Author: Marsha Stewart

 

Anyone who has tried to stop smoking knows that the craving for nicotine takes a long time (or never) to disappear, and the early weeks of abstinence are accompanied by side effects such as disruptive sleep, distractibility, excessive eating, depression, anxiety and anger. — Judith J. Wurtman Ph.D.

The adverse effects of smoking are known, from cancer to heart problems to other severe medical health conditions. According to Reuters, about 500,000 die each year because of smoking, but still, cigarettes are sold in plain daylight in the market. The funny thing is many people declare poverty, yet they have money to support their smoking addiction. I should know because I’m one of those people.

 

Just a few years back, my father died of lung cancer, and it hit us hard as my mom passed away sooner. Our dad stood up for us four, and I believe too much pressure and stress made his immune system weak. Now, my siblings and I barely talk to each other. It felt like nothing was connecting us anymore. I learned how to smoke cigarettes right after I lost my dad.

 

Somehow, smoking makes me calm plus it makes me think. I almost forgot it’s what killed my father until one day when I wasn’t feeling okay. I had a terrible cough, so I had to go to the hospital to have a checkup. Sitting right next to me was a beautiful girl – a beautiful bald girl. She was sitting in a wheelchair, reading a book. It’s obvious what she was there for and what her condition was, and that made me feel ungrateful. There she was battling to lengthen her life, and here I am not giving a care about what smoking is going to do to me.

Essentially, if a stimulus predicts getting a hit, the brain gets smokers to pay attention to it so that they can do whatever is necessary and get a little drug in. — Adi Jaffe Ph.D.

After I had my checkup and was given medications, I hurriedly went home and fired up my laptop. I then browsed for the nearest counseling I could find, and luckily I saw one. I believe I’ve already seen this clinic once when I did an errand in that building.

 

Now, I’m on my third month of counseling, and we don’t just discuss how to quit smoking. My counselor has helped me identify the factors that led me to be a nicotine addict, and it primarily pointed out to the death of my father. It got me all depressed and fearful of losing another person in my life. Maybe that’s why I chose not to talk to my siblings. I have also realized that I haven’t been living. I was just surviving because I was afraid to die. I survive for the sake of it, but I forgot how it was like to have a purpose.

…smoking cessation is often accompanied by withdrawal states that contribute to resumption of smoking, including low mood, difficulty engaging in rewarding activities, and impaired thinking/memory. — Rick Nauert PhD

I’m still trying to figure out what my purpose is, but one thing that I am sure of is that I want to live longer, so I am determined to live healthily and quit smoking. It’s never smooth with all the cravings and mood swings, but I’m getting there. I’m almost close to not ending up like my father (hopefully – at least I lessened the risk).

 

Aside from going to a physical clinic where you can attend an actual therapy session, you could also check out credible counseling websites such as Betterhelp to aid you in quitting an addiction. They are available to lend a hand anytime.

 

 

 

 

I have an understanding of the consequences of my habits. Thus, being a smoker does not excuse me with the possible health damages that will happen out of my control. Since I am a hardened smoker, I know that my unhealthy habits will come back and haunt me one day. And that day was so recent that I discovered a tumor growing in my teeth cavities. But the struggle is not the dental problem itself but the dental anxiety that comes along with it.

I am at my worst as I experience too much anxiousness right now. I know that my last resort was to go and see a dental expert and get the tumor removed from my mouth. The problem is, I am too scared to undergo such treatment. I am having this intense fear of dealing with pain. Thus, there is a mixed emotion. I do not know what to do. All I know is I have to deal with this dental problem, but I can’t seem to find the courage to fight my dental anxiety. With that, I somehow want to rely on these frequently asked questions and hope that maybe I can work on my mental health issues.

Source: pixabay.com

How can I overcome dental anxiety? 

Overcome your dental anxiety through proper communication. Discuss your fears with your dentist and openly ask questions about your oral health as well as your options and treatment. Express yourself, and do not be afraid to ask your dentist about what’s happening because your dental doctor will work with you to address your fears and worries.

But in my case, I can’t seem to open up. I am just so embarrassed that I got this thing on myself. I am the one to blame for this situation, which adds to many more mental health problems.

 What can a dentist give you for anxiety? 

Usually, medications such as temazepam are used to relieve oral anxiety, or also known as anxiolytic. The dentists prescribed short-acting, small, single-dose to help anxious patients relax. The medication is usually taken an hour before the dental appointment.

In case I try it, I am not sure if I can entirely make it through the surgery process.

 How common is dental anxiety? 

Dental anxiety, also known as dental fear, is common among approximately 36% of the population. And it goes up to 12% further tally of people specifically suffering from extreme dental fear.

Unfortunately, I am one of that 12% of the population.

