STOP SMOKING NOW!

As we enter the New Year personal resolutions for the upcoming 12 months abound. Weight loss, better sleep habits, less alcohol consumption and improved personal fitness are all worthy goals and hopefully will be fulfilled by many.

But in my opinion, the worst personal habit that demands attention remains cigarette smoking. In fact, let’s call it what it really is – an addiction to the drug Nicotine. Cigarette smoking is unequivocally bad from the standpoint of heart and lung health. Here’s why.

Among the many scientifically proven unfavorable effects on the cardiovascular system, nicotine facilitates coronary artery vasoconstriction (spasm) and the buildup of cholesterol plaque on the coronary artery walls. Both of these occurrences decrease blood flow which can ultimately lead to heart muscle damage (heart attack).

Nicotine also has the same plaque buildup and spasm effect on all other arteries of the body. Plaque may narrow the carotid arteries in the neck and decrease blood flow to your brain which may cause a stroke. Similarly, arteries that deliver blood to your legs/feet may become narrowed and muscle cramping during walking (claudication) and gangrene of toes/feet may result.

The smoke, chemicals and tar inhaled from cigarette smoking is toxic to the lungs and destroys lung tissue. Smoking is directly related to the development of chronic bronchitis and emphysema both of which are variants of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Smoking cigarettes and cigars is a proven cause of lung cancer and oral cancer.

The ‘800 lb gorilla in the room’ may be the cost of cigarette smoking. Depending on the state where you live, the cost of a pack of cigarettes (2017 data) ranged from $5.25 (VA, MO) to $12.85 (NY). It breaks my heart to meet patients who with desperate circumstances choose purchasing cigarettes over getting their necessary diabetic medicine or blood pressure medication. In 2018, it is estimated that a pack-a-day smoker spends on average $2292 per year. The ‘ripple effect’ of nicotine addiction on personal finances can be staggering not to mention the previously mentioned devastating effect on health.

In 2019, I truly hope that patients with an addiction to nicotine can find a way to free themselves from their dependency. Breaking the addiction is certainly an enormous challenge and there are many paths to success. A combination of medical, psychological, peer support and spiritual motivation are all necessary components to success. For those of you that know someone struggling with a nicotine addiction encourage them to seek help to STOP SMOKING NOW! To those of you that smoke I urge you to seek help to STOP SMOKING NOW!

Happy New Year to all this 2019 filled with health and prosperity!

If you would like to read more information on how to quit smoking, please visit https://smokefree.gov