Description

The nicotine dependence occurs when you need the nicotine, and you can't stop using it. Nicotine is the chemical in tobacco that makes it difficult to quit. Nicotine produces pleasurable effects on your brain, but these effects are temporary. To reach for another cigarette.

The more you smoke, the more nicotine you need to feel good. When you try to stop, you experience unpleasant mental and physical changes. These are the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.

Regardless of how long you've smoked, quitting can improve your health. It is not easy but you can break your dependence on nicotine. Many effective treatments are available. Ask your doctor for help.

Symptoms

For some people, the use of any amount of tobacco can quickly lead to dependence on nicotine. Signs you may be addicted, which include:

  • You can't stop smoking. You have made one or more serious, but unsuccessful, attempts to stop.
  • You have withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop. Their attempts to stop have caused physical and mood-related symptoms, such as strong cravings, anxiety, irritability, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, depression, frustration, anger, increased appetite, insomnia, constipation, or diarrhea.
  • You continue to smoke despite the health problems. Despite the fact that you have developed health problems with your lungs or the heart, has not been able to stop.
  • You give up social activities. You can let go of smoke-free restaurants or stop socializing with family or friends because you can't smoke in these situations.

When to see a doctor

You are not alone if you've tried to quit but I have not been able to stop for good. Most smokers make several attempts to stop smoking before achieving long-term stability of smoking abstinence.

It is more likely to quit smoking if you follow a treatment plan that addresses both the physical and the behavioral aspects of nicotine dependence. The use of medications and working with a counselor specially trained to help people quit smoking tobacco treatment specialist) will significantly increase your chances of success.

Ask your health care team to help you develop a treatment plan that works for you or advise you on where to get help to quit smoking.

Causes

Nicotine is the chemical in tobacco that keeps you in the habit of smoking. The nicotine reaches the brain within seconds of taking a puff. In the brain, nicotine increases the release of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, which help regulate mood and behavior.

Dopamine, one of these neurotransmitter, is released in the reward center of the brain and causes feelings of pleasure and improving the mood.

The more you smoke, the more nicotine you need to feel good. The nicotine quickly becomes part of their daily routine and intertwine with their habits and feelings.

Common situations that trigger the urge to smoke include:

  • The consumption of coffee or to take breaks on the job
  • Talking on the phone
  • Drinking alcohol
  • The driving of your car
  • Spend time with friends

To overcome their dependence on nicotine, you need to be aware of your triggers and make a plan to deal with them.

Risk factors

The person who smokes or uses other forms of tobacco are at risk of becoming dependent. Factors that influence the use of tobacco include:

  • Age. Most people start smoking during childhood or adolescence. The younger you are when you start smoking, the greater is the probability that you will become addicted.
  • Genetics. The likelihood that you are going to start smoking and keep smoking may be partly inherited. Genetic factors may influence how the receptors on the surface of nerve cells in the brain respond to high doses of nicotine delivered by cigarettes.
  • Parents and peers. Children who grow up with parents who smoke are more likely to become smokers. Children with friends who smoke are more likely to try.
  • Depression or other mental illness. Many studies show an association between depression and smoking. People who have depression, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder or other forms of mental illness are more likely to be smokers.
  • The use of substances. People who abuse alcohol and illegal drugs are more likely to be smokers.

Complications

Tobacco smoke contains over 60 known cancer-causing chemicals and thousands of other harmful substances. Even "natural" or herbal cigarettes contain harmful chemicals.

You already know that people who smoke cigarettes are much more likely to develop and die from certain diseases than people who do not smoke. But you may not realize how many different health problems that smoking causes:

  • Lung cancer and lung disease. Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer deaths. In addition, smoking causes lung diseases such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Smoking also worsens asthma.
  • Other types of cancer. Smoking increases the risk of many types of cancer, including cancer of the mouth, throat (pharynx), esophagus, larynx, bladder, pancreas, kidney, cervix, and some types of leukemia. In general, smoking causes 30% of all cancer deaths.
  • Heart and circulatory system problems. Smoking increases your risk of dying from heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease, including heart attacks and strokes. If you have a disease of the heart or blood vessels, such as heart failure, smoking worsens your condition.
  • Diabetes. Smoking increases insulin resistance, which can set the stage for type 2 diabetes. If you have diabetes, smoking can speed up the progress of the complications, such as kidney disease, and eye problems.
  • Eye problems. Smoking can increase your risk of serious eye problems such as cataracts, and vision loss from macular degeneration.
  • Infertility and impotence. Smoking increases the risk of decreased fertility in women and the risk of impotence in men.
  • Complications during the pregnancy. Mothers who smoke during pregnancy face a greater risk of premature labor and giving birth to lower weight babies.
  • The cold, the flu and other illnesses. Smokers are more prone to respiratory infections, such as colds, flu, and bronchitis.
  • Teeth and gum disease. Smoking is associated with an increased risk of developing inflammation of the gums and a serious gum infection that can destroy the system of support of the teeth (periodontitis).

