Thinking About Quitting? Thousands Of People Do Everyday...

Smoking is an epidemic all over the world, if you smoke, have you ever thought about or tried to quit? Here is what actually happens to your body after you put down that last cigarette?

The goal is to make the healthy choice and stop for 5- 10 years , this cuts your risks in half of stroke and cancer. If you notice in the info-graphic below, even 1 month-9 months after quitting, your lungs are better and your overall energy begins to improve.

Smoking is just not smart, we all know the risks, just do it! Quit today! I lost my mother to lung cancer, she smoked for over 50 years, she was also one of thousands of smokers that die everyday from smoking...do you want to be one of the thousands? 

Credit to CVS Health and DailyInfographic.com 

Stay safe

e-Cigarettes- The Burning Truth [infographic]

So you are puffing away now on your new found e-cigarette thinking you have made a perfect healthy choice, when you discover they might not be all they been raved about. Just what is in an "e-cigarette"? 

Advertising themselves as “healthy alternatives” to cigarettes, electronic cigarettes attempt to recreate the act of smoking in a much more synthesized, scientific fashion. Using a rechargeable battery powered heater, e-cigarettes vaporize liquid nicotine as smokers take drags through the electronic cigarette’s vapor funneling system. The debate is still out on the "healthy" aspects of these cigarettes, as a healthcare professional I don't like them, but I would rather see you use this that smoking a nasty old conventional cigarette. It is a step in the right direction, helping you to quit I hope. 

There are no long term studies out yet, the FDA has not weighed in, nor approved any kind of e-cigarettes at all yet as an official smoking cessation device (so there is a clue for ya). 

Nicotine is still a drug, even though you are not getting the tar from tobacco, the nicotine has effects that do bad things to your body such as

• stroke
• cardiac ischemia events
• hypertension
• peptic ulcer disease
• high cholesterol
• esophageal reflux
• arterial constrictions
• slow wound healing 
• reduced immunity 

Infographic credit to Infographicdaily.com 

Please choose wisely, make the best choice for your health. You only have one life, live it well.

Smashing Your Fears: Lung Leavin Day 2014

Today is a landmark day for a fabulous lady, "Heather Von St James", a mom, a wife, a woman and a fighter!

This post has been particularly hard for me to write due to my own mothers recent diagnosis of Stage 4 Lung Cancer ( not mesothelioma ). I am typing here bedside her bed in ICU as she struggles to breath and stay alive just one more day. My mom smoked for at least 50 years and I know she must pay the ultimate price now.

Heather on the other hand is a survivor of mesothelioma, a lung cancer seen with exposure to asbestos. She is a rare jewel, here is her story and why February 2nd is so special to her each year.

 

My name is Heather and I am an 8-year survivor of mesothelioma – a rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure. When I was diagnosed, I had just given birth to my little girl and was told I had 15 months to live. After undergoing a risky surgery, which required the removal of my left lung, I beat the odds and created Lung Leavin’ Day as a way to commemorate this day that changed my life forever.

Lung Leavin’ Day is now used to encourage others to face their fears! One important thing cancer taught me is the importance of acknowledging these apprehensions that prevent us from living life to the fullest extent.

Each year on February 2, friends and family gather at my house for a bonfire where we write our fears on plates and smash them into the fire.

This year, we are asking you to face your fears and raise awareness of this event by virtually participating in Lung Leavin’ Day!

I have created an interactive page that tells the full story of this special day, which can be found here: Mesothelioma.com/heather/lungleavinday

What are you fears? We all have them....let's smash them today and celebrate Heather's day with her in celebration! A celebration of life!