Dr. Wagner
THE HIDDEN DANGERS OF THIRD-HAND SMOKE
When you first walk into a room, it usually doesn’t take long to notice if someone has been smoking. You probably describe the scent as stale or lingering but what you might not know is that recent research suggests that “third-hand” smoke – the residue from tobacco smoke clinging to surfaces long after the smoke has settled – leaves behind more than just a bad odor.
The use of smokeless tobacco has grown over the last few years, primarily in the under 21 age group. As smoking has been socially less acceptable and the overwhelming amount of evidence of tobacco’s serious health effects are slowly acknowledged, tobacco companies have spent increasing amounts of advertising dollars on smokeless tobacco.
A significant portion of those users are adolescent males, and their numbers are growing by 30-50% since 2006. Of the estimated 10 million users of smokeless tobacco, 3 million are under the age of 21. Young users start as early as the sixth grade and are regular consumers by high school. The Center for Disease Control reports that the largest increases in smokeless tobacco use has been in the 18-24 age group.
Smokeless tobacco contains nicotine and around 30 cancer-causing substances just like tobacco that is smoked. A common misconception is it is somehow different or safer. Nicotine is rapidly absorbed through the mucosa in the mouth, easily attaining higher and possibly longer-lasting nicotine levels than cigarette smoking. Manufacturers have packaged, flavored and marketed their smokeless products to entice young people. Due to the addictive nature of nicotine, surveys show that users commonly move to higher levels of use due to their increasing tolerance.
Many of these users simply do not understand the serious risks that ingesting tobacco retains. In many respects, it is equal to or worse than smoking tobacco.
The World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer reported in 2008 that those who ingest tobacco have an 80% higher risk of developing oral cancer and 60% higher risk of contracting pancreatic and esophageal cancer. The high risks of developing ulcers of the esophagus or stomach, heart disease, high blood pressure, fetal abnormalities if used during pregnancy, are the same as smoking tobacco.
Smokeless tobacco wreaks havoc on the teeth, tongue and gums. More tooth decay and oral ulcers are common. A precancerous condition known as leukoplakia occurs in about half of all users within the first three years of regular use. If these white patches or plaques are identified early, it may be treated if tobacco use is stopped.
Quitting smokeless tobacco can be just as difficult as smoking due to the addiction to nicotine. The same options are available to users such as nicotine replacement products. Consult your healthcare provider to see if one of the prescription medications and counseling can help you quit.
Nicotine is a strong addiction and is difficult to overcome; nonetheless, it can be done with an organized approach. The profound and devastating health problems are entirely avoidable.
– Dr. Bruce Kaler
Posted in Health Tips, Healthcare Trends
Tagged addiction, cancer, cigarettes, nicotine, smokeless, smoking, tobacco
Smoking is basically a two part problem. The physical addiction to nicotine is very strong. If it wasn’t, it wouldn’t be so hard to quit. Medications (i.e. Chantix, Wellbutrin or Nicotine replacement in gum or patches) can be helpful to address the physiologic addiction.
Nicotine gum or patches substitute small amounts of nicotine to allow a weaning and gradual easing of withdrawal symptoms when quitting. Chantix and Wellbutrin work in a way that is both imperfect, not well understood, but probably most effective in fooling the center in the brain that controls nicotine desire. Neither has any nicotine but favorably affect neurotransmitters, chemical messengers between brain cells. This is similar to the way antidepressants have a positive effect on mood and anxiety. The net result is less interest in the seductive power of nicotine.
The second part of quitting is the habit or simple automatic behavior. Once you can see past the strong addiction to nicotine, you have to learn to cope with the stressors (boredom, anxiety, etc.) for particular situations in a different way. Changing your behavior is more straightforward but requires a plan and structure. Creating new habits in place of the old ones takes some persistence but is very attainable.
Here’s a simple behavior modification tip for quitting smoking:
1) Make a very specific list of the time of day “when” you smoke and “why” you smoke at that time. You can map out a typical day in writing. It should be in writing, but you need not share it with anyone. It is simply for your own edification. Writing it down allows you to be clear with all the tough moments throughout your day giving it careful review.
2) Then decide what you are going to do instead of smoking “at 9:40 a.m. when you have your break.” The structure and planning ahead provides a type of handrail to get through the difficult moment. Some ideas could be: eating hard candy, baby carrots, celery sticks, chewing gum, going for a walk, making a phone call. Any activity except for smoking will do. You must write it down so you can outline what you do accurately and make a definite plan in anticipation of the moment. Don’t leave it to the impulse of the moment.
Many people who quit smoking are not successful the first time. Anyone who has quit after the first try remains the lucky exception. Most people need a few times before they stop for good. So don’t view your past efforts as failures. The next time you are ready to give it a try, you are more likely than ever to succeed in being tobacco free – forever.
This small investment pays big dividends no matter what method you use to quit. Obviously, consult your physician to see if one of the helpful medications is right for you.
Ultimately, you have to change your behavior. It may seem daunting, but you can do it.
– Dr. Bruce Kaler
Posted in Health Tips, Healthcare Trends
Tagged cancer, cigarettes, habits, lungs, nicotine, quitting, smoking, tips