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Smoking-related diseases kill more than 400,000 Americans each year, and nicotine addiction is one reason why smoking is so hard to quit. Hi, I'm Dr. Cindy Haines, host of HealthDay TV. An article in today's New England Journal of Medicine takes a close look at nicotine addiction. After a smoker takes a puff from a cigarette, nicotine quickly travels through the lungs and bloodstream to the brain. There it triggers a number of brain chemicals including dopamine, which causes a feeling of pleasure. When people stop smoking, they often have withdrawal symptoms including irritability and restlessness. And their urge to start smoking again often continues long after these withdrawal symptoms go away - all part of an addiction that is a combination of physical and psychological factors.
The author of the article writes that about 45 million Americans currently smoke, but about 70% of them want to quit.
For these folks who want to quit smoking, the American Cancer Society recommends the following tips for improving the chances of success:
The organization offers several other tips for successful quitting, including helpful tips on how to prepare to quit, and can be found by visiting their website at www.cancer.org
I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the news that doctors are reading; health news that matters to you.
