Question

Please give me some ideas on the topic of quitting smoking. For instance, should I quit cold turkey? I have degenerative arthritis of the neck and spine and also a herniated disc, and I have been reading articles that say if I quit smoking my pain may not be as bad.

Answer

Congratulations on your resolve to quit smoking. I think you will find there are many health and financial benefits to quitting once and for all. I've compiled a list of the problems that can occur with tobacco use:

1. Addictiveness -- The addictive potential of nicotine is similar to that of heroin.

2. Back Pain -- Smoking is a major risk factor in recovery from back pain, because poor oxygen levels of those who smoke prevent lumbar disks from being adequately oxygenated.

3. Bladder Cancer -- Smoking causes 40% of all cases of bladder cancer.

4. Breast Cancer -- Women smokers are 75% more likely to develop breast cancer than are non-smoking women.

5. Cervical Cancer -- Women who smoke are 4 times more likely to develop cancer of the cervix than are non-smoking women.

6. Childhood Respiratory Ailments -- Kids exposed to their parents' tobacco smoke have 6 times more respiratory problems (such as colds, ear infections, tonsillitis, bronchitis, asthma, and pneumonia) than children of non-smoking parents.

7. Diabetes -- Smoking decreases the body's absorption of insulin.

8. Drug Interactions -- Smokers need higher than normal dosages of certain drugs.

9. Ear Infections -- Children of smokers face an increased risk of otitis media.

10. Emphysema -- About 85% of all deaths from emphysema are caused by smoking.

11. Esophageal Cancer -- About 80% of all throat cancer is caused by smoking and many cases are caused by snuff or chewing tobacco.

12. Gastrointestinal Cancer -- Smoking doubles the risk of cancer of the stomach and duodenum.

13. Heart Disease -- If you smoke, you are about 4 times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than those who don't smoke.

14. Infertility -- Couples in which at least one member smokes are more than 3 times more likely to have trouble getting pregnant than non-smoking couples.

15. Kidney Cancer -- Of all cases of cancer of the kidney, 40% are caused by smoking.

16. Laryngeal Cancer -- If you smoke more than 25 cigarettes daily, you are almost 30 times more likely to develop cancer of the voice box than those who are non-smokers. Also, many cases of cancer of the larynx are caused by snuff or chewing tobacco.

17. Leukemia -- Tobacco smoke contains several cancer-causing chemicals, some of which are known to cause leukemia.

18. Low Birth Weight -- Women who smoke as few as 5 cigarettes per day during pregnancy have a significantly greater risk of giving birth to an unnaturally small, lightweight baby.

19. Mouth Cancer -- Tobacco (whether dipped, chewed, or smoked) causes nearly every case of cancer of the mouth, lips, cheek, tongue, salivary glands, and tonsils.

20. Nutrition -- Smokers tend to have poorer nutrition than non-smokers. Smoking causes lower levels of HDL, the "good" cholesterol.

21. Osteoporosis -- Women smokers tend to have menopause 5 to 10 years earlier than expected, causing increased bone thinning at an earlier age, which increases the later risk of hip fracture and vertebral compression fractures.

22. Pharyngeal Cancer -- The majority of those who are killed by cancer of the pharynx are smokers.

23. Premature Aging -- Constant exposure to tobacco smoke prematurely wrinkles facial skin and yellows teeth and fingernails.

24. Recovery From Injury Or Surgery -- People who smoke have delayed healing of wounds and bones. They are also at greater risk of complications from surgery and anesthesia.

25. Stroke -- Smoking doubles the risk of stroke.

26. Tooth Loss -- Use of snuff or chewing tobacco causes gum recession and tooth abrasion, which contributes to tooth loss.

Clearly your particular concern is with the association of back pain and smoking, and there are a number of studies that have found that the use of tobacco increases the risk of back pain problems. As well, the cessation of smoking can improve back pain symptoms.
Here is a 5-day plan that may help. Please consult your family doctor regarding the prescription medications that may be available to you.

THE 5 DAY PLAN TO QUIT SMOKING:
The first step to quitting smoking is to decide to quit. Next, make an appointment with your health care provider, or contact a smoking cessation clinic to discuss your options for treatment. Set a quit date.

Quit Day Minus 5:
List all of your reasons for quitting and tell your friends and family about your plan. Stop buying cartons of cigarettes.

Quit Day Minus 4:
Pay attention to when and why you smoke. Think of new ways to relax or things to hold in your hand instead of a cigarette. Think of habits or routines you may want to change. Make a list to use when you quit.

Quit Day Minus 3:
Make a list of the things you could do with the extra money you will save by not buying cigarettes. Think of who to reach out to when you need help, like a smoking support group.

Quit Day Minus 2:
Buy the over-the-counter nicotine patch or nicotine gum, or get a prescription for a nicotine inhaler, nasal spray, or a non-nicotine pill, like bupropion SR or nortriptyline. Clean your clothes to get rid of the smell of cigarette smoke.

Quit Day Minus 1:
Think of a reward you will get yourself after you quit. Make an appointment with your dentist to have your teeth cleaned. At the end of the day, throw away all cigarettes and matches. Put away lighters and ashtrays.

Quit Day:
Keep very busy. Change your routine when possible, and do things out of the ordinary that don't remind you of smoking. Remind family, friends, and coworkers that this is your quit day, and ask them to help and support you. Avoid alcohol. Buy yourself a treat, or do something to celebrate.

Quit Day Plus 1:
Congratulate yourself. When cravings hit, do something else that isn't connected with smoking, like taking a walk, drinking a glass of water, or taking some deep breaths. Call your support network. Find things to snack on, like carrots, sugarless gum, or air-popped popcorn.

Links

• Office of the Surgeon General - Smoke Cessation Guidelines