Smoking is a legal drug that kills, sometimes causing sudden kills a heart attack or gradually by lung cancer, a pancreatic cancer or emphysema (which basically is a destruction of the lungs that disqualifies the individual to breathe properly .)
The nicotine contained in cigarettes is an addictive substance, which interacts with a central nervous system receptors, making the smoker feel a sense of wellbeing. On the other hand, when the person tries to quit smoking, the decrease in nicotine levels will cause the individual anxiety, headache, moodiness and an almost unbearable desire to smoke (among other things).
In the United States about 25 million men and nearly 20 million women use tobacco. In the Hispanic population, 19% of men smoke and 11% of women. Many try to kick the habit, but many do not. “Quitting smoking is the easiest thing in the world, I know because I’ve tried a thousand times” – Mark Twain. Statistics.
Recently, the FDA approved a new drug that promises to be quite useful for those who want to quit smoking. This drug is called Chantix (Verenicline). Chantix works in central nicotine receptors and helps the smoker in two ways: 1) reduces withdrawal symptoms once a person stops smoking and 2) decreases the pleasurable effects of cigarette smoking, making the experience less pleasant for the person . These two effects increase the possibility that the individual to abstain completely.
Several studies show that clinicians approximately 50% of people who use the drug properly manage abstain. The abstention rate is higher than that observed with Zyban (bupropion ), another frequently utilza medicines for this purpose.
Chantix, like all other drugs, may cause some side effects. Most have been reported so far are nausea, insomnia and headache. These symptoms should be discussed with your doctor as soon as possible.
This medicine is not a magic bullet. The individual must do their part and follow a multidisciplinary plan ( see protocol of the American Heart Association) Whether other therapies such as nicotine replacement (gum, patch etc.) as general guidance on adverse effects of smoking and smoking cessation remain crucial elements in the patient’s treatment. Please ask your doctor as soon as possible about the benefits of Chantix and other treatments available that can help you break the habit.
