Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/546729
28 | Washington Athletic Club Magazine | AUGUST 2015 S mokers, listen up! If you want to quit cold turkey, you better arm yourself with some important information. Many smokers experience predictable—but temporary—symptoms when they quit. If you know what to do, you can treat these symptoms inexpensively. If you don't, you risk emergency room visits and costly side effects. I have taught smoking cessation techniques since I quit smoking in 1978, and I don't recommend quitting cold turkey. I prefer that smokers quit over a period of six weeks so they can detoxify slowly and smoke as they learn to quit. What can you expect when you quit smoking abruptly? Two typical smokers did just that and were so traumatized by their physical symptoms that they wound up seeking medical advice for what are, in fact, fairly common just-quit-smoking symptoms. Let's look at their experiences. ROBERTA After she quit smoking, Roberta (not her real name) went to the emergency room several times with pressure in her chest and lower rib cage, and tightness in her chest and throat. She had trouble breathing, but the emergency room doctor said she was breathing fine and was likely having an anxiety attack. During her hospital visits, Roberta took a variety of tests, including: a blood panel; an electrocardiogram (EKG); a CAT scan; an ultrasound of her liver and gallbladder; X-rays of her heart, lungs and abdomen; and various vision tests. Roberta's results were all normal. Some of the treatments she received included steroid shots and antibiotics. She was also diagnosed with inflammation of the pharynx and prescribed anti-anxiety medication. Doctors also recommended medications for allergies and acid reflux. Wellness By Lela Bryan T he nicotine found in cigarettes, shisha, and the new flavored "juice" for vape pens is as addictive as heroin or cocaine. It's no wonder people struggle to kick the habit. Each puff delivers a small amount of nicotine to the brain and central nervous system, creating pleasant feelings. The effects, however, last only minutes, causing smokers to renew the feeling with more nicotine—a vicious cycle. So quitting is a good idea, right? Why on earth, then, would we be cautioning you about trying to quit? The answer is simple: If you don't know what you're getting into, this step to improve your current and future health can cost you a bundle! Smoking cessation specialist Lela Bryan shares a power-packed article of what to expect and offers great advice on setting yourself up for success. Tamela Thomas, Wellness Manager tamelat@wac.net 206.464.4639 Making cents of quitting The hidden costs of quitting smoking Knowing common side effects can lead to long-term success