Addictions To Nicotine And Their Implications To Your Health

Additions To Nicotine And Their Implications To Your Health

Addiction is the habit of taking drugs or alcohol, with the development of a craving which is beyond the will of the person to control. Two basic things are characteristic of one who is addicted – habit and a craving for the substance.

One major substance that people easily addicted to is nicotine, a poisonous alkaloid of tobacco. It is very easy to get hooked on it and also very difficult to quit once you are hooked. Some people resort to the use of nicotine because they see others smoke. Others smoke because of the way cigarettes are advertised.

But why do people really smoke?
Smokers have always had excess to advance for their addiction. Some would tell you that smoking helps them to eat well; some say it helps them to go to toilet well. Yet some say it helps them to cope with stress, boredom, loneliness, anxiety, frustration, tiredness, etc. Even as some are aware of the danger of smoking to their health, they still find it difficult to quit because of the appealing brands of cigarettes in the market and the aggressive marketing strategies by manufacturers.

What are the symptoms of nicotine addiction?
The major sign that shows that you are addicted is your craving for the cigarette. If you can’t stay for a day or two without cigarette it means you are addicted. Staying comfortably for 3 days in a roll without the desire to have a puff means that you really never were addicted to nicotine.

If you need to have a puff before you can comfortably empty your bowel, then you are addicted. Other signs that show that you are addicted to nicotine include depending on it to relieve your stress always, using it to relieve your anxiety, using it to kill hunger or to improve your appetite. Most importantly, if you experience headache, nausea, aggression, irritation, etc because you have not smoked for sometime, it means you are really hooked. If you also see yourself smoking spontaneously without really having a good reason for doing so, then you are hooked as well.

Health implications of smoking
Decline in memory: Nicotine interferes with the brain cells and destroys the gray matter which is connected with learning and memory. This makes the smoker to easily forget recent or past events. The condition gets worse with time as the individual remains in the habit.

Cancer: Nicotine promotes the development and growth of cancer. This is the reason why many smokers end up with cancer of the lungs, lips, mouth, larynx, pharynx, cervix, colon, kidneys, etc.

Heart disease: Nicotine predisposes one to heart disease and other related problems. Some of the diseases that could come up include coronary heart disease, heart attack, pericarditis, etc.

Blood vessel disease: The risk of developing atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm is quite high. The risk of developing high blood pressure is high because of the constrictive nature of nicotine which leads to narrowing of the lumen of the blood vessels. Besides, carbon monoxide makes the build up of fatty plaques in the vessels faster – a condition known as atherosclerosis. This brings about narrowing of the inside and hardening of the wall of the vessel.

Respiratory disease: Respiratory diseases like pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, chronic cough, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, etc are common problems of smoking.

Nicotine addiction has so many other health risks. So you must consider your health when next you are tempted to take a puff. Think whether the risk is really worth it. Your life is important to yourself, your family and the nation.

Overcoming Medication Dependency and Addiction as a Cancer Patient

Pain medications may be necessary for those suffering from pain due to an illness, such as cancer, or those recovering from an injury or surgery. Many pain medications carry an increased risk of developing a dependency or addiction. This risk is further increased if you have struggled with substance abuse dependency in your past. There are several things you can do to lessen the likelihood that you will abuse or develop an addiction to your pain medication.

Tell your doctor of any history of substance abuse or addiction. It is imperative that you carefully follow your doctor’s orders for your medication exactly. Do not take doses that are larger than prescribed or take the medication more frequently than prescribed. Take the medication whole. Crushing or breaking pills can change the way the body absorbs the medication. Know the possible side effects and when to notify your doctor. Do not mix your medication with alcohol or other drugs, including over the counter drugs, without checking with your doctor.

Medical supervision for pain management may be needed for people who live with chronic or long-term pain, such as patients with mesothelioma. This aggressive form of cancer often calls for palliative measures. With a mesothelioma life expectancy often only being one to two years, pain management becomes critical.

Pain medication is generally safe for use and effective at managing pain when used as directed. When it is not used as directed, it can cause serious problems, including death. Medication monitoring, combined with learning skills to help you cope with your pain can help prevent addiction. The Mayo Clinic recommends therapy to help patients deal with the mental aspects of their diagnosis and to adjust to living with chronic pain.

Managing your pain medication can be a lot to handle on your own. Most communities have pain management clinics available. These clinics have medical professionals that can give you the time and attention you need to feel safe, comfortable and confident with your pain management plan. Therapists can help you deal with the psychological aspects of living with severe pain and help you develop strategies and tools to cope.

If you are already struggling with a dependency to pain medication, they can help you overcome it. A drug detox period may be necessary to get the medication out of your system. The clinic staff will work with your medical team to find a way to keep you comfortable without dependency. You don’t need to worry about being able to manage your pain alone.