Health
Smoking– It’s time to quit
By Dr. Melinda HartYou’ve heard this before – it’s time to quit smoking. It’s a nasty habit that increases the risk for a variety of conditions including several types of cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, lung and gum disease and ulcers. It causes stained teeth, bad breath and wrinkled skin. Your secondhand smoke can be damaging to family and friends. Although it only costs a few bucks for a pack, it can add up to hundreds of dollars during spent during a year.
There are many reasons to stop smoking, however, this task can be a difficult one. For some, it can take several attempts before kicking the nicotine habit. The good news is that following the Surgeon General’s five keys to quitting can help you give up smoking for good.
Get ready. As you prepare to quit smoking, it’s important to set a quit date and stick to it. Studies show that people who don’t smoke on their designated quit date are 10 times more likely to not be smoking six months later. Change your environment by getting rid of all cigarettes and ashtrays in your home, office and vehicles. Cleaning the smell of smoke from your house and clothes will help delete the reminders of smoking and make it easier to quit. Additionally, don’t allow others to smoke in your home or vehicles. If you have tried to quit smoking in the past, review your previous attempts in order to avoid things that didn’t work and use strategies that were successful. Once you’ve completed the preparation process, make a conscious decision to stop using cigarettes, not even for a puff.
Get support. Studies have shown that you have a better chance of giving up cigarettes if you have support. Inform family, friends and co-workers of your plans to quit smoking, ask for their support and encourage them to avoid smoking around you. Individual, group, telephone and Internet support groups can also help you cope and offer successful quitting strategies. Your physician is another helpful resource who can help you tailor an approach to quitting that best fits your physical needs.
Learn new skills and behaviors. When you quit smoking, find ways to change your routine and avoid your smoking triggers. Identify circumstances in which you are at the greatest risk of smoking and decide how to handle the situation without smoking. For example, eat breakfast in a different place or take a walk during your work break. It’s also critical that you distract yourself from urges to smoke and find ways to reduce stress. Oftentimes, smokers light up out of stress. Reading a book, taking a hot bath or talking to a friend can be great ways to relieve stress without smoking.
Get medication and use it correctly. Medications can help you stop smoking and lessen your urge to smoke. Whether it be a patch, nicotine gum, a nicotine inhaler or prescription medication, talk to your physician about what’s available and how each item should be used.
Be prepared for difficult situations. Most relapses occur within three months of quitting smoking and 75 percent of people who quit will smoke again. Don’t be discouraged if you start smoking again. To avoid a relapse, prepare for these difficult situations:
‰ Other smokers. Being around people who smoke may increase your desire to join in.
‰ Alcohol. Avoid use of alcohol because drinking lowers your chances of success.
‰ Weight gain. Many smokers eat more when they quit smoking, which often leads to weight gain (usually less than 10 pounds). For this reason, it’s important to eat a healthy diet and stay active when you quit smoking.
‰ Bad moods and depression. This can be a smoking trigger, so find other ways to relieve stress and depression. Try to keep busy with activities that are enjoyable and reduce stress.
Although it can be difficult to quit smoking, these steps can help make the process more manageable. Focusing on the benefits of quitting can help as you embark on this journey. Remember, the decision to quit is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and those around you. For questions regarding smoking or how to quit, please call Dr. Melinda Hart at 735-0030.
- Health
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Health dept. preparing for flu season
By Karen Williamson
KARENW@CULLMANTIMES.COM
While mandatory reporting for flu cases is not required at the moment, the Cullman County Health Department is gearing up to offer vaccines to lessen a potential outbreak.
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Health dept. preparing for flu season
By Karen Williamson
KARENW@CULLMANTIMES.COM
While mandatory reporting for flu cases is not required at the moment, the Cullman County Health Department is gearing up to offer vaccines to lessen a potential outbreak.
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Detecting and preventing skin cancer
Of all types of cancer, skin cancer is the most common, and more than one million cases are diagnosed each year in the United States. That is more than prostate, breast, lung, colon, uterine, ovarian and pancreatic cancer combined. People can be proactive in protecting themselves and their families from skin cancer.
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New advanced CT scanner helping Woodland patients
Woodland Medical Center announced that they have added a state-of-the-art multi-slice Computed Tomography (CT) scanner to their facility. The new Brilliance CT scanner from Philips Medical Systems features advanced technology that produces split-second high quality images, permitting doctors to see more anatomical detail in a fraction of the time needed for other tests. With this new CT scanner, Woodland Medical Center’s doctors will be able to more effectively detect and treat a range of life threatening illnesses, including heart disease, cancer, stroke, and lung disease.
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Spring allergies are nothing to sneeze at
Spring is in the air and pollen along with it. If the first warm days also mean the first runny nose and the first blooming buds mean the first red eyes, you may be one of the 36 million Americans who suffer with allergies.
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Organ transplant gives husband, wife unique bond
Often spouses ask one another, “How much do you love me?” Sounds like a ridiculous question, but when local businessman Robert Luckhard, owner of The Doghouse, was posed this question he answered undeniably, “with everything I have.”
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Recognize obesity in your children
Pediatricians and parents are concerned about the rising rates of obesity among children and are now recognizing the need for action. Over the past three decades, the number of children who are overweight or obese has doubled from 15 percent in the 1970s to nearly 30 percent today. Nationally, there are 25 million children and adolescents who are categorized as overweight or obese.
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The gift of life — and it stays close to home
Thanks to a partnership between LifeSouth and Cullman Regional Medical Center, it is easier than ever for individuals to make blood donations. The LifeSouth bloodmobile travels throughout our community to schools, businesses and churches for blood drive events. There is also a donation station located in the professional office building No. 2 at CRMC that is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Is it a cold, or is it the flu?
It’s normal to mistake the flu for another ailment such as a cold or just “feeling under the weather,” but it’s important to know the difference — because if it’s the flu, the sooner you can get help from your doctor, the better.
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Smoking– It’s time to quit
You’ve heard this before – it’s time to quit smoking. It’s a nasty habit that increases the risk for a variety of conditions including several types of cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, lung and gum disease and ulcers. It causes stained teeth, bad breath and wrinkled skin. Your secondhand smoke can be damaging to family and friends. Although it only costs a few bucks for a pack, it can add up to hundreds of dollars during spent during a year.
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Eating Well, Aging Well
With each passing year, as people get older, they should be aware of their bodies' changing needs. Many people don't realize that healthy aging demands closer attention to diet. Here are a few tips from Janet Benefield, RD, dietician at Cullman Regional Medical Center.
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Health dept. preparing for flu season
