The Electronic Cigarette – Powerful Aide to Quit Smoking?

Posted on June 9th, 2009

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One of the most interesting and potentially effective tool in helping to overcome your addiction to smoking has to be the electronic cigarette.

What you might ask is an electronic cigarette?

Well put simply it is a device that is typically shaped like a cigarette but is usually battery powered.  My guess is that it is shaped like any other cigarette to mimic one and help it be effective.

In the device is a part that when the person inhales it, there is a small amount of steam that is generated and pumped through the filter area which contains nicotine…BUT none of the harmful toxins, tar and actual smoke found in regular cigarettes.

The inhaled steam feels very much like taking a drag of a normal cigarette!  I was quite shocked when I tried one the first time.  I was expecting something rather pathetic in terms of offering an effective smoking cessation product.  Needless to say, after taking a very big puff on it I nearly coughed!

Another very cool thing with an electronic cigarette is the replaceable carttridges come in a variety of different flavors.  It pretty much kicks a menthol cigarettes butt! And the best thing about these things is that you are becoming much more healthy and no longer have that stale ashtray order on you!

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Stop Smoking – Why Quit Smoking?

Posted on February 17th, 2009

Those who smoke find it pleasurable, up to a point. That, after all, is why so many do it. If there were no gain, the practice would rapidly die out. But a lot of meaning is stuffed into that innocent phrase Although the short term benefits of smoking cigarettes is real, impairment] is every bit as real – and it is potentially more life-threating and long lasting

There are several common factors that tend to lead someone to smoke. Stress, peer pressure and other psychological factors are present for virtually everyone. Many rather use a toxic chemical instead of a healthier means of dealing with them. But the long range results can be dreadful|But the long term consequences can be frightening.

Studies show that 87 percent of lung cancer cases reported can be traced to long-term, heavy smoking. The odds of stroke are 2 to 4 times higher for smokers than non-smokers. The risks of coronary heart disease are similar. Equally as frightening are the statistics for COPDs (chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases), such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis or asthma. It is shown that of COPD cases are among those who smoke.

The specific scientific facts took a few generations to establish. And now there are thousands of case studies that correlate smoking with ill health effects. While the exact causes and links between smoking and stroke or cancer are still not fully established, the correlation is overwhelming.

The relationship, for example, between the increased build up of fatty deposits on the arteries as a result of smoking is well established. The effects on the lungs as tar builds up in the alveoli are plain to see. The hacking, reduced energy and other effects require no scientific study to know.

Several dozen carcinogenic compounds have been identified in cigarette smoke. They range from such familiar terms as tar and benzene to nitrosamines. Carbon monoxide is present in cigarette smoke, where it binds with hemoglobin to deprive the blood stream of needed oxygen.

To quit smoking isn’t easy. On average, only 6% succeed in stopping smoking permanently the first time they try. But it’s possible to be in that group, and to increase that number by joining it.

As with any long term health decision, it requires willpower. But that mental commitment can be aided by counseling as well as a wide range of products available today. Nicotine gum, patches and inhalers can help. Several non-nicotine alternatives are on the market, too. Anti-depressants like Zyban are an option. A newer prescription drug called Chantix has shown promise.

Dealing with the consequences of stopping smoking are trying. Weight gain is possible. Cravings are almost inevitable, for a while. But the long term benefits of quitting are real, immediate and enormous.

Within a few years, the risks of stroke and heart disease return to what they are for non-smokers. The skin regenerates to a normal state. The overall energy level rises and the body and mind are better able to deal with the normal challenges of life.

So, quit smoking now and lead a smoke free life. The alternative is grim.

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Smoke your last cigarette

Posted on February 13th, 2009

Scare tactics are futile, the Surgeon General and the World Health Organization would say. Warnings on cigarette packs and the WHO study that says tobacco makes 5.4 million kills per year are no match to nicotine addiction. Cigarette smoke carries tar, which contains more than 1,000 chemicals, including more than 60 compounds that are known to cause cancer, but for most nicotine addicts, only death or terminal disease can make them stop smoking.

It is notoriously difficult to quit smoking. The common short-term effects of smoking cessation are increased irritability, depression, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, increased appetite, rhinorrhea (runny nose), cough, and increased susceptibility to upper respiratory tract infections. These side effects, however, are minor compared to the health benefits of smoking cessation.

Smokers who can’t muster enough will power to beat the habit can significantly improve his chances at successfully doing so with several smoking-cessation aids. A smoker can try nicotine patches, gums lozenges, sprays and inhalers. Support groups are a dial away and self-help guides are within reach. He can smoke tobacco-free herbal cigarettes, take kava- or chamomile-based preparations, or try aromatherapy and vaporizers. Laser therapy, acupuncture and spirituality are options too. But there’s a popular new kid on the block: hypnotherapy.

According to new research, hypnosis is really a wakeful state of focused attention and heightened suggestibility, with diminished peripheral awareness. Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis in psychotherapy. Hypnosis may be used by qualified physicians and psychiatrists as an aid in the treatment of anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, eating disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder and compulsive gambling. Of course, it also works for people who want to stop smoking.

