Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/546729
AUGUST 2015 | Washington Athletic Club Magazine | 29 Lela Bryan is a smoking cessation expert who has helped thousands of people worldwide quit smoking since she quit in 1978. Read more about her program at nicotinesolutions.com. Nothing in this article is intended as medical advice. With sore joints and muscles, restless sleep, an increased need to urinate, a desperate thirst at night, and tingling in her hands and feet, Roberta felt terrible. When she told them she had hot flashes, dizziness, blurred vision, and floaters, doctors suggested she might be going through menopause. Her estimated cost for three trips to the emergency room plus prescriptions topped $20,000! JUNE When June (not her real name) quit smoking, she went to several doctors for her symptoms. Overall, they couldn't find anything wrong. June felt like they thought she was crazy. Her symptoms included constipation, bloating, fluid retention, and heartburn. She also had pain in her throat, hips, legs, chest, back, and even her intestines. June thought her hormone levels had changed and that her anxiety levels were high. Some of the diagnostic tests she took included a pelvic ultrasound; several X-rays of her chest, thighs and torso; and two complete blood counts. The results of the tests were all normal. Testing did, however, find some arthritis in her back and slightly elevated cholesterol. June's estimated expenses for visits to the doctor and tests were about $750—plus thousands more to her insurance company. If you do decide to quit cold turkey, expect to experience nicotine withdrawal and many of the same symptoms described above. Here are some suggestions for coping with common medical issues without spending huge amounts of money on medical bills. SORE MOUTH, BLEEDING GUMS These symptoms may last as long as eight weeks. To help them improve more quickly, try the following: • Life Brand Oral Wound Cleanser to relieve a sore mouth, gums and tongue. It is a soothing mouth rinse. • For a sore throat, put a few drops of Vademecum mouthwash in hot water and gargle. DIGESTIVE The most common symptoms in this category are listed below along with possible remedies. • Indigestion or heartburn that lasts up to three months: Use Tums as needed. • Gas or flatulence that lasts several weeks: Don't eat gas-producing foods, such as beans or cabbage. Try Beano before meals. • Diarrhea or constipation that can last up to several weeks: Try over-the-counter remedies. • Nausea that lasts about a week: Drinking carbonated beverages should help. • Pain in the stomach that lasts three weeks or longer: Take an over-the-counter aid to soothe your stomach. RESPIRATORY AND CIRCULATORY It's very common to experience breathing and circulatory issues after quitting. For sinus congestion, try an over-the-counter medication. For chest pains, practice breathing deeply. Dizziness is also common and is often caused by increased circulation of oxygen to the brain. This symptom usually lasts only a few days, until your brain gets used to the extra oxygen. Move and get up more slowly while the symptom persists. For stiffness or pain in your legs, take a hot bath, get a massage, rub Tiger Balm where it hurts, or elevate your legs while you sit or lie down. Leg pains may take several weeks to ease. Tingling in your fingers and toes, caused by improved circulation, will generally go away on its own within a couple of weeks. Quitting smoking will likely be the healthiest thing you ever do. Educate yourself on doing it right and your likelihood of success will increase—while your medical bills do just the opposite. " I don't recommend quitting [smoking] 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."