Every year at this time devoted Christians give up certain indulgences (chocolate, alcohol, excessive spending, nicotine). Smokers don’t need to be reminded of all the reasons why they should quit smoking, but it occurred to me why Lent is a particularly opportune time to do it (that is, if you missed New Years).

First, smokers report that quitting is the most difficult thing they have ever had to do. This qualifies quitting as not only a genuine sacrifice, but perhaps, the MOST APPROPRIATE sacrifice.

Second, smokers report having an easier time with quitting smoking: during pregnancy, hospitalization, tour of duty, incarceration, etc. Why? Simple-because they spare themselves the psychological withdrawal associated with “forever.” Quitting smoking (like any major lifestyle change) is more manageable when only making a short-term commitment i.e. forty days.  After forty days, nicotine withdrawal is OVER! The hard work is done! The physical dependency is behind you.

Remaining a nonsmoker should be significantly easier because your brain will no longer require nicotine to feel normal or function well. By then you will have also experienced the freedom and empowerement of overcoming the addiction. You will feel healthier,  have more disposable income, have been showered with compliments and be more kissable!  It is well documented and accepted that it takes 21-28 days to change a habit, so more good news…..psychological withdrawal should also be behind you.

So if you want to prove your dedication to your faith, naturally alleviate the discomfort of quitting smoking AND improve your chance of long-term success (not to mention improved health, more money, better image…….) set your quit date today.

Are you ready to quit this year? We want to reward you. Schedule your appointment before Easter Sunday, 2012 and receive $50 off laser therapy to quit smoking at Alpha Lifestyle Center of Birmingham. Space is limited. Must keep original appointment for discount. Not valid with other promotions or discounts. Call 248-594-1303. You must mention this post when scheduling to recevie the discount.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide and is often not diagnosed until late stages when it’s much more difficult to treat.  Researchers are working a new test to make that diagnosis easier and earlier.

Metabolomx has developed a device which can detect signs of lung cancer in a patient’s breath..  Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic just completed clinical trials on the test. Dr. Peter Mazzone led the study.

We found that we can be in the 80 to 85 percent accuracy range at detecting lung cancer from the breath signature, that we were a little more accurate if we looked for a specific type of lung cancer rather than lung cancer in general,” said Mazzone.

The test works by detecting specific biomarkers produced by the cancerous tumor.

“It’s a signature of the metabolic by products of growing cancer that is detectable in breath,” said Dr. Paul Rhodes, CEO of Metabolomx.

Experts said the five minute breath test is fast, safe and at just $75, affordable.  

The test needs to be refined before it can be widely used.

“This was relatively a crude instrument with lots of room for improvement, so our hope is that the next generation of this sensor system can increase that accuracy beyond the 80 to 85 percent range to a point where it can be clinically useful,” said Mazzone.

If this breath test receives FDA approval, experts said the hope is it could initially be used with a CT scan to determine if a patient really needs a biopsy and eventually during regular check-ups for early detection.

Metabolomx is working on developing other tests using the same technology that may one day help detect colon cancer and tuberculosis.

 Source: www.clickondetroit.com

The month of December is full of social events, commitments, visitors, friends and family. For the closet smoker, NOT being able to enjoy smoking as they are accustomed to can be the most stressful thing about the holidays. For a closet smoker, feelings of anxiety begin to mount just anticipating the challenges of sneaking a cigarette without blowing their cover, adding to the withdrawal symptoms that result from significantly restricted nicotine use.

Quitting smoking during the holidays eliminates the stress associated with hiding smoking from others who disapprove. Additionally, it can accelerate the withdrawal period because the initial (and most intense) period of withdrawal will occur alongside other holiday distractions.

Also, consider why you are a closet smoker. Chances are the reason for hiding your habit is another source of stress, which can be ELIMINATED by quitting smoking.

Common reasons for hiding smoking: A disapproving parent, spouse or relative; Impressionable child; Friend, co-worker or relative of a cancer vicitm/survivor; Guilt or self-conscience re: cost/health/image.

Whatever the reason, closest smokers are carrying a heavy and unhealthy burden; one which is eliminated when they quit smoking once and for all. Unfortunately, the burden of hiding being a smoker can be so overwhelming that a time of joy and celebration is masked by feelings of restriction, deprivation and resentment.

Quitting smoking is a liberating and empowering experience because it is such a challenging task. Smokers really need to trust that quitting smoking is one decision that they will never regret.

Unfortunately, closet smokers don’t have a support team to call on when quitting smoking. They can’t post their plans to quit smoking on Facebook (which solicits support from friends) or recruit others for support, making quitting even more challenging. In an effort to help, Alpha Lifestyle Center of Birmingham has a confidential, comprehensive and alternative approach to quitting smoking without pain, needles, drugs or side effect. For more information about the program, visit www.alphalaserinfo.com or call 248-594-1303.