 Is Xanax good for dental anxiety? 

Though at some point, Xanax can help relieve levels of anxiety, it is best not to take it before a dental appointment. The primary reason for that is the possibility of interference with whatever the dentist needs to do. There is a chance that it can affect even numbing medication he has to use on hand.

 Can anxiety affect teeth? 

Bruxism, or the act of constantly grinding or clenching the teeth, is a known sign of anxiety. In some cases, individuals are not aware of their teeth grinding because it usually takes place in sleep time. It negatively impacts the teeth and causes overuse of jaw muscles. Thus grinding and clenching should be addressed immediately.

So far, I am not experiencing this one.

 How do I cope with anxiety? 

There are a lot of ways that can help you cope with anxiety. You can start by taking care of yourself, eating healthy foods, exercising, and getting enough sleep. You can also go outside, take a walk in the park, visit the beach, and enjoy nature. You can also spend time with family and friends and keep your social life active.

Source: pixabay.com

 What is oral anxiety? 

Oral anxiety is when the mental health condition shows physical manifestation. Anxiety can impact oral health, including mouth pain, mouth sores, TMJ disorders, bruxism, and gum disease. Dentists can detect and address oral anxiety with medications. But note. Some anti-anxiety medications can cause acid reflux, which can also increase the risk of having tooth decay.

 Will a dentist put you to sleep if you ask? 

Yes. The dentist can put you to sleep if that is necessary for treatment. However, in today’s modern dentistry, a technique known as ‘conscious sedation’ is widely used. It serves as a replacement for general anesthesia. The administration of conscious sedation involves giving the patient a single drug intravenously, which causes a warning due to multiple effects.

 Can I take Xanax before going to the dentist? 

It would help if you considered that your dentist might prescribe some medications during the dental appointment. If you take a Xanax right before any dental procedure, there is a tendency that the drug could interfere with whatever your dentist needs to do.

 How do I know if my dentist is good? 

You know when your dentist is good when he has actively listened, respects patient’s time and resources, gets to understand your needs, promotes a comfortable setting, follow up with you, educates, and respects their patient’s time and resources.

But at this moment, I am not sure if I can find the right doctor that will cater to my needs due to the uncertainties of my mental illness.

Source: pixabay.com

 Why shouldn’t you be afraid of the dentist? 

Fear or anxiety often makes patients avoid dentists. However, if you don’t go to the dentist for a regular checkup, you could be at higher risk of getting different kinds of diseases even just twice a year. Your oral hygiene can impact your heart, and that condition can end up being fatal. Thus, it is important to regularly clean your teeth and consult your dentist to lower your health risk level.

 Can I take Xanax before nitrous oxide? 

Though there are no interactions between Xanax and nitrous oxide, this does not essentially mean that no interactions can exist. To make sure, always consult your healthcare provider.

 What pill do they give you for sedation dentistry? 

Usually, the pill that the dentist gives you for sedation dentistry is Halcion. It is the same drug family as Valium. Usually, it gets taken about an hour before the procedure. And although you’ll still be awake, the pill will make you tired and sometimes unable to talk properly.

 What does Xanax do? 

Xanax is one of the drugs that most people recreationally take without a prescription. It gives patients a sedating or calming feeling. Xanax produces a “high” or euphoric feeling that makes people more quiet, relaxed, and a little bit tired.

 Are teeth grinding a sign of anxiety?

Yes. Teeth grinding or also known as bruxism, is often related to anxiety and stress. Though oral anxiety does not always cause symptoms, some people get headaches and facial pain depending on the severity of teeth grinding. Most people who clench their jaw grind and their teeth are not aware they’re doing it, which often leads to worn-down teeth over time.

 

 

Source: rawpixel.com

 

By now, you should have known that even if you’re not a smoker, breaking in the smoke of someone who is smoking could be equally life-threatening. It’s what we call secondhand smoking, which has apparently led to over 3,000 deaths due to lung cancer and even more from heart conditions – and these are al nonsmoking people in America every year.

There are millions of adults and children that are currently inhaling secondhand smoke right in their homes. Secondhand smoke could be particularly dangerous to the health of our children, as their respiratory systems are still developing. If you are a parent that smokes, you are exposing your kids to secondhand smoke. If they are usually staying in a place where they are exposed to secondhand smoke, they are in more harm than you could realize. If you get out of your house to smoke, your children are still susceptible to chemical exposure. What’s the smartest method to protect your family from secondhand smoke exposure? Clearly, it is QUITTING.

