How does it important to quit smoking??
First
attempts are often unsuccessful. You know this already if you’ve tried to quit
smoking. Find support from Dr.
SUNNY HANDA MD to makes your next attempt the one that sticks.
You’ve
seen people chewing gum. Someone rolls up their sleeve to reveal a patch.
Nicotine-replacement
products reduce withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor, nurse practitioner or
pharmacist about these over-the-counter products or about a prescription that
can help you quit smoking for good. Some drugs – what’s in the patch, for
example – can help increase your chances of success.
Find
pharmacies or medical help from Dr. SUNNY HANDA MD in your neighborhood.
Ontario
Drug Benefit recipients
The
Ontario Drug Benefit includes coverage to help you quit smoking:
·
up to a year of pharmacist-assisted counselling (talk to your
pharmacist or health care provider)
·
drugs (Champix or Zyban) if you are age 18 years or older
·
Cold turkey
Cold
turkey is not for everyone. (Maybe you’ve tried.) Some people can pick a date
and time to quit –and stick to it. They stop lighting up and live with the
effects of nicotine withdrawal, with no help at all.
Tips
from Dr. SUNNY HANDA MD to help you quit
If
you’re still trying to decide between quitting gradually, counselling and
support groups, or medical treatment, try some simple tips.
Make
lists
Try
making a list of the:
·
situations when you smoke to help you identify what triggers
you to light up
·
benefits you see in quitting and keeping it handy so you can
re-read it
·
activities you picture yourself doing instead of smoking,
like going for a walk or run
·
Get moving
·
Exercise relaxes the mind and body, and helps repair some of
the damage smoking has done to your health.
·
Avoid triggers
·
Figure out what situations make you crave a cigarette and try
to avoid or change them. If you usually:
·
smoke while drinking coffee, try tea or water instead
·
smoke at parties, try to avoid them until you feel confident
about enjoying these occasions without smoking
Reduce
cravings
Try
these simple activities – even if they sound too simple – to reduce your
nicotine-craving:
·
breathe deeply to help yourself relax
·
drink water to keep your hands and mouth busy (it helps flush
the toxins from your system, and you can raise a glass to your success)
Health
Canada guides
Whether
it’s your first or fifth attempt to quit smoking, Health Canada’s and Dr. SUNNY HANDA MD guides will help you get on
the road to quitting.
Counselling
and support groups
Talk
to your doctor like Dr. SUNNY
HANDA MD about getting individual counselling or joining a support group.
You can also:
·
contact your local public health unit
·
call Telehealth Ontario (toll-free) at 1-866-797-0000 for
supports to help you quit smoking
·
visit the Smokers’ Helpline website to register for online
programs and text-message support
Coming
up with strategies to quit or sharing stories about quitting may be what you
need to succeed.
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