Smoking also poses risks to the health of those around you. Non-smoking spouses and partners of smokers have an increased risk of lung cancer and heart disease compared to people who do not live with a smoker. Children whose parents smoke are more prone to worsening of asthma, ear infections and colds.

Prevention

The best way to prevent the nicotine dependence is the non-use of tobacco in the first place.

The best way to keep children from smoking is to not smoke himself. Research has shown that children whose parents do not smoke or to stop smoking with success are much less likely to take up smoking.

Diagnosis

Your doctor may ask you questions or ask you to fill out a questionnaire to see how dependent you are on the nicotine. Get to know their degree of dependence will help your doctor determine the right treatment plan for you. The more cigarettes you smoke each day and before you smoke after waking up, the more dependent on you.

Treatment

Like most smokers, you've probably made at least one serious attempt to quit. But it is unlikely to quit on their first attempt — especially if you try to do it without help. You are much more likely to be able to quit smoking if you are using medicines and advice, which have been proven effective, especially in combination.

Drugs

Some smoking cessation products which are known as nicotine replacement therapy, as they contain varying amounts of nicotine. Some of these of nicotine replacement therapies require a prescription, but others do not. There are two approved smoking cessation medications that do not contain nicotine, and both are available only with a prescription.

Any of these products can help reduce nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms — as is more likely that you will quit smoking for good. The use of more than one can help you get the best results.

Although you can buy some products to quit smoking without a prescription, it is a good idea to talk with your doctor first. Together, you can explore what products might be right for you, when you start to take them and possible side effects.

Advice

The drugs help to cope with the situation by reducing the withdrawal symptoms and cravings, while behavioral treatments help to develop the skills needed to quit for good. The more time you spend with a counselor, the better the treatment, the results will be.

During individual counseling or in group, learn techniques that you can use to help you quit smoking. Many hospitals, health care plans, health care providers, and employers offer treatment programs. Some medical centers provide residential treatment programs — the more intensive treatment available.

Methods to avoid

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have not been shown to be safe or are more effective in helping people to quit smoking, nicotine replacement medications. In fact, many people who use electronic cigarettes to quit smoking, the use of both products, instead of quitting smoking.

It is not a good idea to replace other type of tobacco for smoking. Tobacco in any form is not secure. Stay away from these products:

  • Dissolvable tobacco products
  • Smokeless tobacco
  • Nicotine lollipops and balms
  • Cigars and pipes
  • Water pipes

Coping and support

Social support is critical for achieving a stable and solid, smoke-free life. Ask your family, friends, and coworkers for support and encouragement. Be direct and let them know what would help the most.

Also consider trying out these resources:

  • The support groups. Often available at little or no cost, support groups, offer coaching and mutual support of others trying to quit smoking. Nicotine Anonymous groups are available in many places.
  • Telephone counseling. Leave lines to provide a convenient access to trained counselors. In the united states, call 800-QUIT-NOW ( 800-784-8669 ) to connect directly to your state-of-the-line smoking cessation.
  • Text messaging and mobile applications. A number of available services for reminders and tips delivered to your mobile phone.
  • Web-based programs. Sites like BecomeAnEX provide free personalized support, guides and interactive tools, and discussion groups to help you stop smoking.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely to start by seeing your primary care physician. Here's some information to help you prepare, and what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

To prepare for your appointment:

  • Consider your smoking triggers. List of the circumstances when more likely to reach for a cigarette. In what situations of smoking has become a ritual?
  • Take note of the symptoms that may be related to smoking. Include the length of time that you have had each one.
  • Make a list of your medications. Include all the vitamins, herbs, and other supplements.
  • Invite a family member or friend. Sometimes it can be difficult to soak up all the information provided during an appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Be prepared to answer the questions your doctor may ask you reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Some of the questions your doctor may ask include:

  • How many cigarettes you smoke each day? How long after you wake up you smoke?
  • Have you tried to quit smoking? If so, what happened? What worked? What didn't work?
  • What is motivating you to stop smoking now?
  • Do you have any physical health problems, such as heart disease or diabetes, who are suspected of being related to the habit of smoking?
  • Has smoking caused problems at work or in your relationships?
Symptoms and treatment of Nicotine dependence