 

Definition

Secondhand smoke is a type of smoke that a smoker exhales. This smoke arises from the tip of the smoker’s cigarettes, cigars, and pipes. This smoke is composed of nearly 4,000 chemicals and a lot of these chemicals are lethal to one’s health. In fact, over 50 are known to have caused cancer and other lung diseases. When children and adults inhale secondhand smoke, they are exposing themselves to these dangerous chemicals.

 

Secondhand Smoke And The Growing Baby

If you are a smoker or are unprotected from secondhand smoke and you are pregnant, your unborn baby is undoubtedly susceptible to dangerous chemicals too. This will often result in several life-threatening health conditions, including prematurity, low birth weight, miscarriage, learning disabilities, SIDS, and ADHD.

These health hazards increase the longer you smoke or are exposed to secondhand smoke. Stopping the habit when you are pregnant really helps, but for sure the sooner you quit, the better it is for you and your baby. It is safe to say that pregnant women must avoid secondhand smoke and straightforwardly tell a smoker not to smoke around you.

 

Source: rawpixel.com

Secondhand Smoke And The Health Of Children

Babies are highly at risk of developing SIDS if their exposure to secondhand smoke is frequent and regular. Children as well have a greater risk of acquiring grave health conditions, or their existing problems could worsen. They could develop more coughs, colds, tooth problems, ear infections, and respiratory diseases like pneumonia and bronchitis.

If you try to observe children who have parents who smoke, you’ll see them wheeze and cough relatively more frequently than other kids. They also get over their colds or coughs slower than usual. This is why they miss more school days and present with similar symptoms like hoarseness of voice, sore throat, headaches, eye irritation, and stuffy nose. Finally, children who are asthmatic are very much affected by secondhand smoke. If they are frequently exposed to this, they will have more asthma attacks, which may become severe in the long-term.

 

Long-Standing Effects

Children with smoker parents are more likely to become smokers in the future, and they too will be at risk of developing the same health conditions that adult smokers are susceptible to having. Secondhand smoke could also result in conditions for children in the later years of their life, including lung cancer, cataract, and heart disease.

 

It’s Everywhere

Children are can breathe in secondhand smoke in a lot of places. In fact, even if parents and other family members don’t smoke in the house, they are still susceptible to inhaling secondhand smoke. They could be exposed in school, on the bus, at a friend’s house, at their babysitter’s house, in playgrounds or parks, in restaurants, or at the malls.

 

Making Your Family’s Environment Smoke-Free

Be a role model. If you are a smoker, quit NOW. If your kids see you, they might be curious and attempt to try smoking, and eventually grow up smoking like you. Some children who see cigarette butts at home try to experiment with them and smoke them – that’s the initial step in becoming a smoker.

 

Source: pixabay.com

Create a smoke-free home. If you’re still not able to quit smoking, avoid smoking inside your home and anywhere your children are, even if you’re outdoors. Keep in mind that air is flowing throughout the whole house, so if you smoke in one room, the smoke goes everywhere around the house.

 

Don’t choose a sitter that smokes. Your babysitter may not smoke inside the house but as mentioned above, smoke anywhere near and around your house exposes your child to it. If you haven’t hired a sitter, choose someone that isn’t a smoker so you won’t have to lay out rules in smoking in the first place.

 

Bottom Line

One of the best things you can do for you and your family’s health is to quit smoking. Quitting is crucial in preventing your kids from being exposed to the dangerous chemicals and side effects of secondhand smoke. Parents must exert effort in keeping their children protected from smokers and from secondhand smoke as well. And for parents who smoke, you must decide to quit NOW – before it’s too late.

 

 

 

A close friend asked me to help her organize the Smoking Cessation Conference 2019 at her hometown. She did not have to ask twice; talking about sobriety had been my life goal ever since I stopped smoking. She mentioned a few exciting topics over the phone, but the main one was about joining smoking cessation programs.

I support the latter idea even now because:

It Gives You New Friends Who Share A Common Goal

The first advantage of joining a smoking cessation program is that it allows you to meet new folks who want to quit, just like you. They can become the kind of friends that you need to reach sobriety, considering you all share a common goal.

It Gets You Acquainted To Sober People

Besides therapists, smoking cessation programs can get facilitated by individuals who have had similar issues in the past. They have typically been rehabilitated at the same institution and want to give back by helping other smokers change. When you talk to these sober people and see how their lives have improved after quitting, it may also encourage you to embrace sobriety. 

It Helps You Realize The Proper Steps To Quit Smoking

Finding a person who can stop puffing a cigarette overnight after years of doing it is next to impossible. For mere mortals like us, we need to follow some tried-and-tested steps to be able to stop smoking. You can learn all that and more once you join a smoking cessation program of your choice.

Final Thoughts

The conference was a success in various ways. We were thankful that many people came out to attend it. They said that all the discussions were insightful and that they learned a lot on that day. More importantly, some of them called our team and informed us that they started participating in smoking cessation programs. That’s all we can ask for, to be honest.

