Smoking
habits and its complication
Burning
yourself
Smoking
is an act/habit of inhaling fumes from a burning cigarette or beedi or pipe.
Generally, tobacco is the major content of them, rarely with other blend/stuff.
A smoker not only pollutes himself, but also makes others to smoke passively.
Most people who live around smokers smoke many cigarettes unconsciously and
unknowingly.
Origin
of smoking tobacco
Herbs usually produce fragrance while they are burnt. Initially,
Egyptians and Greeks were found to inhale fumes of burnt herbs for medicinal
purpose. Researches suspect that America must be the birthplace of tobacco,
since only after Columbus it has been known to spread all over the world. The
Portuguese take the credit of introducing the smoking habit in India. Tobacco
is generally used in various ways i.e., smoked, snuffed, chewed, drunk or
rubbed against skin. It had been learnt that ancient doctors sometimes
prescribed tobacco smoking to soothe nerves.
The addictive effect of tobacco made people use tobacco persistently.
Originally, they smoked raw, folded tobacco leaf, followed by other
advancement, paper rolled, filtered, flavoured, etc. Kings used to smoke on
those days with specially made mouth tube from a burning bowl. Blending other
herbs and aromatic substances with tobacco may vary according to the craving or
desirable taste of the smoker.
Smoking
habit
Every smoker
knows people had suffered due to the smoking habit and it had finally snuffed
out their lives. Even then, they continue the habit. In fact, every 10 seconds,
a smoker gets killed by this habit.
This habit development is a preventable social act with effective anti-smoking
campaign, teaching the bad effects of smoking and to cope with life’s
challenges. Teens should be made aware that the after-effects of smoking will
be more dangerous than the punishment for smoking from their parents. People
should realise that the smoking habit often lays the foundation stone for drug
addiction.
To make a healthier tomorrow, steps have been taken by every government/country
to stop smoking i.e., through restriction in advertisement, statuary warnings,
restricted sales to under 18s, ban on smoking in public places, increasing
taxation to make smoking cost more, etc. In spite of all these, cigarette sales
stay high.
Statistics
of smokers
From the Christian era till the last decade, the uptrend has been identified in
spite of all anti-smoking campaign, statutory warnings, increased tax, etc. But
awareness about the side-effects of smoking and fear of lung cancer and heart
attacks drags has brought down the incidence in this last decade throughout the
world. But it is pathetic to note women and teens statistics seem to remain in
uptrend. Depression and club activities often lead one to this addiction.
Smoking parents become the main culprits for passing the habit to their
children.
Contents of Tobacco smoke – The major constituents
are tar, nicotine, carbon monoxide, ammonium compounds, acetone, methanol,
phenol, napthalene, butane, mercury, lead, cadmium, urethane, arsenic, hydrogen
cyanide, etc. Many of these are carcinogenic i.e., have the tendency to produce
cancers.
Addiction – Any routine habit will go to our
subconscious mind and remain there to induce us to do our routine routinely.
More than that, smoking addiction is extraordinary craving mainly due to
nicotine and ammonium compounds. They will trigger our brain to pass signal for
top up of addictives, once satiety level drops.
Many people would state a variety of reasons for their smoking.
Some would say they get relieved of constipation.
Some would say they feel fresh and active after smoking.
Some would say they have good sleep after smoking.
Some others would say they find mental freshness and are able to concentrate
well.
In reality, nicotine and other compounds in tobacco smoke are found to
stimulate brain temporarily. But one should be aware that every action has its
own opposite reaction. So, this addictive booster will finally end in
retardation of brain activities and premature ageing. So, altogether, a smoker
will get fenced and will be made to remain on the dark side of health in the
midst of his/her own smoke.
Risks
of smoking
The risk of
suffering usually depends upon the health status of the individual, period of
smoking, number of cigarettes per day and the content of the smoke. Continuous
smoking habit debilitates and ruins one’s health. Some would say they take
costly cigarettes which have filters. Be aware that even then you are prone to
all bad effects.
Poisonous effects of smoking can attack any part of the body from head to foot,
since blood has become contaminated, but most common sufferers are lung and
heart. The smoke entering the lung usually converts oxygen into carbon monoxide
to cause bad effect. The deeper the puff and more the time of holding smoke in
the lungs will cause more damage to the lungs. The common sufferings are
- Discoloured lips and
stained teeth
- Foul breath and
nasal/sinus allergy
- Respiratory
disorders like recurrent cough, bronchitis, asthma, tuberculosis, chronic
obstructive pulmonary diseases, emphysema, lung cancer, etc. Heart attack
- Increased blood
pressure and stroke Blocks in peripheral blood vessels causing TAO
(Thrombo Angitis Obliternas) or gangrene which can end in amputation
- Sleeplessness
- Peptic ulcer and
constipation
- Premature ageing and
death
- Males may suffer
from lowered sperm count & Impotency
- Female smokers often
suffer from delay in getting pregnant and early abortions. They would also
poison the foetus when they smoke during pregnancy.