There is a lot of debate regarding whether or not hypnosis quit-smoking treatments are actually useful in the long term. However, there has been much research conducted regarding the treatments, and the consensus is that hypnosis treatments are just as effective as the products that help people stop smoking. During a hypnosis session, the therapist may repeat certain phrases discussing the unhealthy nature of smoking, and he or she may give certain cues that help the patient avoid or deal with his or her cravings.

The best thing about hypnotherapy is that it does not introduce any new drug into your system. As they say, it’s all in the mind. Conveniently, you don’t have to search the local directory for any hypnotherapist to try it. Certified hypnotherapists Jesse Berg and Steven B. Schneider have created the ‘Quit Smoking Hypnosis MP3.’ They won’t guarantee any miracle but if you listen to the audio, you’ll feel different the next time you take a drag on that cigarette, if you still can.

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Considering Air Filters & Honeywell Air Filters

Posted on February 9th, 2009

Are you in the market for an hunter air purifier filters? Air purifiers are electric machines that are used to eliminate harmful particles or contaminants from the air. If used inside your home, air purifiers will help to make the air that you and your family breathes cleaner. For that reason, there is a good chance that you would be in the market for a new air purifier, if not now then in the future.

When it comes to buying honeywell hepa air filter, there are many consumers who think they know what to look for. Many of those consumers end up purchasing the lowest costing machine or the one that looks the best. Of course, you will not want to pay more than you have to and a good looking machine would be nice, but you are advised against basing your decisions solely on that. Instead, you will want to take the time to understand the product you are interested, namely the price of the purifier, as a whole, and the performance quality.

Perhaps, the first step in buying a home air filters is to familiarize yourself with all of your available options. You can do this two different ways. The first way involves visiting one of your local retail stores. You will want to thoroughly examine each product that they have available. This should be done by reading the information which can be found on honeywell air filters boxes. In addition to comparing prices and products at the store, you can also use the internet. In fact, the internet may be the easiest way. Online, you can not only familiarize yourself with different air cleaning machines, but you can also read product reviews.

If you have the opportunity, you are advised to read online reviews of multiple air purifiers. These reviews should give you inside information on the operation and maintenance of multiple air purifiers. Although product reviews are nice, you are also advised to do your own research, as well as use your common sense. This is important, especially when determining the final cost of purchasing an air purifier.

With air furnace air filter, you will find a number of different make and models. Some of these makes and models use filers. With certain types of filters, many just need to be cleaned, but others need to be replaced. If you need to replace the filter in an hvac air filter, you need to determine when that filter needs to be changed and exactly how much it will cost. This is extremely important, especially if you are shopping on a budget. In some cases, you will find that some air purifiers need to have their filters replaced in as little as a couple of months. You may also find that the filter ends up costing more than you originally paid for the air purifier. You are urged to stay away from these types of cleaning machines; many times they are not just considered air cleaners, but financial traps.

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Duct Cleaning and Allergies

Posted on February 4th, 2009

If your ducts are not cleaned regularly, you may be increasing your risk of suffering from the many symptoms and illnesses associated with indoor air pollution. Many types of pollutants and small particles can collect within the ducts that include mold, fungus, dust, bacteria and viruses as well as other outdoor pollutants, such as exhaust fumes, pollen and animal hair. The more these particles collect within the ducts, the higher chance you have of developing illnesses and symptoms associated with poor indoor air quality. If you have allergies, you are even more susceptible to the high concentration of contaminants that may be circulating within your home.

Poor indoor air quality can cause a variety of symptoms that include nausea, headaches, respiratory illness, congestion, eye and nose irritation, runny nose, trouble concentrating, malaise (generally not feeling well) and lethargy. It also increases the risk of contracting illnesses such as colds, flu and fungal or other infections. Indoor air pollution greatly contributes to the amount of severity of symptoms suffered by those with allergies and can even contribute to the development of new allergies.

Many times we do not think about the quality of air we air we breathe while inside our homes. However, the American Lung Association estimates that we spend anywhere from 60-90% of our time indoors. Usually, the pollutants and fine particles found within the air we breathe indoors are at substantially higher levels of concentration compared to the air outdoors. This makes those with allergies at especially high risk for the health problems associated with poor indoor air quality that may in part be attributed to the debris collected within our ducts.

Dust buildup is the most common cause of asthma and is also the biggest allergen within the home. The more dust buildup there is, the more dust mites there will be, which are true causes of dust allergies. The large quantities of dust mites that are found with collections of dust within your ducts and airborne dust particles are a major contributor to the allergy symptoms experienced by the vast majority people. It is hard to rid your house of dust and avoid the health risks of the allergic reactions attributed to dust mites if there is a large amount of dust buildup within your ducts. This dust is then circulated in high concentrations within your home and is breathed in causing a much higher risk of allergy symptoms and allergic reactions within the body.

Regular air duct cleaning is essential for clean indoor air quality and the reduction of the potential health hazards associated with indoor air pollution. It is even more essential for those that suffer from allergies to avoid the severe symptoms associated with them. Dust is the most common allergy, but many other allergens can be found in high concentrations within the ducts and in the indoor air you breathe including pollen, animal hair and fungus. If you do your duct cleaning regularly, you will find this will greatly reduce and even relieve the many allergy symptoms you are experiencing and will also reduce your chance for other indoor air pollution health risks.

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