The
decision to quit smoking can be a difficult one. The fact that
you are reading this means that you or someone you love may
be ready to make that decision. You are, without a doubt, making
the right choice. Smoking is the number one preventable cause
of disease and death in the United States. By quitting now,
you are on your way to better health and a longer life. This
article will focus on the use of nicotine nasal spray to help
you quit.
There
are several weapons to choose from as you prepare to fight your
smoking habit. For many, quitting will be the most difficult
battle they have ever fought. There should be no sense of shame
or embarrassment if you need help in order to stop smoking.
Sometimes, we all need a little help!
Ask
your doctor what treatments are appropriate for you. Therapies
range from nicotine nasal spray and a drug called Zyban
(which used to be used to treat depression) to acupuncture and
hypnosis. Each person must try to find the treatment that works
for him or her. Remember, however, that there is no "magic bullet"
that will make you quit smoking. You have to be motivated to
quit and prepared to work every day to overcome your addiction.
The
nicotine nasal spray is available as a prescription drug. It
is designed to deliver nicotine in a more rapid manner than
the nicotine patch or gum, which makes the spray more similar
to smoking a cigarette in terms of nicotine delivery to the
body. Peak levels of nicotine occur in the blood within ten
minutes of use and are roughly two-thirds as high as the level
that occurs after smoking a cigarette. The device itself is
similar to other nasal spray devices used for allergy and cold-type
symptoms.
In
scientific studies, those who used the nicotine nasal spray
were able to quit smoking twice as often as those who used no
therapy at all (i.e. those who quit "cold turkey"). This makes
the nasal spray equally effective compared to the nicotine patch,
gum
or Zyban. Actually, all of the above mentioned therapies are
roughly equal in effectiveness, so the choice is often based
on a persons preference of one therapy or their inability to
use one or more of the available therapy options.
Normally,
the spray is used once or twice per hour while awake for roughly
three months. Your use may be slightly different depending on
your individual circumstances. The spray can be used more often
than the scheduled doses on an "as needed" basis (i.e. for "break
through" cravings). In some circumstances, the nasal spray may
be used together with another therapy.
Side
effects of the nicotine nasal spray are generally mild, but
fairly common. Most people initially experience nasal and throat
irritation, a runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing and coughing.
It is important to know, however, that tolerance generally occurs
to these effects after one week. There have been people who
need the nasal spray for longer periods of time but most are
able to come off the spray within one year.
Persons
using the nicotine spray should not smoke. There is a danger
that the levels of nicotine could get too high and become toxic.
This is even more important for those who are pregnant or have
heart disease because toxic levels of nicotine can have deleterious
effects on the heart and may be harmful to the developing fetus.
Talk
to your doctor today about using the nicotine nasal spray. Most
people can tolerate the nicotine spray without difficulty. As
other articles on this website discuss, there are also alternative
therapies that may be preferable in your individual circumstance,
including Zyban, the patch and nicotine gum.
While
quitting smoking may at times seem like an impossible goal to
reach, it is worth the effort. There are several different options
available to help you achieve your goal, including the nicotine
nasal spray. Remember that many people who quit smoking tried
five or more times before they were successful. As the old adage
tells us: "If at first you dont succeed, try, try again."
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