By Phil Rosenbalm
Have you ever considered quitting smoking? Did you know that tobacco products kill one in two of their long-term users? In a study in Australia, they found that smoking may save one life for every 250 deaths it causes. More than 45 million Americans smoke cigarettes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “smoking causes cancer, heart disease, strokes, lung diseases, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.” It also increases the risk of many other health problems.
In addition, second-hand smoke contributes to approximately forty-one thousand deaths among non-smoking adults and 400 deaths in infants each year. If one smokes during pregnancy, it increases the risk of pregnancy complications. Other findings demonstrate that smoking harms nearly every organ of the body and affects overall health.
Some findings you may not be aware of are that smoking affects the health of teeth and gums and can cause tooth loss. It can increase the risk of cataracts. Smoking can make it harder for a woman to become pregnant. It can affect men’s sperm and increase the risks of birth defects and miscarriage. Smoking causes inflammation and decreased immune function. It is also a cause of rheumatoid arthritis. Smoking can also result in type 2 diabetes. In fact, the risk of developing diabetes is 30%-80% higher for active smokers than for non-smokers.
According to the CDC, “quitting smoking has health benefits at any age no matter how long or how much you have smoked.” Eliminating smoking benefits people who already have COPD. It also improves the health of women who are pregnant. Quitting improves one’s sense of taste and smell. Giving up smoking also reduces the risk of having a first heart attack or another heart attack. Quitting smoking reduces one’s risk for cancer and, in fact, lowers the risk for twelve different types of cancer. Another considerable advantage of quitting smoking is the financial benefit. Quitting improves health and enhances quality of life. It can add as much as ten years to life expectancy. In short, if you quit smoking, you will live longer and have a happier life.
Many people have tried to quit. In fact, 30%-50% of US smokers attempt to quit every year, but only 7.5% are successful. If you are a smoker, you may want to participate in the “Great American Smokeout.” which is an annual intervention event on the third Thursday of November. The American Cancer Society encourages smokers to use this date to make a plan to quit or to actually quit smoking on that day.
If you do desire to quit, there is good news. Clinical hypnosis has been extremely successful in helping people to quit smoking. Some hypnotherapists have had close to a 100% success rate in helping people quit.
With all the health risks to self and others and the huge financial toll, wouldn’t a few sessions with a qualified hypnotherapist be worth it? If you would like to learn more about hypnosis and the many ways it can benefit you, please call Phil Rosenbaum at 248-688-6469.
With the “Great American Smokeout” coming up this month, why not let that be the impetus for you to give up the habit for good?
Phil Rosenbalm
If you want to learn more about hypnosis or experience a session, please call Phil Rosenbaum at 248-688-6469. Change your habits and see your life change.