With smoking comes lines and wrinkles in your skin which is very noticeable around the face and eyes. More than 4000 toxins come from the cigarette smoke that is carried through your bloodstream out to your skin.

Not only does your skin retain these toxins, but your skin cells wear out faster and become much less able to reproduce themselves causing skin to age at a rapid pace. The nicotine in cigarettes causes narrowing of the blood vessels in the outermost layers of your skin. This impairs blood flow to your skin. With less blood flow, your skin doesn’t receive the oxygen and important nutrients (such as Vitamin A) necessary to maintain healthy, vibrant skin. Many of the chemicals in tobacco smoke also damage collagen and elastin, which are fibers that give your skin its strength and elasticity. As a result, skin begins to sag and wrinkle.

In addition, repeated exposure to the heat from burning cigarettes and the facial expressions you make when smoking (pursing lips, squinting eyes) can contribute to wrinkles.

The beauty of your skin decreases every time you smoke. Why not get back on the right track to beautiful, healthy skin? Quitting smoking is tough! Side effects can be unbearable………..and old habits die hard!

Let Alpha Life Style Center help get your skin looking great without the painful withdrawal symptoms that are typically experienced when quitting smoking cold turkey.

In addition to lung cancer, smokers are also more prone to cancer of the voicebox, stomach, mouth and throat.. In the US alone, tobacco use is the cause of about one in five deaths every year. CLICK HERE for more statistics http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast_facts/index.htm

With such a great risk of cancer, why do people continue to smoke? It often seems easier to have just one more smoke than to endure the painful withdrawal symptoms of quitting.

There is a way to help YOU get healthy and significantly reduce your risk of cancer-related illnesses without all of the discomfort typically associated with quitting cold turkey, such as irritibilitly, anxiety, short temper, inability to focus,etc.

Alpha Lifestyles Center of Birmingham offers a unique Laser Therapy program to help minimize  the withdrawal sypmtoms, greatly improving the likelihood of a full recovery and long-term freedom from nicotine addiction.

The time is NOW! The place is Alpha Lifestyle Center of Birmingham. And the reason is YOU! Many of Alpha’s customers report that quitting smoking is THE MOST difficult thing that they have ever had to do, so why do it alone?? Let us help you help yourself. Call Alpha Lifestyle Center of Birmingham today #248-594-1303.

Although quitting smoking is one of the best decisions you can make for you health, it is not an easy task and often comes with a great deal of discomfort. Withdrawal symptoms and side effects from Nicotine Replacement Therapies and Drugs can dampen your determination to kick the habit.

Alpha Lifestyle Center of Birmingham offers laser therapy for the treatment of nicotine addiction, designed to minimize (and sometimes even eliminate) the side effects/withdrawal symptoms associated with stopping nicotine use (cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, nicotine gum, patches, inhalers). Laser treatment to quit smoking is a unique and comprehensive alternative to traditional methods without pain, needles, drugs or side effects.

When quitting smoking, many different areas of your body are affected, especially moods and emotions. Irritation and depression are common when quitting smoking as is difficulty in focusing on even the simplest of tasks. Click Here for some great information about the challenges of quitting smoking, the rationale for withdrawal symptoms and additional tips for managing the temporary discomfort of nicotine withdrawal.

Does stress drive us to smoke…or does smoking cause us stress?

Many smokers use stress as an excuse for putting off quitting smoking because they are conditioned to use cigarettes to cope with stress.  For this reason, quitting isn’t usually recognized as a stress-reduction technique.  But, whether it is stress to the body, pocketbook, conscience, image, family or property, smoking actually causes stress.  Smokers-please take a moment to discover just how much less stressful life will be without cigarettes. 

As a smoker: choosing to continue a behavior that is proven to be harmful (or is already problematic) causes stress; Spending money on cigarettes (that would be better spent elsewhere) causes stress; There may be someone in your life pressuring you to quit, further contributing to your stress; You may be ashamed of being a smoker, which is stressful; And maybe you’re even hiding your habit from disapproving friends, family members, co-workers or people you worship with…… being deceitful  ALWAYS compounds stress. Also, do you remember the anguish of burning a hole in your new couch, car seat or favorite sweater?

These are all in addition to the stress associated with the growing inconvenience of merely being a smoker: When will I be able to smoke? Where will I be able to smoke? Will I have enough time to smoke? Do I have enough cigarettes? How cold is it?

