Smoking: Should I Use Nicotine Replacement to Quit?

Making health decisions is part of our life. These decisions can have a big effect on your health and happiness. Some decisions are suggestive of how good you take care of your health. Others may affect how much it costs. Most people feel better about their health when they are able to take part in these decisions. As you read along, you will understand how your choices affect your health, whether you take part in the decision or ask your doctor to decide. Your decision should ideally be based on both medical facts as well as your own feelings.

Your Choices

1. You can try to quit smoking without using nicotine replacement medicines, such as through nicotine gum, patches, inhalers, or lozenges. 
2. You can use nicotine replacements to help you deal with cravings and withdrawal symptoms, such as getting irritated easily.

Key Points In Making Your Decision

In the past, the only way to quit smoking was to slowly reduce how much you smoked or to quit all at once. Today, you have the choice of using nicotine products or prescription medicines that can make quitting easier. These also work if you smoke cigars or pipes and may work for other tobacco products as well, such as chew or snuff. 

Consider The Following Factors When You Make Your Decision:

1. Studies have shown that using nicotine replacements doubles your chances of quitting smoking. 
2. Withdrawal symptoms and cravings lead to the craving to go back to smoking. Nicotine replacement helps relieve these symptoms. 
3. Your insurance company may pay for all of it or part of it. Even if you require paying for nicotine replacements yourself, consider how much money you will save by not having to buy tobacco anymore. 
4. If you are pregnant, have heart problems, take mental health medicines, or is below the age of 
   18, discuss with your doctor before using nicotine replacements.

Types of Nicotine Replacements

Nicotine replacements are in the form of gums, lozenges, patches, and inhalers. Any of these can aid you to quit smoking, but you might prefer one kind over another.

Here Are Some Things To Consider While Making That Choice:

1. Nicotine gums, lozenges, and inhalers can be used to ease sudden urges to smoke. 
2. A nicotine patch may be a good option if you prefer putting on a patch in the morning and forgetting about it until bedtime. 
3. Your doctor could suggest that you use more than one type. For example, if you are using the patch, maybe gum can help you in times when you need extra aid to help you out. 
4. You can get nicotine gum, lozenges, and patches without a prescription. Additionally, the gum and lozenges come in different strengths and flavours. 
5. If you are pregnant or under 18, your doctor may want you to try other ways of quitting before considering a nicotine patch or other products.

You May Want To Consider Nicotine Replacement If Any Of These Apply To You:

1. You are ready to quit. 
2. You need help with nicotine cravings or withdrawal symptoms. 
3. You are not ready to quit nicotine, but you want to quit smoking.