COPD program Living in a smoke-free environment May 2013
Agenda 1. Consequences of smoking 2. Benefits of quitting 3. Suggestions to stop smoking Medication Support Helpful strategies
Consequences of smoking on your health Smoking is the main cause of COPD COPD patients who smoke are more susceptible of having a faster decline of their lung function Symptoms include: Daily secretions, frequent cough, wheezing, shortness of breath with effort or daily activities
Consequences of smoking on your health The smoke from a cigarette contains more than 7 000 chemicals including 69 known cancer agents These chemicals can cause cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and cancers The self-cleaning system of your airways is less effective Higher risk of respiratory infections
Benefits of quitting The most important thing you can do to slow down the progression of your COPD is to stop smoking
Benefits of stopping How can quitting smoking impact my health? Reduces cough and sputum May improve breathing, but most importantly it slows down the decline of the lung function Reduces the frequency and severity of respiratory infections Reduces the risk of heart attack and cancer It is never too late to stop smoking
Suggestions to stop smoking Medication Using some medications could double your chances of success By reducing cravings for cigarettes and withdrawal symptoms, some products can help you to stop smoking: Nicotine replacement therapy such as: patches, gum, lozenges, inhalators and oral spray. Non-nicotine treatments (tablets) are only available on prescription Zyban and Champix
Suggestions to stop smoking Support You can increase your chances of success up to 3 times when you combine medication with counselling
Suggestions to stop smoking Support Call the toll-free quitline in your area, to learn more about quitting iquitnow helpline 1-866-527-7383 Smoking cessation centers Website : jarrete.qc.ca / iquitnow.qc.ca Quitting and maintenance groups (in Montréal) Other resources Doctor and pharmacist The lung association
Suggestions to stop smoking Helpful strategies Plan in advance Experiment quitting Smoke-free home and car Break the associations that can lead you to crave a cigarette Coffee, newspaper, phone, etc. Smoking at specific moments Remove from your environment all smoking related items
Suggestions to stop smoking Helpful strategies Plan in advance Select a good time to stop ideally, a routine day avoid special events or days when you are feeling sick Use a calendar to record your progress Develop an Action Plan These tools are available at the quit smoking centers in Montreal
Suggestions to stop smoking Helpful strategies Manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms Delay Cravings usually pass in 3-5 minutes Drink water Try sugar-free chewing gum (e.g. with nicotine) Eat a healthy snack Distract For example, taking a walk can give you energy and take your mind off cigarettes Deep breathing Can help you to relax and make cravings go away
Suggestions to stop smoking Helpful strategies Deal with relapses Don t be too hard on yourself. In average, people try to stop between 5-6 times before succeeding. Think about what caused you to relapse and try to avoid this in the future. Do not let a relapse get in the way of your smoking cessation plan. Ask for help to your doctor or a healthcare professional specialized in smoking cessation.
Questions?
Acknowledgements Mrs. Maria Sedeno, Living Well with COPD Mr. Michel Lebel, Living Well with COPD and Network Case Manager, Centre-West region Mrs. Esther César, Network Case Manager, North region Mrs. Kathy Noël, Network Case Manager, East region Mrs. Lorraine Isabelle, Network Case Manager, West region Mrs. Nathalie Poupart, Network Case Manager, South-East region Mrs. Lyse Millette, Network Case Manager, Centre-East region Mrs. Cathy Dresdell, planning, programmation and research agent, Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de Montréal Mrs. Édith Lemay, planning, programmation and research agent, Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de Montréal Mrs Caroline Cejka, répondante du plan québécois en abandon du tabagisme, Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de Montréal Mrs. Lucie Des Groseillers, administrative technician, Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de Montréal Mrs. Élodie Cornier, administrative agent, Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de Montréal