Stop smoking with smoking cessation aids

Quitting smoking making the use of stop smoking aids also called as smoking cessation drugs are catching up on the minds of consumers or rather, smokers who want to quit smoking. As a result, these want-to-be-ex-smokers are trying their best to figure out which stop smoking aids are best suited for smoking cessation. This task can be daunting taking into consideration the huge number of smoking cessation drugs which are present in the market. Add to this the vast information on the internet and other such resources, much which maybe misleading.

Deciding which stop smoking aids will effectively help to quit smoking is therefore not easy. Moreover, these stop smoking aids are sometimes very similar in their working and mechanism but have different degrees of effect on various individuals. Advisably, it is recommended to consult one’s medical supervisor about these stop smoking aids and how they bring about smoking cessation in a particular individual. Some very important questions to ask are:

• What are various stop smoking aids in the market?
• How do these stop smoking aids effect an individual?
• What areas do these stop smoking aids effect in the body?
• Which stop smoking aids are best suited to this indivdual?
• The possible side effects of these stop smoking aids?
• Which medications are needed with these stop smoking aids?
• Where can one purchase these stop smoking aids?

Research in medicine has led to various new stop smoking aids. These not only try to help a person to quit smoking, but also ensure that the person does not pick up on the habit of smoking and remains smoke free. All such medications and prescriptions must be used after consulation from a registered medical supervisor. Here are some popular stop smoking aids that have helped hundreds of smokers to quit smoking.

Nicotine replacement therapy

Why is this cessation aid needed?

• This is the primary and most important stop smoking aid that is used by smokers to quit smoking. This is because nicotine is the main chemical present in cigarettes and tobacco that causes addiction both physically and psychologically.
• During the process of quitting smoking, mostly everyone experiences nicotine withdrawl symptoms and these vary in different people in their nature and severity.
• Along with this, sleep problems, body aches, head aches, nauseatic feelings, depression and irritability are also felt in people who have quit smoking.
• Even though the peak withdrawl lasts of a week or two, they last for months. Even if one drag of a cigarette is taken, the entire cycle is repeated and the smoker reaches back to square one. No progress.

How does nicotine replacement therapy work?

Using a combination of devices and carriers, small quantities of nicotine are given to the smoker. Devices include :

• Nicotine sprays
• Nicotine lozenges
• Nicotine inhalers
• Nicotine patches
• Nicotine gums

As is widely known, nicotine replacement therapy has many benefits associated with it compared to other stop smoking aids and therapies. Some of the benefits of nicotine replacement therapy are:

• Provides relief to the ex-smoker from the physical symptoms of smoking and nicotine withdrawl.
  The ex-smoker can thus concentrate on the pathological and mental withdrawl symptoms.
• As the amount of nicotine is gradually lowered, one does not feel the extreme lack of nicotine as in the cold turkey method of quitting smoking.
• Nicotine replacement therapy can be safely used with other cessation therapies as this primarily focuses on the physical aspects of the body.

Possible side effects include head aches, nausea, sleep disorders etc but these are not too harsh generally. Special care should be taken to avoid smoking especially because one has chances of overdosing on nicotine and that can lead to very serious health issues.

Some popular stop smoking nicotine products:

1. Nicotine gum as a stop smoking aid for cessation:

Nicotine gum is sold widely in pharmacies and chemist shops. Nicotine gum is very convenient as it allows the smoker to have his quota of nicotine as an well he feels like. Nicotine gum is not generally meant to be chewed but kept aside in the mouth and this is irritating sometimes. Otherwise, nicotine gum is safe and easy to use as a stop smoking aid for cessation.

2. Nicotine patches as a stop smoking aid for smoking cessation:
Nicotine patches are also a common form of stop smoking aids which are used for cessation of smoking. Nicotine patches help a smoker to smoothly make a smoker get used to living without nicotine and in the process, making him quit smoking. Nicotine patches are also available at medical stores. It recommended that one take expert medical advise before making the use of nicotine patches and other similar stop smoking aids to quit smoking.

3. Nicotine inhalers as a stop smoking aid:
Nicotine inhalers are pretty much like common inhalers which many people use for asthmatic problems and breathing problems. In this, nicotine is dispersed in the form of a vapor and the smoker who wants to quit smoking inhales this nicotine. Nicotine inhalers are infact a very close method of nicotine replacement therapy as the mode if nicotine is pretty much similar as in the case of cigarettes.
Other stop smoking aids in the market

Nicotine replacement so far is the commonest form through which many smokers successfully manage to quit smoking, even with little will power. But apart from nicotine replacement therapies to stop smoking, there are some other stop smoking aids which are also available in the market and are increasingly becoming popular with quit smoking enthusiasts. Two of the popular stop smoking aids which are used by a sizeable number of smokers are:

• Chantix
• Zyban