Tag: quitting naturally

Coughing After Quitting Smoking What To Do?

POST QUIT Smokers Cough – Take Care

Some may notice increase in coughing when they stop smoking. This is only for short period of time and is not a part of the withdrawal symptoms. So why does it occur?  One thing is for sure – DO NOT GO BACK TO SMOKING! Post quit smokers cough is a bodies reaction to healing and need to be managed.

COUGHING – OUR BODY’S NATURAL PROTECTION

The respiratory system – Trachea and bronchus are lined by mucus and Cilia (which are hair like projections). The sticky mucus layer traps the harmful particles we inhale and the thousands of cilia which lines the tract, with rapid movements push the trapped harmful particles with affected mucus upwards out into the throat which is now either spitted or swallowed. This natural protection keeps our trachea healthy and free from infection and diseases.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A PERSON SMOKES?

The protection is overwhelmed. The tar in smoke gets deposited in the trachea forming thick layers. The chemicals added in cigarettes paralyses the cilia. The person is prone for higher infection and the inhaled toxic particles from smoke, inhaled dust, germs etc remain inside the lungs with increase risk of infection and respiratory diseases like chronic bronchitis and lung cancer.

COUGHING ON CESSATION (QUITTING SMOKING)

On cessation the body starts healing and the cilia starts recovering! With gradual recovery the mucus with toxic materials is pushed out into the throat. This causes cough for the first couple of months till one is free of toxins and complete recovery of ciliary function is attained.

WHAT TO DO FOR THE COUGH?

The fact is cleansing should continue, it is helping our body get rid of toxins and pollutants –

  • No cough suppressants, but mucolytic and bronchodilators where indicated may be used.
  • Drink plenty of water, juices or tea. (4Ds of Tobacco Cessation )
  • Ayurvedic drink like mulethi (licorice) or Kaadha or just honey can soothe out the throat. Watch video – Natural Home treatment for Smoker’s Cough
  • Nebuliser with simple saline water or otherwise steam inhalation to keep the tract humidified
  • Acapella a magnetic respiratory device helps in opening up the alveoli and loosen mucus increasing the oxygenation power of the lungs.

SOMETHING IS SERIOUS IF YOU SEE THESE SYMPTOMS?

If any of these symptoms below are noticed, the doctor has to be consulted – mostly it is due to inflammation and can be treated. Any other hidden signs need a Specialist’s attention.

  • Breathing difficulty – breathlessness on mild exertion or at rest.
  • Wheezing – stridor like sound indicates airway constriction
  • Blood in sputum -Blood in cough

Well friends, smoking or tobacco withdrawal do cause some discomfort, but these are part of healing process and are temporary. These should not be deterrents of cessation.

The benefits of quitting smoking are undeniable although the quit journey may be a little bumpy. It is better and easier to quit before you start showing symptoms of change in your body due to tobacco use.

ICanCaRe team of Certified tobacco Cessation Specialists and Quit Coaches work with you to make your journey smooth and easy.

ICanCaRe Tobacco Wellness Centres with its India’s first digital protocol based assessment process guide intervention as per requirements.

Call 011-430-77695 or visit ICanCaRe Webpage to seek assistance for quitting tobacco completely. Make your journey of quitting easy and pleasurable with the experts. 

Will Power and Quit Tobacco

Quitting is Easy and Just a Call Away! Call 011-430-77695 Today for Assistance!

Just like real muscles, your willpower can experience fatigue. This is why using willpower exercises repeatedly to deal with tempting situations, such as people offering you a cigarette, may lead to a smoking slip-up.

It’s a good idea to bear this in mind and have a plan for managing these situations or if you feel your willpower fading.

A common belief among smokers is that you either have willpower or you don’t.

However, willpower is often linked to motivation – and the great thing about motivation is that you have the power to change it! If you have low levels of willpower or motivation now, it doesn’t mean they’ll stay low.

The trick is to make a start on developing your willpower.

Do check your will power index on the ICanCaRe APP – Download here.

Will power off course is an important component of tobacco cessation but that alone may not be enough.  At some point of time it may get overwhelmed, and you slip and that would be start of relapse. The withdrawal and cravings are not just hearsay but real, this needs a support of tobacco cessation specialist to help you during your journey. If one is contemplating to quit, the ICanCaRe cessation specialist makes an individualized plan that may include your behaviour therapy and medicines. Adhering to the plan needs regular reinforcement and that is provided by the unique Tobacco Quit Coach on a regular basis. Review of the plan is done regularly and challenges addressed.

ICanCaRe Tobacco wellness centre is here to provide you the means and solutions to your Quit Journey.

8 Ayurvedic Foods to Reduce Cravings for Tobacco

Ayurveda for Controlling Tobacco Cravings

Since time immemorial, much has been said about the harmful effects of tobacco. Every person who consumes tobacco in any form is aware of the fact that this habit could eventually kill them and yet they continue to use this harmful substance. Tobacco and its additives has carcinogenic properties which lead to a variety of cancers and other ailments. Despite knowing all this, people are unwilling to stop the use of tobacco.

Once the tobacco consumers start experiencing the advanced signs of harms of tobacco use, they start thinking about quitting. The most challenging part is to manage the cravings and urges occurring from not consuming tobacco.

This blog elucidates 8 Ayurvedic foods that can help to manage the urge during the quit process.

1. Herbal Tea

A herbal tea made with equal amounts of jatasmi, brahmi and chamomile reduces the urge to use tobacco.

Mix 1 teaspoon of this blend in a cup of hot water, and drink it sip by sip, to relieve the desire to smoke.

2. Ginger

Ginger has Sulphur compounds which help in reducing tobacco addiction. Soak pieces of ginger in lemon juice, sprinkle black pepper and store it in a container. Whenever you get the urge to use tobacco or smoke, just suck into the pieces of ginger and you will notice the difference. You can also use pieces of dried pineapple and honey to do the trick.

3. Ginseng

This magical root not only reduces cravings but also helps the body to deal withdrawal symptoms like mood swings, irritability and stress.

4. Ajwain

Regularly chewing the seeds of ajwain when you crave for tobacco, will help you do away with tobacco addiction.

5. Cinnamon

Whenever you feel the urge to use tobacco, consume a piece of cinnamon. It will definitely help you deal with the craving.

6. Triphala

Consuming one tablespoon of triphala every night helps in clearing the toxic elements from your body which in turn reduces the craving for tobacco use.

7. Tulsi leaves

Chewing on 2-3 leaves of Holy basil every morning and evening helps reduce the craving for tobacco usage. It also helps cure problems caused by the earlier usage of tobacco.

8. Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha helps the body rid toxins and alleviate anxiety levels. Taking 450 mg to 2 g of ashwagandha powder can relieve you of tobacco addiction.

These foods will help you delay the urge to smoke or chew. When you keep delaying the urges, you are in turn reducing the intake of your tobacco and also detoxifying your body of the toxins thereby making your body healthier and helping you to quit tobacco by reducing your cravings to consume tobacco.