brands or reducing the amount of nicotine
Availability: Can be purchased without a prescription. Brands: Nicotinell Tts 17.5 mg, 35 mg, 52.5 mg
Nicotine gum
Nicotine polacrilex is absorbed through the mucous membrane of the mouth. Chew the gum slowly until you note a peppery taste. "Park" it against the cheek, chewing it and parking it off and on for 30 minutes. Avoid coffee, juices, and soft drinks for at least 15 minutes before and during gum use.
Heavy smokers may start with the higher dose, 4 mg gum with no more than 20 pieces in a day for one to three months.
Side-effects: Bad taste, throat irritation, mouth ulcers, hiccups, nausea, jaw discomfort and racing heartbeat. Stomach symptoms are usually caused by swallowing nicotine or chewing too rapidly.
Availability: Can be bought without prescription. Brands: Nicotex, Nicorette - Pharmacia & Upjohn Gum 2mg, NuLife Eucomint and NuLife Good Kha
Nicotine Lozenges
Small doses of nicotine are released and absorbed into the bloodstream through the lining of the mouth, from where it then travels quickly to the brain. Nicotine will continue to be absorbed even after the lozenge has dissolved. It’s particularly efficient with nicotine cravings. Smokers are advised to follow a 12-week schedule:
Weeks 1-6: One lozenge taken every one or two hours
Weeks 7-9: One lozenge every two to four hours
Weeks 10-12: One lozenge should be taken every four to eight hours. By this time the nicotine intake is so low that you should be ready to stop the treatment altogether
No more than 20 lozenges should be consumed in one day
Side-effects: Irritation of the teeth, gums and throat, indigestion, diarrhoea or constipation, flatulence, insomnia, hiccups, headache, and coughing may disappear with continuous use
Availability: Brands such as Commit are available at few pharmacies
Nicotine Nasal Spray
As nicotine is absorbed through the nose, it enters the bloodstream quickly, offering immediate relief for withdrawal symptoms.
Side-effects: Nasal irritation, throat irritation, and coughing. Check with your doctor if you have asthma, allergies, nasal polyps, or sinus problems
Availability: Only by prescription
Research suggests smokers using a patch and nicotine lozenge together are more likely to quit at seven days. NRT should not be used as the only method for helping the smoker but should be combined with those that address the psychological component of smoking.
Why is nicotine addictive?
Nicotine itself is non-toxic. It is only one of 4,000 chemicals in a cigarette, some of which cause disease.
As nicotine enters the body, it is distributed quickly through the bloodstream. It increases dopamine levels in the brain, bringing about feelings of pleasure and well-being. The effects wear off within minutes, so people must continue dosing themselves to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
The withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms begin as soon as four hours after the last cigarette, peak in intensity at three to five days, and disappear after two weeks. Symptoms include tingling sensation in hands and feet, sweating, cramps, nausea, headaches, respiratory discomfort, temper tantrums, cravings, insomnia, confusion, irritability, anxiety and/or depression.
Does NRT help?
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) provides nicotine without the other toxic components of tobacco. Nicotine substitutes treat the very difficult withdrawal symptoms. NRT works slowly, delivering less nicotine in the bloodstream compared to smoking.
Types of nicotine substitutes are:
Nicotine patch
Applied in the morning to a clean, dry area of the skin without much hair, the patch provides a measured dose of nicotine through the skin. As nicotine doses are lowered over a course of weeks:
Weeks 1-4: Full-strength patch (15-22 mg of nicotine) daily
Weeks 5-8: A weaker patch (5-14 mg of nicotine)
Side-effects: Mild skin irritations, dizziness, racing heartbeat, sleep problems, headache, nausea, vomiting, and muscle aches and stiffness can be alleviated by changing brands or reducing the amount of nicotine
Availability: Can be purchased without a prescription. Brands: Nicotinell Tts 17.5 mg, 35 mg, 52.5 mg
Nicotine gum
Nicotine polacrilex is absorbed through the mucous membrane of the mouth. Chew the gum slowly until you note a peppery taste. "Park" it against the cheek, chewing it and parking it off and on for 30 minutes. Avoid coffee, juices, and soft drinks for at least 15 minutes before and during gum use.
Heavy smokers may start with the higher dose, 4 mg gum with no more than 20 pieces in a day for one to three months.
Side-effects: Bad taste, throat irritation, mouth ulcers, hiccups, nausea, jaw discomfort and racing heartbeat. Stomach symptoms are usually caused by swallowing nicotine or chewing too rapidly.
Availability: Can be bought without prescription. Brands: Nicotex, Nicorette - Pharmacia & Upjohn Gum 2mg, NuLife Eucomint and NuLife Good Kha
Nicotine Lozenges
Small doses of nicotine are released and absorbed into the bloodstream through the lining of the mouth, from where it then travels quickly to the brain. Nicotine will continue to be absorbed even after the lozenge has dissolved. It’s particularly efficient with nicotine cravings. Smokers are advised to follow a 12-week schedule:
Weeks 1-6: One lozenge taken every one or two hours
Weeks 7-9: One lozenge every two to four hours
Weeks 10-12: One lozenge should be taken every four to eight hours. By this time the nicotine intake is so low that you should be ready to stop the treatment altogether
No more than 20 lozenges should be consumed in one day
Side-effects: Irritation of the teeth, gums and throat, indigestion, diarrhoea or constipation, flatulence, insomnia, hiccups, headache, and coughing may disappear with continuous use
Availability: Brands such as Commit are available at few pharmacies
Nicotine Nasal Spray
As nicotine is absorbed through the nose, it enters the bloodstream quickly, offering immediate relief for withdrawal symptoms.
Side-effects: Nasal irritation, throat irritation, and coughing. Check with your doctor if you have asthma, allergies, nasal polyps, or sinus problems
Availability: Only by prescription
Research suggests smokers using a patch and nicotine lozenge together are more likely to quit at seven days. NRT should not be used as the only method for helping the smoker but should be combined with those that address the psychological component of smoking.
NRT should NOT be used if you plan to continue to smoke or use other tobacco products and should be avoided by pregnant women.
No comments:
Post a Comment