Quit Smoking

Smoking cessation is the process of quitting smoking tobacco or nicotine products. Trying to stop smoking usually means overcoming nicotine addiction physically, emotionally, and psychologically.

Quitting smoking can be challenging, but once you do, you will be much healthier and happier. Not only will quitting smoking reduce the risk of lung cancer, but your heart and respiratory health will also improve.

You might feel that your life depends on a puff from a cigarette, and the thought of trying to quit may send shivers down your spine. However, there are plenty of medicines and resources available once you decide to stop.

At SpeedyHealth, we offer medical advice and treatment options for those who are motivated to quit smoking.

Smoking addiction happens due to the presence of nicotine in cigarettes. Nicotine is an addictive substance. When you smoke, the nicotine from the cigarette enters your bloodstream, and within seconds, it reaches your brain. This ‘rush’ causes your brain to release dopamine, a chemical responsible for making humans feel happy and relaxed.

Over time, your brain becomes used to this feeling, and so it becomes heavily dependent on nicotine to stimulate dopamine. As a result, you become addicted to smoking.

Gradually, your body begins to develop tolerance to the effects of nicotine. This is why you might find yourself craving more nicotine over time to experience the same amount of pleasure as before.

Signs that you may be addicted to smoking include:

• Increased cigarette cravings: You crave more cigarettes each day.
• Smoking in unhealthy conditions: You continue using nicotine even after knowing the health risks associated with it.
• Increased anxiety and restlessness: You begin to feel more and more anxious and restless if you go without smoking for even a couple of hours.

Quitting smoking is one of the most important decisions people can take to improve their health. Today, more than 16 million Americans are affected by a smoking-related disease.

In fact, even passive smoking is harmful to health. In the US, smoking and passive smoking cause more than 480,000 deaths every year.

Here are some health risks associated with smoking:

• Various types of cancers, such as lung, mouth, and throat cancers.
• Heart-related conditions such as heart attack or stroke.
• Tooth loss due to periodontitis, a gum infection.
• Developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is a lung disorder.
• Developing type 2 diabetes.
• Worsening of reproductive health.
• Erectile dysfunction.
• Blurred vision.
• Compromised immune system.

If you are addicted to smoking, quitting smoking can save your life and improve your overall health.

When you quit smoking, you will notice some immediate benefits. Here’s what happens after you stop smoking:

When you try to quit smoking, you will experience some withdrawal symptoms. This is because your body is weaning off nicotine, and your brain is getting used to adjusting without nicotine.

Withdrawal symptoms may feel uncomfortable, but they are harmless. Here are some common withdrawal symptoms to expect:

• Having an urge to smoke.
• Feeling irritated, agitated, or upset.
• Feeling anxious and restless.
• Not being able to concentrate.
• Finding it difficult to sleep.
• Feeling very hungry.
• Gaining weight.
• Feel sad or depressed.

How long do withdrawal symptoms last?

Withdrawal symptoms do not last long. They usually peak during the first three days after you stop smoking and decrease in intensity over the first month. However, this differs from person to person, and some people might experience withdrawal symptoms several months after quitting smoking.

The key is not to surrender to the symptoms. In fact, the longer you resist giving in to the symptoms and stay smoke-free, the quicker the symptoms will fade away.

How can I manage withdrawal symptoms?

It can be challenging to manage withdrawal symptoms. But the key is to stay strong and not to give in to smoking another cigarette.

Here is what you can do to manage withdrawal symptoms:

The first step is to decide to quit smoking. Once you have decided to quit, multiple resources are available to help you on your journey.

Prescription-only medicines for smoking cessation:

There are quit-smoking tablets available which can be taken at home. At SpeedyHealth, we prescribe the following medicines:

• Varenicline: This is an oral tablet that can help you quit smoking. It works in two ways: It activates the brain’s nicotine receptors to reduce cigarette cravings. It also minimizes withdrawal symptoms by stopping the nicotine from attaching to the receptors. This takes away the pleasure of smoking a cigarette.
• Bupropion (generic Zyban): This is a prolonged-release tablet that can help you stop smoking, when used together with motivational support.

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT):

Nicotine replacement therapy reduces withdrawal symptoms by giving your brain small, controlled amounts of nicotine at a time. NRT is available in the form of patches, gums, lozenges, inhalers, and nasal sprays.

Smoking cessation counseling:

Many smokers also try counseling or seek professional help to quit smoking in addition to taking medicines or NRT. Joining a support group or a quit-smoking programme can help immensely when it comes to quitting smoking.

Going cold turkey to stop smoking:

Many chain smokers decide to quit smoking all at once without taking medicines or therapy. This method requires a lot of willpower, but may work for some people.

If you are doing everything to quit smoking, but still struggling, try these tips to make the process a little easier:

• Set a quit date: This will help you prepare yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally to stop smoking. It will also motivate you to take on this momentous task one day at a time.
• Get rid of cigarettes or cigarette-related things: Throw away your cigarettes, lighters, or ashtrays. This will help you avoid reminders of smoking.
• Lean on your support system: Quitting smoking can be tough, so lean on your support system. Seek help if you find yourself relapsing.

As with all medicines, smoking cessation tablets have some side effects. These are temporary and resolve on their own as you continue to abstain from smoking.

Some side effects include :

• Feeling anxious, sad, restless, agitated, irritated, or depressed.
• Feeling nauseous or tired.
• Experiencing severe headaches.
• Having trouble falling asleep.
• Experiencing strange, vivid dreams and nightmares.
• Dry mouth.

Seek immediate medical attention if the side effects do not go away or worsen.

Sometimes, even the most motivated people can relapse or slip up while trying to quit smoking.

If this happens to you, remember that you have not failed. You can always start again.

Here’s what you can do to avoid a relapse:

• Stick to your medicines: Continue taking your smoking cessation medicines. Doing so will lower your chances of relapsing.
• Join a smoking cessation programme: The support you will receive there will prevent a relapse.
• Identify relapse triggers: If you know certain people, places, things, or situations can trigger a relapse, avoid them at all costs.
• Distract yourself: Whenever you feel close to relapsing, try distracting yourself with a small physical activity, such as yoga or meditation, or talking with someone who knows you well.

No. You cannot buy smoking cessation medicines over the counter. These medicines are only available to buy with a prescription from a licensed doctor or healthcare provider.

You can get a prescription for smoking cessation medicines online from SpeedyHealth.

Yes, you can buy medicines to stop smoking online at SpeedyHealth. All you have to do is follow these simple steps:

• Choose a medicine for smoking cessation that you think will work the best for you.
• Fill out our online consultation form. It should only take 5-10 minutes.
• Our doctor will review the form and determine if the treatment is best for you.
• If they approve, the doctor will issue an e-prescription for the treatment.
• Our licensed pharmacy will dispatch the treatment in discreet packaging to your doorstep with free delivery.

At SpeedyHealth, we provide fast and convenient healthcare without the hassle of waiting in line for a prescription. Your medications are just a few clicks away.

You can trust that there are no hidden fees or costs when you order from us.

Best of all, we offer free and discreet delivery right to your doorstep. Your order is completely confidential, and you won’t have to pay for shipping.