Quiting smoking - facts, ways to start, risks involved

Some people say that if one will quite smoking before 30 the body can fully recover afterwards, others say that it is impossible to quit, but what are the facts? I have summarized some medical facts presented by medicians from NorthPoint Domain... among them: basic facts, how to start, nicotine replacements.

Basic facts about smoking:
Smokers can greatly improve their health and prevent illness and disease by quitting smoking at any age. More than 5 methods have been proven to help smokers quit. Quitting may require a combination of methods.

Getting started:
Quitting requires planning. The first and most important step that a person can take to quit smoking is to decide to stop. The person should also set a deadline to quit smoking. Finally, he or she should contact his or her physician to get support and recommendations for quitting programs.
Before the quit date, the smoker should plan activities to occupy the time when he or she usually smokes. Some examples of replacement activities may include:

• Taking a short walk after meals;
• Snacking on fruits and vegetables;
• Chewing gum (preferably sugarless); and
• Practicing breathing exercises (inhaling and exhaling slowly and deeply).

Just prior to the quit date, the smoker should throw out all smoking-related items, such as cigarettes, ashtrays, matches, and lighters.

Are there any risks?
The benefits of quitting smoking strongly outweigh the few risks. The risks include:

• Weight gain;
• Increased stress; and
• Side effects to smoking cessation medications.

Most studies show that smokers do not gain a large amount of weight after quitting. The average weight gain in most cases is only 5 pounds.

Nicotine replacements:

• Gum;
• Lozenges;
• Patches;
• Inhalers; and
• Nasal sprays.

And remember the benefits of quitting smoking begin as soon as 20 minutes after the last cigarette.