Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Stop Smoking Patch - Reasons To Use A Patch

By Denzil De Vries

When smokers attempt to quit the unhealthy smoking habit, headaches, anxiety, nervousness and cravings oftentimes surface as symptoms of their withdrawal. As a result, many smokes decide to utilize nicotine medications in an effort to ease their quitting attempts. For example, a stop smoking patch is one available method for many smokers attempting to quit for good. A stop smoking patch allows smokers to fight withdrawal symptoms.

If a smoker experiences the irritation, insomnia, fatigue, and headaches of nicotine withdrawal, a stop smoking patch can help prevent this. When you use the nicotine patch, you can often avoid the withdrawal symptoms that normally come with trying to quit smoking. This allows you to concentrate on what is more important, and smokers can more easily change ingrained behaviors that led them to smoke. The patch also helps to overcome the psychological factors that make people have a hard time when they try to stop smoking.

Nicotine patches should only be used to help someone to kick the habit and stop smoking. If someone continues to smoke and takes nicotine patches, they actually receive an increased amount of nicotine, increasing the risk of harm. Using a nicotine patch can be an effective and safe way to stop smoking if used properly. The patch works by placing it on a smooth area of skin on the upper body. Drawbacks to the patch include experiencing side effects, and even overdosing on the nicotine. If you are going to use a nicotine patch to stop smoking, you must be sure to place it on a dry area, such as the stomach, chest or upper arm. Remember to replace your patch daily as it can only be used for between 16 and 24 hours.

It is important to try to change your nicotine patch every day. This makes it easy to remember to put on a new patch. Always consult your doctor before starting any new medications such as a stop smoking nicotine patch. Depending on the severity of your symptoms of withdrawal, you can use patches for up to 12 weeks but you must make this decision with your doctor.

Stop smoking patches can produce several side effects. Minor side effects include a burning or itching feeling at the site of the patch, difficulty sleeping, dry mouth, swelling at the site of the patch, sweating or a skin rash.

Significant side effects of the stop smoking patch are cold sweats, breathing difficulties, bad dreams, skin irritations and seizures. If you have serious side effects you should go to the doctor right away. This could be the result of absorbing excess nicotine through the stop smoking patch.

You must also tell your doctor if you have recently had heart trouble, such as heart palpitations, heart disease, or an irregular heartbeat. Also inform your doctor about diabetes, high blood pressure, or stomach ulcers. This will aid your doctor in deciding whether or not you will benefit in using nicotine patches. Do not use stop smoking patches if you are pregnant or are nursing. - 23802

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