Smoking... why quit?

The World Health Organization (WHO) states, "Tobacco kills nearly 6 million people each year. More than five million of those deaths are the result of direct tobacco use while more than 600 000 are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke. Unless urgent action is taken, the annual death toll could rise to more than eight million by 2030."(http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs339/en/. If quitting for your own health isn't enough, then the fact that every tme you light up a cigarette you are contributing to over 600,000 second hand smoking deaths worldwide should help. Quitting smoking no matter how long you have been smoking for is shown to help reduce your risk of smoking related illnesses including heart disease, lung cancer and other respiratory illnesses. See the CDC Fact Sheet for more ways to quit smoking. Quitting smoking is the single best thing a smoker can do for their health according to the surgeon general. Besides the cost to your health, it also has serious financial burden to your wallet. Check out this calculator to see how much your cigarettes are costing you.

Suggestions to Help with Quitting:

• Join a support group. It’s easier to do things together than alone.
• Try to cut back slow. Sometimes going cold turkey can be too much and lead to more relapse.
• Don’t be hard on yourself. According to the Real cost of smoking
• One suggestion is keeping a craving journal. It allows you see your pattern of smoking cigarettes and the feelings, emotions and habitual behaviors related. Once you figure out some of the more routine cigarettes you have you can attempt to break those habits by replacing them with other tasks. People are often smoking for a reason and it is important to identify that reason and be able to replace it with a more health promoting behavior. 
• Here is a great journal I found on line to use as a template: Craving Journal  
• Once you’ve identified the triggers from using your food journal then find methods to cope with those triggers.
• Make a plan to help with cravings and then put the plan into action!

Resources:

• The real cost of smoking 

• American Lung Association Quit Smoking Help

• Alere Wellbeing; Quit for life program: One of the nations leading tobacco cessation programs boasting a 50% smoking cessation rate
• Become an Ex: Is an online program that teaches people how to learn to live life without cigarettes. 
•  SmokeFree.gov: Can call 1-800-QuitNow (Washington state Tobacco Quit Line)
•  Quit Plans: http://smokefree.gov/quit-plan
•  Swedish Hospital Smoking Cessation Programs

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Disclaimer: Information is for health education only and is not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease or medical condition.

—Always see your health care provider for proper diagnosis and treatment

—Information on herbs and supplements has not been evaluated by the FDA

Principles of Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic medicine is a distinct form of health care, whose diverse techniques include both modern and traditional methods of treatment. The principles of naturopathic medicine are part of what distinguishes the naturopathic approach to health care from the conventional approach; and are based on objective observation of the nature of health and disease. The following principles are the foundation of naturopathic medical practice. Naturopathy is more than a medicine, it's a way of life focusing on mind, body and soul connection and wellness.

The Healing Power of Nature  Vis Medicatrix Naturae

Naturopathic medicine recognizes an inherent self-healing process in the body which is ordered and intelligent. Naturopathic physicians act to identify and remove obstacles to recovery and to facilitate and augment this healing ability.

First Do No Harm  Primum Non Nocere

Naturopathic medicine follows three principles to avoid harming the patient:  1) utilize methods and medical substances which minimize the risk of harmful side effects; 2) avoid, when possible, the harmful suppression of symptoms; 3) acknowledge and respect the individual’s healing process, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat illness.

Treat the Cause  Tolle Causam

Underlying causes of illness must be identified and removed before complete recovery can occur.  The naturopathic physician seeks to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness, rather than to eliminate or merely suppress symptoms.

Treat the Whole Person  Tolle Totum

Naturopathic physicians treat each individual by taking into account physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social and other factors.  Since total health also includes spiritual health, naturopathic physicians encourage individuals to pursue their personal spiritual development.

Doctor as Teacher  Docere

The original meaning of the word “doctor” is teacher.  One of the main objectives of naturopathic medicine is to educate the patient and emphasize self –responsibility for health.  Naturopathic physicians also acknowledge the therapeutic value of the doctor-patient relationship.

Prevention

Naturopathic physicians emphasize disease prevention, assessment of risk factors and hereditary susceptibility to disease and making appropriate interventions to prevent illness.  Naturopathic medicine strives to create a healthy world in which humanity may thrive.

Photo taken by myself on Orcas Island, Wa