If you’ve heard you inner, addictive mind suggest that you’re under too much stress to quit smoking right now, review this article again and reconsider how much stress quitting smoking can eliminate. The empowering and liberating feelings that emerge from quitting smoking will fuel your ability to manage the other, UN-modifiable stressors in your life. Remember….smoking is a MODIFYABLE behavior.

The decision to quit smoking doesn’t usually occur overnight. Only you will know when the time is right. Quitting for good usually takes practice…..so don’t get discouraged. BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF  about the effects that smoking has on your life. Write them down so that you can literally SEE how much stress can be eliminated altogether by quitting.  Good Luck!

Kelly Lewis-Alpha Lifestyle Center of Birmingham 

The tobacco company is targeting individuals who resolve to quit smoking in 2011 suggesting that they switch to smokeless tobacco pouches. Matthew Myers, President-Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids says “These ads are trying to take advantage of the fact that around the first of every year many people try to quit smoking altogether. These ads aren’t designed to help people quit, they’re designed to keep people using tobacco.”

The Food & Drug Administration, which regulates tobacco advertising, is reviewing the Reynolds ad campaign which includes ads showing the tobacco-filled white pouches falling from the sky like confetti and one featuring the product ringed into a holiday wreath. 

 Tobacco companies are experiencing declining revenues from cigarette sales as a result of  rising taxes, smoking bans and declining social acceptability, so it is no suprise that they have stepped-up the marketing of their smokeless tobacco products.

As a result of the increasing stigma associated with being a smoker today, there appears to be a growing number of “closet” smokers; smokers who hide their habit from others.  This time of year a disproportionate number of closet smokers seek assistance with quitting smoking because, for the closet smoker, the holidays can be a perfect time to quit. Traditional thinking about quitting smoking (or making any major lifestyle change)  typically disqualifies the holidays as a fitting time to quit smoking because of the added stress during the holidays. This is not necessarily the case with the closet smoker.

The month of December is full of social events, commitments, visitors, friends and family. For the closet smoker merely NOT being able to enjoy smoking as they are accustomed to can be the most stressful thing about the holidays.  For a closet smoker,  feelings of anxiety begin to mount just anticipating the challenges of sneaking a cigarette without blowing their cover. Feelings of stress and anxiety are also withdrawal symptoms that result from significantly restricted nicotine use

If you are even considering quitting smoking sometime in the future, I urge you to consider why now is the perfect time.

Quitting smoking during the holidays eliminates the stress associated with hiding smoking from others who disapprove.  Additionally, it can accelerate the withdrawal period because the initial (and most intense) period of withdrawal will occur alongside other holiday distractions.

 Also, consider why you’re a closet smoker. Chances are the reason for hiding your habit is another source of stress, which can be ELIMINATED by quitting smoking.

Common reasons for hiding smoking: A disapproving parent, spouse or relative; Impressionable child; Friend, co-worker or relative of a cancer vicitm/survivor; Guilt or self-conscience re: cost/health/image/

Whatever the reason, closest smokers are carrying a heavy and unhealthy burden; one which is completely gone when they quit smoking once and for all.  Unfortunately, the burden of hiding being a smoker can be so overwhelming that a time of joy and celebration is masked by feelings of restriction, deprivation and resentment.

Quitting smoking is a liberating and empowering experience because it is such a  challenging task. Smokers really need to trust that quitting smoking is one decision that they will never regret.

Unfortunately, closet smokers don’t have a support team to call on when quitting smoking. They can’t post their plans to quit smoking on Facebook (which solicits support from friends) or recruit others for support, making quitting even more challenging. In an effort to help, Alpha Lifestyle Center of Birmingham has a confidential, comprehensive and alternative approach to quitting smoking without pain, needles, drugs or side effect. For more information about the program, visit www.alphalaserinfo.com or call 248-594-1303.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 603,000 people, including 165,000 children, die each year worldwide due to secondhand smoke.  This equates to around one out of every 100 deaths.  A recent study revealed the following statistics

·         40% of children, 33% of male non-smokers and 35% of female non-smokers are exposed to secondhand smoke.

·         Each year, exposure causes approximately 379,000 deaths from heart disease; 165,000 from lower respiratory infections; 36,900 from asthma and 21,400 from lung cancer.

·         47% of deaths from secondhand smoke occurred in women; 28% occurred in children and 26% in men.

·         Childhood deaths tended to be most common in low and middle-income countries, while adult deaths were spread across countries of all incomes.

It is hoped that the recent public smoking bans that have taken effect in various cities and states across the United States will lower these numbers in the years go come.  Not only is it important to quit smoking for you own health, but for the health of your friends, family and others around you.  Alpha Life Style Center offers the help you or a loved one needs to quit smoking.