Many thousands of people today are heavy smokers, not by choice, but because they have found no way of escape. They are caught in the grip of a habit developed during their teen-age years when so many young people think it is smart to smoke.
The strange thing is that most of these people never wanted to smoke in the first place. They were only doing what they thought everyone to smoke in the first place. They were only doing what they thought everyone else was doing at the time. Yet here is another odd thing. Smoking is not a normal habit. A person has to learn to smoke.
Why Stop?
Why should we worry about worry about smoking? For several reasons. Smoking is not merely an expensive luxury; it plays a definite part in lowering a persons resistance to disease. Heavy smokers die from five to ten years earlier than non-smokers. In most cases the trouble important factor is cancer of the lung. Yes, a person can save money by not smoking; but far more consequential, he saves health and vitality.
Perhaps you have never learned to smoke. Good! But many of your friends are not so fortunate. For their sakes it is well for you to understand something about this problem. Every cigarette your friends smoke leaves them just a little weaker and less able to carry on. Then why dont they stop? Because they are addicted to nicotine, a powerful drug that is present in tobacco leaves.. Some people seem to have a real struggle. They majority continue to smoke because they get a temporary lift from the tobacco. However, this is always followed by a let-down, which then calls for another smoke.
Strange that a few brown leaves rolled up in a small wrapper or paced down in the bowl of a pipe should have such a profound effect on a persons life. Is it a temporary way of escape from the strain of living amid constant tension? It is true that many heavy smokers are neurotics. Smoking provides a quick way out of a dilemma. Drugs present in tobacco leaves give a temporary lift, so they keep right on smoking, lightening one cigarette from the butt of another. Meanwhile the weed is slowly wrecking their health and shortening their lives.
Non-smokers have the Advantages
What happens when a person stop smoking? His digestion improves his blood pressure returns to normal , the quality of the blood itself improves and his heart works more efficiently . But this is not all; the person who gives up smoking does something really worthwhile for his future health. He has less chances of developing ulcers of the stomach, and he is less susceptible to heart disease during the productive years o f his life. He will also have less trouble with his nose and throat.
Ever hear of a smokers cough ? Of course you have. Some of your friends have chronic, hacking bronchitis and maybe you do too! Inflammation of the throat is only too common in all heavy smokers. That stubborn cough is bad enough. But far more serious, the chronic irritation may also lead to cancer.
True some doctors believe other factors are also responsible. That may be. The fact remains, however, that the non-smoker has far less trouble with his throat and lungs and also with his heart and circulation, regardless of these other factors. Therefore, the wise person will avoid using a weed that seems to destroy his body.
Poisons in Tobacco
Actually there are eighteen different poisons in a cigarette. Some of these attack the delicate membranes of the windpipes. Others enter the blood stream and interfere with its normal circulation throughout the body. But the two most important are the tar, a carcinogenic or cancer producing substance, and nicotine.
These substances are transferred to the bronchial tubes and the lungs through the smoke, and then deposited on the mucous membranes lining these tubes, where they cause much local irritation . Infact these mucous membranes may become four or five times thicker in the heavy smoker than in a non-smoker . This increases the resistance to the passage of air into the lungs and makes it that much harder for him to breathe.
Extracts of these substances are used to by scientists to produce cancer in mice and other experimental animals. Why take such poisons into your own system and run the risk of developing cancer of the lung?
Nicotine is one of the most potent substances known to man. As a poison it is second only to the cyanides in its destructive effect on the human body. Fortunately, much of the nicotine is destroyed when the tobacco is burned, but enough of it gets into the smokers lungs to give him a lift . This is temporary, however. Soon his artificially stimulated nerves call for another smoke , and so on and on . This is how nicotine creates addiction to tobacco.
Ho?
How to stop w can people actually stop smoking .Naturally the first thing to do is to STOP. Whether you decide to stop for just and hour at a time during the first day , and two hours the next and three hours the next day , or whether you plan to stop altogether is a personal matter which you alone must decide . Almost every smoker who genuinely wishes to stop will have a real struggle to face. What should he do? Here are a few steps he can take.
Stay away from other smokers as much as possible, particularly during the next few weeks. This will reduce temptation and strengthen your resolve not to start again.
Become a vigorous campaigner against the use of tobacco in any form. This may bore some of your friends for awhile, but in the end you may be able to help them too. And certainly in the process you bolster your own resolve.
Take two hot baths every day and follow them with stimulating cold showers. This will help you physically and strengthen your will to succeed.
Take plenty of exercise including deep breathing, like Pranayama is good. Long walks in the open air several times each day. This will clean out the lungs and improve your sense of well being.
