Quitting Smoking - It's Never Too Late!

If we are struggling with quitting smoking, don't give up, and don't be discouraged. Whether we are a smoker or non-smoker, whether you have tried to quit or not, it's no secret that quitting smoking is incredibly difficult due to physical and psychological dependences. However, millions of people have accomplished this feat, and success is certainly possible if we are a smoker desiring to quit. By focusing on physical benefits of kicking this habit, we are more likely to realize that short- and long-term benefits far outweigh temporary fleeting pleasures a cigarette produces. It's unbelievable ( yet true! ) how much healthier your body will become upon smoking cessation. As WhyQuit. com says, " Your body's ability to mend is beauty to behold! '�1

Some smokers are discouraged, believing that smoking has already caused too much damage to their bodies. No matter how long you've been smoking, we will ALWAYS benefit by quitting. The human body is amazingly resilient. According to About. com, " Within the first 20 minutes of quitting, the healing process begins. '�2 In just a third of an hour, we are already on your way to complete health restoration. One smoker of 25 years described an extensive list of many benefits that they have enjoyed after having quit only six months before.

A group of recent successful quitters were surveyed about benefits enjoyed since quitting. Among the responses weren't being tired during day and sleeping soundly at night, being able to smell again, having a clearer complexion, improved resistance to allergies and asthma, sharper thinking, whiter teeth, and simply having ability to breathe better.

Cardiovascular Benefits

Within only twenty minutes of your last cigarette, we will obtain normal blood pressure and pulse rates. As early as three weeks after quitting, your circulation has improved. Between two weeks and three months of smoking cessation, your risk of experiencing a heart attack has begun to drop, and within a year, your risk of developing coronary heart disease is reduced to less than half that of a smoker. Five to fifteen years later, your stroke risk has dropped to that of a non-smoker. Additionally, after fifteen years ( be patient! ) , your risk of coronary heart disease is now reduced to that of a person who has never smoked.

Respiratory Benefits

Within a mere twelve hours of quitting smoking, your blood oxygen level has increased to normal and the level of carbon monoxide is reduced to normal. After three days, your bronchial tubes have begun relaxing, allowing easier breathing, and your lung capacity is growing. Between one and nine months, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath have decreased. At this point, cilia lining lungs have re-grown, allowing the body to filter air it breathes. This keeps system purer and reduces the risk of infection. After ten years, your risk of developing lung cancer is reduced to half if you had been an average smoker of one pack per day.

Throughout Body

After only two days of quitting, harmed nerve ending begin to re-grow, and your senses of taste and smell are returning to normal. Only three days are required for your body to be able to test 100% nicotine free. Additionally, 90% of nicotine metabolites have passed from body through urinary system. At this point, your body is most likely experiencing greatest withdrawal ( hang on - worst is almost over! ) Within a week and a half to two weeks, your body has adjusted to functioning without 3, 500 chemicals and 500 gases in each puff of smoke. Between three weeks and three months, walking has become easier, and any nagging cough will have disappeared. At six-month mark, headaches, yellow teeth, bloodshot eyes, yellow skin, gravel voice, and constant stuffy nose have all disappeared. In less than nine months, as a result of many benefits that body has already experienced, your overall energy has increased. After ten years, your risk of developing cancers in mouth, esophagus, and throat have decreased.

Fifteen years after quitting, it is almost as if we had never smoked for many regions of body. That means a 40 year-old who quits smoking is more likely to be able to enjoy spending time with grandchildren, travel freely with a spouse, or engage in sports or other activities well after retirement.

Clearly there are immediate and delayed benefits of quitting smoking. While some require much more patience in obtaining benefits, all the effects of quitting smoking, though not necessarily immediately beneficial or enjoyable, are completely positive. Your body will thank you and reward we with better health and quality of life.

Paul Galla, President Signs-America

http: //www. no-smoking-signs. com

1 http: //whyquit. com/whyquit/A_Benefits_Time_Table. html

2 http: //quitsmoking. about. com

Medical advises for your health improvement

Diazepam: useful modern medicine.

Diazepam: uses

Diazepam is used to treat episodes of increased seizures ( e. g. , acute repetitive seizures, breakthrough seizures ) in people who are already taking medications to control their seizures. Diazepam is only recommended for short-term treatment of seizure attacks. It isn't for ongoing daily use to prevent seizures. Uncontrolled seizures can turn into serious ( possibly fatal ) seizures that don't stop ( status epilepticus ) .

Diazepam belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines which produce a calming effect on the brain and nerves ( central nervous system ) . It is thought to work by increasing effect of a certain natural chemical ( GABA ) in the brain.

Diazepam: how to use

Read the Patient/Caregiver Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before we use Diazepam and each time you get a refill. If we have questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Diazepam is given rectally by a caregiver trained to recognize the symptoms of your seizures and to correctly give product. We and your caregivers must follow all instructions from your doctor and pharmacist exactly. Review all instructions on how to give Diazepam in the product package. If we have any questions or feel unsure about using Diazepam, call doctor or pharmacist before using Diazepam. Get emergency help if person is having a seizure and you don't feel comfortable using Diazepam.