Withdrawal
symptoms are
the main obstacles in quitting the debilitating smoking habit. The smokers also
take advantage of it and delay the quitting habit. The most common symptoms are
irritability, lack of concentration, depression, roller coaster of moods,
craving, anxiety, tension, restlessness, tremor, tingling sensation in
extremities, sleeplessness, constipation, dizziness, cough, voracious appetite,
etc. One should be aware that these are only temporary symptoms which
indicate/remind the top up time. These symptoms can be easily managed with will
power, good diet/supplements, good exercise and good environment.
General
treatment
The
bad effects of smoking cannot be treated unless it is entirely rooted out.
Cessation of smoking generally improves one’s health. There are many treatments
for putting an end to the habit. Among them, herbal cigarette, nicotine
replacement therapy, psycho therapy / counseling and other chemical treatments
are popular. Even though there are a lot of treatments, no treatment can be
effective unless the person wishes to quit smoking or has the will power to
stop it. De-addiction treatment is usually given with supplements as vitamins
and minerals to combat withdrawal symptoms.
De-addiction
treatment and ways to quit smoking
Addiction usually requires top up of nicotine and other ammonium compounds.
This habit should be managed with mind deviation, suppressing temptations or
cravings and medicines. Most of the people get trapped again with this habit
due to lack of confidence and support to combat temptations and cravings. One
who has found difficulty in quitting smoking can follow these procedures
- Short period smoking
habit should be quit immediately
- Long period
(addicted) smoking habit should be tapered to reduce withdrawal
symptoms/sufferings.
- Keep yourself always
busy and active
- Avoid circumstances
which favour/urge smoking
- Don’t go for a
relaxed mood
- Don’t be in midst of
smoke/smokers which can induce craving
- Be stubborn with
resolve to quit or otherwise a single cigarette or single puff will
override you
- Mind deviation
should be followed to manage the temptations or cravings. For ex- doing
exercises, playing, walking, chewing gum, drinking juices, etc.
- If you find it
difficult to quit even with interest to quit, then don’t throw the remnant
of your smoked cigarettes – preserve them to caution you as bricks of your
own tomb. In course of time, you can reject the craving.
- Always cherish the
advantages of quitting, related with cleanliness, fresh breath, good
health, money saved and time got.
Homeopathic
approach on
BAD EFFECTS OF SMOKING AND QUITING THE HABIT OF SMOKING
Doctors should guide smokers properly about the way to quit the habit
without suffering from withdrawal symptoms since many a time withdrawal
symptoms and cravings make the quitter tumble down again into the debilitating
habit. It is ultimately the mind which controls. Homeopathy treatment can
support one’s mind to cope up situation for quitting the habit.
To remove bad effects of smoking, removing the habit is a must, without which
bad effects cannot be rooted out. Many succeed in getting out of the habit for
some time and not ultimately ending in quitting. In course of time, they it
find difficult to overcome craving/temptation. Homeopathy can help in these
situations.
Homeopathic medicines can really do wonders in mind and manners. Homeopathy can
help smoker quit smoking by reducing the craving and to combat the bad effects
of smoking. But it can only help if you have wish/interest to quit. Also keep
in mind that only functional changes can be reverted to normalcy, whereas
structural changes cannot be revoked to normal. So, to evade bad effects, it is
better to take effort to quit at the earliest.
Homeopathic medicines commonly used in case of bad effects of smoking and for
de-addiction are Aranea diadema, Arnica, Caladium, Cannabis Indica, Centaury,
Cherry plum, Daphnae Indica, Ignatia, Lac.Can, Menthol, Nux vomica, Phosphorus,
Psorinum, Pulsatilla, Scleranthus, Tabacum, Tarentulla H, Thuja, Tuberculinum,
Walnut, etc. These medicines should be taken under the advice and diagnosis of
a qualified Homoeopath.
Say goodbye to smoking habit and lead a bright life
for
new hope
Dr. S. Chidambaranathan, BHMS, MD
(Homeo)
Laxmi Homeo Clinic
24 E. New Mahalipatti Road
Madurai, TN 625 001
India
Tel:
+91-984-319-1011 (Mob / Whatsapp)
Clinic : +91-452-233-8833 |
E-mail: drcheena@gmail.com
(Disclaimer: The contents of this column are for informational
purpose only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional
healthcare advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of
healthcare professional for any health problem or medical condition.)