Is Smoking Cigars Any Safer Than Smoking Cigarettes?

Posted on May 19, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

Cigarette sales are beginning to see a decline while cigar consumption has been rising steadily. This is partly attributed to the growing belief that cigars are a safer alternative to cigarettes. Many smokers perceive cigars as having fewer health risks because the smoke is not inhaled into the lungs but is instead sucked and kept in the mouth for the taste. However, the most concerning misconception among smokers is the belief that cigars are safer because they do not have a Surgeon General’s health warning as cigarettes do.

Research has proven all of these beliefs to be untrue. Cigars do not require health labels because they are not as regulated as cigarettes. Furthermore, they contain some of the same hazardous chemicals such as arsenic and can have the same negative health effects.

Cigars contain high levels of the addictive substance nicotine. Nicotine can enter the body by being inhaled into the lungs and can also be absorbed through the lining in the mouth. Cigars are also known to contain more tar than cigarettes. Tar contains the carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) benzo(a)pyrene. Cigar smokers are at a high risk for developing cancers of the mouth, larynx and esophagus.

Cigar smoke has been linked to other health conditions such as oral, lung and cardiovascular disease. Chronic cigar smokers may be twice as likely to be at risk for COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). They may also face a higher risk of premature death caused by aortic aneurysms and damage to the heart. Cigars can also wreak havoc on dental health by causing tooth loss, bad breath and stained teeth.

The National Cancer Institute has determined that cigars are no safer than cigarettes and there are no safe tobacco products. There is also no safe level of tobacco smoke exposure. For this reason and others previously discussed, the best option for smokers to improve their health and prevent the risk of developing chronic diseases is to stop smoking.

If you or someone you know needs help in quitting smoking please contact Jamaica Hospital’s Freedom From Smoking program at 718 206 8494 or visit www.smokefree.gov for more information.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

I Am So Stressed! Where Are My Cigarette’s?

Posted on March 27, 2015 by Joann Ariola

Is smoking a cigarette when you are stressed, depressed or irritable a proven way to relieve those emotions or improve your mood?

The answer is, no. The relief you get from smoking comes from the act of taking the “time out” necessary to smoke a cigarette. It does not have to do with the chemical actions of nicotine in your brain.

If you finish your cigarette and return to your stressful situation, the feeling of tension will come back. Therefore, the act of smoking is only a temporary solution for handling stress.

A proven way to control stress, tension or depression in your life is to identify what brings on those emotions and learning how to change the way you react to the events and situations in your life.

If you have been using smoking as a way to reduce stress, a great time to
“kick the habit” is to participate in The Great American Smoke out, Wednesday, November 18th, 2015.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center can help. Enroll, today, for our smoking cessation classes. For more information or to register, call: 718-206-8494.

Asthma v. COPD

Posted on March 17, 2015 by Joann Ariola

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a general term that describes progressive respiratory diseases including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD is characterized by decreased airflow over time and increased inflammation of the lungs.

Asthma, on the other hand, is considered a separate respiratory disease, but is occasionally mistaken for COPD because of its similar symptoms.

These symptoms include:

Chronic coughing
Wheezing
Shortness of breath

The majority of COPD sufferers also have asthma, which is considered a risk factor for developing the disease. As you age, the likelihood of this duel-diagnosis increases.

COPD and asthma respond well to treatments such as smoking cessation and airway-opening medications like bronchodilators. At times, inhaled steroids are also needed. However, lung function is only fully reversible in asthma patients. A diagnosis of asthma, along with COPD, often means a significant decline in lung function as the COPD progresses. This progression is true even in patients with mild forms of the disease.

By nature of the similarity of the symptoms of COPD and asthma, many patients can go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Early detection of COPD, especially in current or past smokers, is critical to preserving lung function “Undiagnosed or poorly controlled asthma and COPD can lead to a decreased quality of life by limiting a person’s ability to perform everyday activities. Teaching patients to take their medicine as prescribed, to never run out of their medications, and to keep their doctors’ appointments is essential to improving their outcomes.” Dr. Kamica Lewis.

If you think you may have symptoms of asthma or COPD, please contact Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center at 718-206-7001 to make an appointment with a doctor for an evaluation.