Before using, check the syringe for correct dose. Your pharmacist should set the correct dose and lock syringe in " ready " position before giving you product. Before leaving pharmacy, look at each syringe. The dose should be in the display window on side. You should see a green band with word " ready " at bottom of syringe barrel. Look to make sure we have correct syringe tip ( e. g. , smaller tip for a child ) and that there are no cracks around syringe tip. Return the product to pharmacist if there's a problem or if we have any questions

Cracks can cause the medication to leak out and not provide correct amount of medication. If we see a crack, use a different syringe. Cracks can appear over time, so keep checking your syringes to make sure we have good ones ready to use. Also check expiration date on package, and refill your prescription before medication expires.

The dosage is based on age, weight, medical condition, and response to therapy. Be sure you understand when Diazepam should be used, how to use it, and how to check for side effects/seizure control. In some cases, a second dose may be prescribed and given 4 to 12 hours after first dose. Usually, Diazepam shouldn't be used to treat more than 5 episodes per month and no more than one episode every 5 days. If seizures continue after using Diazepam as prescribed ( e. g. , no change 15 minutes after dose is given ) , or if there's a change in the person's breathing, behavior, or condition that alarms you, get emergency help right away.

Diazepam shouldn't be used regularly. This medication may cause dependence when it has been used regularly for a long time ( more than a few weeks ) or if it has been used in high doses. In such cases, if you suddenly stop Diazepam, withdrawal reactions may occur while use Diazepam. Such reactions can include increased seizures. Report any such reactions to your doctor immediately. When stopping extended, regular treatment with Diazepam, gradually reducing dosage as directed will help prevent withdrawal reactions. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Though it's very unlikely to occur, Diazepam can also result in abnormal drug-seeking behavior ( addiction/habit forming ) . Don't increase your dose, take it more frequently, or use it for a longer time than prescribed.

Dispose of Diazepam properly. Follow directions in the Patient Information Leaflet. Don't reuse the syringe.

Do not stop taking your regular seizure control medications when we are given Diazepam.

Diazepam: side effects

Drowsiness, dizziness, diarrhea, and unsteadiness may occur. If these persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed Diazepam because he or she has judged that benefit to we is greater than risk of side effects. Many people using Diazepam do not have serious side effects. Diazepam stays in body for a long time. Be sure to watch for reactions for at least 4 hours after giving medication.

Seek immediate medical attention if any of these unlikely but very serious side effects occur:

A serious allergic reaction to Diazepam is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include:

This isn't a complete list of possible side effects. If we notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Diazepam: precautions

Before using Diazepam, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're allergic to it; or to other benzodiazepines ( e. g. , oxazepam, temazepam ) ; or if you have any other allergies.

Diazepam shouldn't be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if we have:

Before using Diazepam, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

Diazepam may make we dizzy or drowsy; use caution while engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving, riding a bicycle, or using machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages.

To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

Caution is advised when using Diazepam in elderly because they may be more sensitive to effects of Diazepam, especially drowsiness effect.

Diazepam isn't recommended for use during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think we may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Consult your doctor for more details.

Diazepam may pass into breast milk. Because of possible harm to infant, breast-feeding while using Diazepam is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Diazepam: interactions

Your healthcare professionals ( e. g. , doctor or pharmacist ) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop or change dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

Diazepam should not be used with following medications because a very serious interaction may occur while use Diazepam:

If we are currently using either of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before using Diazepam.

Before using Diazepam, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of:

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if we also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: antidepressants ( e. g. , amitriptyline, nefazodone ) , certain antihistamines ( e. g. , diphenhydramine ) , anti-seizure drugs ( e. g. , carbamazepine, phenobarbital, valproate ) , medicine for sleep or anxiety ( e. g. , alprazolam, kava, zolpidem ) , muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers ( e. g. , codeine ) , psychiatric medicines ( e. g. , chlorpromazine, risperidone ) .

Diazepam contains a small amount of alcohol. Tell your doctor if you are taking drugs such as disulfiram or metronidazole that can can cause an unpleasant reaction when combined with alcohol.

Avoid alcohol when using Diazepam because it may increase side effects such as difficulty breathing and drowsiness.

Check labels on all your medicines ( e. g. , cough-and-cold products ) because they may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients. Ask your pharmacist about safe use of those products.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using Diazepam, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Diazepam: overdose

If overdose of Diazepam is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include confusion, slow reflexes, clumsiness, deep sleep, and loss of consciousness.

Diazepam: notes

Do not share Diazepam with others. It's against law.

Diazepam: missed dose

Not applicable.

Diazepam: storage

Store Diazepam at room temperature at 77 degrees F ( 25 degrees C ) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F ( 15-30 degrees C ) is permitted. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Properly discard Diazepam when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Diazepam with EU shipping

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