moking and your health S Tobacco use is the #1 preventable cause of death and disability in the world. Each year, more than 400,000 adults die from tobacco-related diseases. And, more than one million young people take up tobacco use each year. This brochure is to help you understand tobacco use and how it affects your health. It will cover:
acts about tobacco use F Nicotine (a drug found in tobacco products) is highly addictive. It is absorbed quickly in the lungs from tobacco smoke. It is also absorbed quickly when tobacco is chewed. When it is used all the time, levels of nicotine add up in the body during the day and stay overnight. So, a tobacco user feels the effects of nicotine 24 hours a day.
• Facts about tobacco use • Tobacco use and your health • Understanding nicotine withdrawal
icotine – the addiction N Being addicted to nicotine causes withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop using it. It is much the same as cocaine and other addictive drugs. Nicotine in tobacco products can make you sick. It makes the heart beat faster, increases the breathing rate and causes the body to use more oxygen. In large amounts, addictive drugs like nicotine, heroin and cocaine are poisons. For example, nicotine has been used to kill insects.
obacco use and your T health Using tobacco can: • narrow your arteries and make them less able to stretch • increase your risk for certain types of cancer (throat, mouth, lungs, etc.) • cause: — breathing problems (asthma, COPD, bronchitis, etc.)
• Nicotine replacement therapy • A plan to help you quit
— erectile dysfunction (impotence) — wrinkles and other skin problems — insomnia When you take nicotine into your body by smoking or chewing tobacco, you get a quick “kick.” This “kick” is due to your body’s release of a hormone that causes a sudden release of glucose (sugar). It is then followed by depression and fatigue, which makes you crave more nicotine. A vicious cycle occurs.
— infertility — osteoporosis • increase your risk for heart attacks or stroke • lead to circulation problems • shorten your life • make you heal slower than normal • lead to high blood pressure • bring on menopause earlier
obacco use and T pregnancy Using tobacco can lead to problems for pregnant women, women who breast feed, their children and even for women who plan to get pregnant. Using tobacco can cause: • miscarriage or “stillborn” babies • ectopic pregnancies (conception outside the uterus) • premature birth • sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
U
nderstanding nicotine withdrawal Nicotine has a powerful effect on your body and your brain. When nicotine is taken away, it can cause changes in your brain’s chemistry. This is called withdrawal. Cravings and emotional distress can occur. And you may have one or more of these: • strong cravings for tobacco
ecovery R Recovery is getting past withdrawal. The longer you have used tobacco and the more you use it each day, the harder it may be for you to quit. Being honest about why you use tobacco can tell you what you need to work on most for recovery. Think about why you use tobacco. If you smoke because your bored, try knitting instead.
• depression • anger • irritability
• low birth weight
• tension
• slowed growth in the child
• trouble concentrating
• childhood asthma and other breathing problems
• insomnia (not able to sleep)
• anxiety • restless feelings • increased hunger leading to weight gain Withdrawal may be harder for some than others. No one really knows why. Everyone is different.
elapse R Relapse is when you begin using tobacco again after you have already quit. Many who try to quit relapse. Most successful quitters try 2 - 6 times before it lasts. If you relapse, don’t give up, and don’t be too hard on yourself.
Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. ®
Atlanta, GA 800-241-4925 Providing Quality Health Education Materials Since 1973 Copyright © 2006 Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. DO NOT DUPLICATE.
Product # 633