7 Ways to Leave Your Cigarettes

SEVEN seems to be the magic number for habits of successful people, right? SO...smokers, step on up to the SEVEN choices to help with QUITTING SMOKING! QUITTING SMOKING is the single most important thing you can do to improve your health. In alphabetical order, here they are:

1. Bupropion SR (Wellbutrin SR)- this is an antidepressant that works via unknown mechanisms to decrease your desire for smoking; you start it a week or two before your quit date, and it significantly shuts down that craving for a cigarette.
Common side effects- insomnia and dry mouth.
2. NIcotine gum- do NOT chomp it like regular gum! It's chew, chew, stash it.
3. Nicotine inhaler- used every hour or two during the day; may cause throat/mouth irritation and cough
4. Nicotine nasal spray- 2-4 sprays per waking hour as needed; may cause local irritation in nose and throat
5. Nicotine patch (now OTC, but ask your doctor which dose)- may cause skin irritation; remove at night so no sleep issues
6. Nicotine lozenge- may cause mouth soreness and nausea
7. Varenicline (Zyban)- blocks nicotinic receptors and sharply decreases cravings; Common side effects: very vivid dreams and nausea.

Are they expensive? Puh-lease! Are cigarettes expensive? YES! These aids are money well spent, and will pretty much equal what you are already spending on your habit.

BOTTOM LINE: If you think you've tried everything to quit, double check the list and head to your doctor for a new cessation aid!

iPads to Prevent Dementia?

When I speak about Alzheimer's disease, people often ask what they can do to help prevent this debilitating illness. Although scientists have looked at innumerable medical interventions such as hormone replacement (estrogen), ginkgo biloba, anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen), Vitamin E, and many others, we have yet to find the right answer. The best evidence medical trials today suggest that our primary prevention lies in all the health maintenance strategies that prevent heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes- namely a healthy diet high in vegetables and fruits & low in "junk", plus regular aerobic exercise.

Additionally, many studies have shown some benefit from "cognitive activities", meaning brain exercises, through puzzles such as word games (crossword puzzles or word searches) or number challenges such as sudoku. Is there a way technology might help? Why not? I believe the act of learning new skills in any format will help, regardless of whether it is an old-fashioned crossword puzzle from the Sunday paper, or learning to use... well, yes, an iPad. Let me say now that no, I do not have stock in Apple, though perhaps I should. And, I'm sure any electronic tablet will fit the bill. That being said, let me share our family's personal experience.

We gave my mother-in-law (who looks amazingly younger than her actual age, which I am not allowed to reveal) an iPad 2 for Christmas so that we could "face time" (video chat, for those uninitiated) with her, which would feel more intimate than just a phone call. Although she is very educated (a former RN), she has never had a computer or a cell phone, so we were uncertain how much use she would get beyond this function. May I brag that she is now texting like a teen? She is able to read and follow her favorite blogs, listen to Bible verses, enjoy interactive Rosaries, and best of all, "chat" with us throughout the day. We can text her pictures on the spot, and engage her in our daily lives more easily. As she is eagerly learning these new skills, I can picture those neurons firing up like crazy, and I have to think that her brain is reveling in the new stimulation.

BOTTOM LINE: You're never too old to learn a new skill, and when you do- your brain will thank you!

Afraid to Fly?

Do you have travel plans for the holidays? Any fear of flying? If you do, you are not alone. Many people, especially since 9/11, are very nervous flyers. I know that I never had any issues about flying until I became a mother, at which point suddenly I was emotionally convinced I would die in a plane crash and orphan my child (despite the logical part of my brain telling me it's far more dangerous to drive on Saturday nights.)

So, what can you do? Well, there are many choices, but suffering in silence should not be one of them. First off, arm yourself with the facts that you are over thirty times more likely to have a fatal car accident than die in a plane crash. Most of the fear is not rational, however, so if the facts don't calm you, keep looking.

Plan ahead- create a diversion packet for yourself with an engaging book, music, or DVD. Get noise-canceling headphones (or at least good earplugs). It's amazing how when you can close your eyes and not hear the plane noises, you can relax much more easily.

Avoid stimulants like caffeine and decongestants- no need to ramp up your heart rate before you even get on the plane!

If you have the luxury of time before you travel, consider biofeedback, hypnosis, or meditation training.

I mentioned yesterday that you might want to talk with your doctor. What can she offer? We have several choices, actually. For long flights, I will frequently prescribe a "sleeping pill" such as Ambien or Lunesta. Some patients do very well with medicines that simply control your heart rate, such as metoprolol (a beta-blocker). Others with more intense anxiety respond well to a rapid and short acting sedative such as Xanax.

Bottom Line: Fear of flying is common- plan ahead and talk to your doctor if you would like to consider a medication to lesson your stress.

Too Scared to FLY?

Do you have travel plans for the holidays? Any fear of flying? If you do, you are not alone. Many people, especially since 9/11, are very nervous flyers. I know that I never had any issues about flying until I became a mother, at which point suddenly I was emotionally convinced I would die in a plane crash and orphan my child (despite my brain telling me the statistics say otherwise.)

So, what can you do? Well, there are many choices, but suffering in silence should not be one of them. First off, arm yourself with the facts that you are over thirty times more likely to have a fatal car accident than die in a plane crash. Most of the fear is not rational, however, so if the facts don't calm you, keep looking.

Plan ahead- create a diversion packet for yourself with an engaging book, music, or DVD. Get noise-canceling headphones (or at least good earplugs). It's amazing how when you can close your eyes and not hear the plane noises, you can relax much more easily.

Avoid stimulants like caffeine and decongestants- no need to ramp up your heart rate before you even get on the plane!

If you have the luxury of time before you travel, consider biofeedback, hypnosis, or meditation training.

I mentioned yesterday that you might want to talk with your doctor. What can she offer? We have several choices, actually. For long flights, I will frequently prescribe a "sleeping pill" such as Ambien or Lunesta. Some patients do very well with medicines that simply control your heart rate, such as metoprolol (a beta-blocker). Others with more intense anxiety respond well to a rapid and short acting sedative such as Xanax.

Bottom Line: Fear of flying is common- plan ahead and talk to your doctor if you would like to consider a medication to lesson your stress.