HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE
Researcher: Johaubannah
Reference: http://www.poise.com/….

Smoking and Bladder Health: One More Reason to Quit
by Paul J. Watkins

It’s common knowledge that cigarette smoking is linked to a variety of health problems. Disorders such as lung cancer and emphysema are perhaps the most recognized problems, but did you know that smoking is also a leading contributor to bladder disorders such as bladder-related cancers and bladder weakness? A 2003 study published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that smoking more than twenty cigarettes a day is associated with an increased risk of bladder weakness in women.

While it’s true that there are no studies establishing a direct link between smoking and bladder weakness, Rolando Rivera, M.D., a fellowship-trained urologist with specialists in Urology in Bonita Springs, Florida, notes that it can certainly be a contributing factor. He explains that smoking can lead to bladder cancer, bladder cancer can cause irritation of the bladder, and irritation can lead to bladder leakage.

On the other hand, the link between smoking and bladder cancer has been established. The link is so strong that if a patient reports episodes of bladder weakness to her doctor, the doctor will most likely look for signs of bladder cancer. “Smoking is the number one cause of bladder cancer,” says Rivera, “and the incidence in women is rising.” Women are not just putting themselves at increased risk for bladder cancer by smoking; they are actually putting themselves at double the risk. “Cigarette smokers are twice as likely to get bladder cancer as nonsmokers,” says Donald M. Bergner, M.D., a board-certified urologist with Urology Consultants in Palm Harbor, Florida.

If you’re a woman who smokes, and you haven’t already found a reason to quit, the chance to reduce or eliminate bladder leakage and to cut in half your risk of developing bladder cancer might be reasons enough. Quitting is the smart thing to do, but this may be easier said than done. The good news is that there are many resources available to assist you if you want to quit, and there are several methods to fit different lifestyles and preferences. Getting started can be as easy as talking to your physician. Many doctors guide their patients through smoking cessation program themselves, while others refer them to a specialist. Along with behavior-based programs, some doctors will prescribe non-nicotine oral cessation medications such as Chantix or Zyban to help their patients stop smoking. They may also prescribe nicotine nasal sprays and inhalers.

Smoking cessation programs are offered in local communities by state and local health agencies and are often listed on the blue pages of the telephone book or listed under “Drug Abuse and Addiction” in the Yellow Pages. Community hospitals are another great resource for programs to stop smoking, as are public libraries, health maintenance organizations, health fairs, book stores, and community quitlines.

In addition, several federal agencies and national organizations provide information on how to quit smoking. Women seeking individualized counseling, printed information, and referral to other sources can log onto Smokefree.gov, a website established by the Tobacco Control Research Branch of the National Cancer Institute. Smokefree.gov provides an online guide for smokers interested in quitting, as well as links to other cessation resources, including The National Network of Tobacco Cessation Quitlines. The American Cancer Society offers material on smoking cessation and sponsors a smoking cessation clinic called Freshstart. The American Lung Association has information about local cessation programs as well as its own free, online Freedom From Smoking® cessation program on LungUSA.org. Nicotine Anonymous supports smokers looking to break their addiction to nicotine and also assists those already using cessation programs and withdrawal aids. The organization provides group support, and recovery is based on the same 12 Steps used by Alcoholics Anonymous. A database of meetings listed by state and country is available at Nicotine-Anonymous.org. Internet and telephone meetings are also available.

Of course, there’s always the classic “cold turkey” method for quitting smoking, and while it’s the most popular method, it isn’t necessarily the most effective one. That being said, many people have successfully quit smoking this way. Those who opt for this cessation method don’t have to go it alone, relying on pure willpower to break their cigarette habit; many of them find it easier to quit with the help of over-the-counter nicotine replacement products such as nicotine patches, nicotine gum, and nicotine lozenges. Additional assistance can be found online, allowing women to reach out for guidance in smoking cessation from the comfort of their home or office. QuitSmokingColdTurkeyNow.com, WhyQuit.com, and QuitSmoking.com offer tips, encouragement, and products to help smokers quit on their own.

Whatever reason you have for breaking your nicotine addiction and whatever method you choose to go about it, what’s most important is that you don’t get discouraged if you don’t succeed at first. Many women have quit smoking, but very few of them did it on the first try. The first and most important step toward achieving a tobacco-free life is summed up in two simple but powerful words: “I Quit.”

Be sure to consult your physician or health care provider before you pick a plan to help you stop smoking.