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Nicotine Dependence
Thousands of clinical compensation claims are initiated every year in the United Kingdom by medical negligence solicitors on behalf of people from all walks of life. A multitude of operations and procedures are executed successfully however a small percentage do go wrong, laying the grounds for medical negligence solicitors to take legal action in order to claim compensation. Both legal aid and the no win no fee scheme are available to pursue medical negligence compensation claims.
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Nicotine dependence is a condition where a person is addicted to nicotine. Nicotine comes from smoking cigarettes, pipes or cigars. These items contain thousands of chemicals, of which nicotine is addicting. Even smokeless chewing tobacco contains nicotine. When you have nicotine dependence, you cannot stop smoking, even when you know it is harmful to you.
Nicotine makes the smoker feel temporarily better. It is mood altering and can cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop smoking. The withdrawal symptoms include anxiety and extreme irritability. Being dependent on nicotine can easily lead to secondary complications, including heart disease, certain cancers and stroke.
Symptoms associated with nicotine dependence include an inability to stop smoking, in spite of trying to quit smoking on one or more occasions. You can experience withdrawal symptoms when attempting to stop smoking. Stopping smoking can lead to depression, difficulty concentrating, irritability, anxiety, cravings, restlessness, hunger, insomnia, and bowel changes. As a result, you continue smoking even though you have or expect to have health problems as a result of continued smoking. Smokers also tend to give up on recreational activities, with the idea that smoking is preferable.
The cause of nicotine dependence is the smoking or chewing of tobacco containing nicotine. Nicotine is felt to be very addictive-as much so as cocaine. It releases neurotransmitters into the brain so that you feel better. It increases, in particular, dopamine, which increases mood. Smokers smoke to get a boost of dopamine in the brain.
There are triggers that increase the risk of smoking, including smoking during breakfast or during work breaks. Smoking is commonly done after drinking alcohol or following a meal. Certain places can trigger a smoking experience as can talking on the phone. The smell of someone else smoking can trigger a craving as can talking on the phone. People often smoke in the car when driving.
Nicotine dependence means that you smoke or chew tobacco on a regular basis. This can cause harm to just about any body area. The major complications of tobacco use are lung cancer, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Any of these complications can result in death. Nicotine also affects the heart and blood vessels. Heart failure and heart attack risks are increased. Other cancers, including laryngeal cancer, esophageal cancer and mouth cancer can happen. Even distant body areas can be involved in cancer secondary to smoking, including bladder, kidney, pancreas, cervix, leukemia and stomach cancer.
Smoking can contribute to premature aging, including wrinkles. Infertility in women can be related to smoking and men can have an increase in impotence. There is a higher risk of miscarriage, low birth weight and preterm delivery in those who suffer from nicotine dependence and who smoke. Sudden infant death is more common in children who have parents that smoke. Diabetes is at greater risk with smokers as are colds, flu and related illnesses.
There are no tests for nicotine dependence. The doctor can ask questions about your smoking habits and feelings around smoking. This helps the doctor determine how addicted you are to nicotine. The degree of dependence you have on smoking helps the doctor decide how strong a nicotine addiction medication is to be used.
Treating nicotine dependence is not easy and requires a lot of willpower. The individual can quit cold turkey or can rely on the help of a physician. Success is more likely if you have the support of a healthcare provider. The treatment is based on medications as well as on nicotine counseling.
Medications include nicotine-containing medications and non-nicotine medications. Both can be effective if used along with counseling and willpower. If you undergo counseling along with medications, you can have twice as good a chance of being successful in quitting smoking. Some people will need more than one type of medication in order to stop smoking.
Nicotine replacement therapy is one way to block the cravings associated with smoking. They include gums, patches, lozenges, inhalers and nasal sprays. They help relieve cravings as you begin the process of smoking cessation. You begin taking the medication on the day you quit smoking. You can get most of these products over the counter.
There are prescription non-nicotine medications as well. These include buproprion, which is an antidepressant that increases norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. Chantix is a new medication that acts directly on the nicotine receptors so you don't get pleasure from the act of smoking. Clonidine is a blood pressure medication that helps some people with nicotine addiction. There are vaccines that block the effects of nicotine that are in the process of being developed.