Source: pexels.com

There are some articles and news that circulate on the internet about the benefits of smoking or vaping. Some of this information says that the habit of inhaling nicotine helps decrease the risk of getting a Coronavirus infection. With the media’s influence, this information receives a lot of fuss among people, especially those who do not smoke. Because when they think about it, it contradicts a lot of health requirements. Thus, it is essential to note that unless the claim gets proven by science and gets handed out with specific pieces of evidence, we can’t instantly believe something we hear over the internet. So what is the truth about this vaping and smoking effect from COVID-19?

Source: pexels.com

Are Those Individuals Who Vape Or Smoke More Susceptible To COVID-19?

What we all know as fact is that those persons who smoke are highly susceptible to contract viral infections. That is due to the effects of smoking and vaping on the lungs. In regards to the current Coronavirus infection, the odds of these smokers’ disease progressing to a critical condition are higher among those individuals who do not smoke. That is due to specific reasons and behavior.

First, smoking and vaping involve frequent contact with lips and fingers. These two particular behavior notes a high possibility of spreading the virus even without noticing it. And since a lot of people are not aware of knowing where their hands can get an infection, these people are most likely to put the vape or cigarette butt into their mouths without hesitation. Second, there are the sharing components of vaping and smoking. Naturally, this behavior increases the risk of transmitting the virus because it can potentially pass it from one person to another through physical contact. And when people share vapes and cigarettes, the expectation of faster transmission is there.

Source: pexels.com

Do Smokers Experience Severe Health Outcome From COVID-19?

Yes, smokers make it easier for the virus to enter the body’s cells. That is due to its effect on weakening the lungs and immune system. And with its other existing contribution to the damaged health, it can eventually decrease individuals’ chances of survival from the virus infection. Specifically, due to the lungs’ damaged airways, smoking and vaping reduce the body’s capability to use oxygen properly. Thus, it can lead to a severe case of pneumonia, as for an example. That is, by the way, the most critical stage of COVID-19. Therefore, since the body’s health is compromised already, smokers can only expect one thing – health deterioration and eventual death. With that, it is reasonable to conclude that vaping and smoking can increase the risk of developing a severe infection from Coronavirus.

Source: pexels.com

What To Do If You Are A Smoker?

Quitting smoke and vape in an instant is the hardest thing to do for those hard smokers. During this pandemic time, where anxiety and stress are at a higher state, not smoking becomes challenging for those people. However, it is essential to note that with the growing number of infected people, safety precautions and health protocols must be a priority. It is vital to ensure to be at the best lung condition that people should be at this challenging time of the COVID-19 infection. As the study of the Coronavirus infection is progressing, it is advised that everyone should follow the same guidelines of social distancing and frequent hand washing. If possible, they should limit vaping and smoking also to restrict their frequent contact with their lips and fingers.

Again, as of this moment, there is no single evidence that proves smoking and vaping can reduce the risk of Coronavirus infection. So if people can quit, now is the right moment.

Attending the 2018 Smoking Conference was extremely memorable for me. For the first time, I attended it with my father, who had just stopped smoking (finally!). The entire family had been bugging him about it for years, and he eventually did it.

In that conference, Dad came across individuals who had also quit smoking. The expression on my father’s face might be etched in my memory forever when the organizers brought out folks who succeeded at taking cigarettes out of their lives. It was of pure amazement; if he doubted the possibility of being a non-smoker before, the stories of those people washed those doubts away.
What I found interesting, though, was the smokers who attended the event. Most of them said that they wanted to quit a long time ago but still couldn’t. The reasons I heard were all so simple but also super sad.

People Depend On Cigarettes For Clarity
You may know someone at work who cannot start a project without lighting a cigarette first. Such a smoker believes that the smoke clears their thoughts and allows them to do the job well.

People Feel Scared Of Dealing With Emotions
A lot of smokers tend to hide their emotions behind a puff. In case you have seen emotionally disturbed movie characters inhaling smoke like there’s no tomorrow, it’s similar to what smokers do in reality. They wish to avoid confronting their feelings; that’s why quitting seems like a far-fetched dream.

People May Have Developed Addiction
The saddest reason of all is that the smoker has become addicted to cigarettes after years or decades of using it. This idea typically occurs among individuals who go through several sticks or an entire pack of cigarettes every day. Thus, it is challenging for them to imagine a future without smoking.

 

Now that you know why some people can’t quit smoking, you should help them instead of criticizing them. They are neither weak nor suicidal. They merely have issues that need to be taken care of first. If you can assist smokers in solving their problems, they may decide to get rid of cigarettes sooner than later.