Watch your diet. Be sure to take large quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables .These are an excellent antidote against the poisons of tobacco. In fact, if you were to eat little except fruit and vegetables for the next few weeks you would soon lose your desire to smoke. If necessary, take small meals more frequently to stabilize your blood sugar. This will also help to calm your nerves during this time of stress.
Dont go hungry for long. Eat regularly and do not attempt to lose weight while you are trying to break the tobacco habit. You may gain a few pounds, but dont worry about this just now. You can lose it later if need be.
Avoid highly seasoned foods, alcohol, tea and coffee. These have probably encouraged your carving for tobacco. They have spoiled your appetite for normal foods that build the body. Omit such things as pepper, mustard, spices and all hot condiments from you diet. For the present you should even be careful about taking excessive amounts of salt. Drink at least ten glasses of water a day the first week. Taking a drink helps to reduce the craving for tobacco. If you will follow these instructions you will soon be surprised at the new flavors you are discovering in your foods.
Get rid of all your cigarettes and every vestige of tobacco you possess. It is not safe to keep any smoking materials handy just now. The temptation to start using the stuff may prove too great.
Commit yourself to God every day and every hour, Asking Divine help whenever you feel the carving to smoke. Power from above is always available to those in need.
Do not falter in your resolve to conquer this habit, for it is well worth all the effort you will be force to make.
Once you have solved this problem you will be surprised at how much better you feel. Your heart will beat quietly, your nerves will be calm, and your pulse strong and steady. Your breath will be sweet and clean, your muscles relaxed and your mind will be in control of itself. This will give you new moral and intellectual power, for you are no longer enslaved by a filthy habit. From now on you will enjoy better health and under the blessing of God, you will know true satisfaction and happiness.
Danger Signals of cancer
Tumor or swelling: This is always a danger sign. Any swelling of the tissues anywhere in the body should always be looked on with suspicion. Even a goiter, which is an enlargement of the thyroid gland in the front of the neck, may become malignant at some time or other . If there is any doubt, one should see a good surgeon.
Loss of Weight: Any loss of weight can be serious. This should always be thoroughly investigated, particularly in older people. Sometimes the loss of weight occurs so slowly this. But whatever the cause , something should be done about it. A complete record of a person weight should always be kept, preferable in your doctors office.
Change of Color. This is another cause of concern. It could be due to slowly developing anemia, arising from something depressing the normal functions of the bone marrow. Cancer will sometimes produce these changes. So will other serious types of illness. One should have a complete examination, as will as a blood count, urinalysis, and whatever X-rays may be indicated.
Chronic Sores. Any sore that does not heal within two or three weeks could be due to cancer of the skin. Such sores found on the face, hands arms and other parts of the body. There is no use putting ointment on the sore and hoping it will heal. If it is a cancer, it must be treated properly. Surgery and X-ray radiation are the best means at present available.
Unusual Bleeding or Discharge: Certain discharges from the body are perfectly normal. They are necessary for the health of the system. But any unusual discharge or bleeding should be looked upon with strong suspicion . This could arise from cancer. Such conditions should be given a most thorough investigation.
Warts and Moles: Moles and blemishes are exceedingly common. Many people also have warts; These are hard, dry growths in the skin. They come and go without any obvious cause. Usually they are perfectly harmless. But any sudden change in the appearance of a wart or mole should be reported to your doctor at once, such changes are sometimes due to the presence of cancer.
Persistent Indigestion: Many people are troubled with occasional bouts of indigestion .These episodes arise from a discovered stomach, which is often irritated by improper foods. Nervous problems are another common cause of gas and indigestion. Such symptoms are often present all through life. But if a person suddenly notices he has indigestion more frequently, it is high time to see his doctor and have an X-ray of this stomach and bowel. Cancer may be lurking within.
Difficulty swallowing: Most of us have no difficulty in swallowing! In fact , if we did it might be better for our waist line !but when a person suddenly experiences difficulty in swallowing , it is time to
do something about the condition . The trouble may not be due to cancer, But what ever the cause , it should be corrected.
Hoarseness: cancer of the larynx , or voice box is not very common. But it does occur. If a person suffers from hoarseness for more than a week or two , he should consult a specialist in nose and throat diseases . There may be tumour on one of the vocal cords.
Chronic Cough: coughing is associated with many different diseases . A chronic cough might be due to cancer of the lung. An X-ray of the chest is always advisable.
Changes in bowel Habits. Any sudden change in normal bowel habits should be carefully investigated. An X-ray of the lower bowel should be done and a complete proctoscopic study carried out . One should be done and a complete proctoscopic study carried out. One should never test until these organs have been thoroughly examined. Such changes may be due to cancer. Fortunately, this type of malignancy usually responds well to proper treatment, which generally includes surgery.