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Suggest Ways To Quit Smoking

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Posted on Fri, 13 Jan 2017
Question: i am 45 youngest of three, I look exactly like my mom did. however my mom hated dr's. she had copd and unfortunately she passed away on may 21 2014 Please help, I have 2 minor boys and I am a widow

my e-mail may not be working. my home phone is XXXX thank you!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (40 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

I can understand that you may be worried that your genetics are just like your mom's since you look like her. But even if you look like her, you do have the genetics of both your mom and dad.

I am concerned though that you are a smoker with respiratory problems. I don't know the rest of your health history, but tobacco is an enormous health risk for pretty much every kind of cancer, COPD, increased risk of infections and poor healing. I know that it is very hard to quit. I've had patients who told me it was easier to get off heroin. But it is possible. If a person smokes more than 1 pack per day, I recommend a tapering system of nicotine patches. But that only helps with nicotine withdrawal. It doesn't help with the cravings, which can be fierce, and with the blue feeling from giving up cigarettes. For that I recommend Zyban (Bupropion), an antidepressant that is especially good for dealing with cravings, and doesn't cause weight gain. I also recommend participating in a group - for support, and also for ideas for being prepared to replace cigarettes with other things and other situations.

This might not be the answer you wanted to hear, but it is the number one most important thing for anyone to do if they are a smoker and want to live a healthy long life.

Can I help further?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3133 Questions

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Suggest Ways To Quit Smoking

Brief Answer: Information Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXXXX I can understand that you may be worried that your genetics are just like your mom's since you look like her. But even if you look like her, you do have the genetics of both your mom and dad. I am concerned though that you are a smoker with respiratory problems. I don't know the rest of your health history, but tobacco is an enormous health risk for pretty much every kind of cancer, COPD, increased risk of infections and poor healing. I know that it is very hard to quit. I've had patients who told me it was easier to get off heroin. But it is possible. If a person smokes more than 1 pack per day, I recommend a tapering system of nicotine patches. But that only helps with nicotine withdrawal. It doesn't help with the cravings, which can be fierce, and with the blue feeling from giving up cigarettes. For that I recommend Zyban (Bupropion), an antidepressant that is especially good for dealing with cravings, and doesn't cause weight gain. I also recommend participating in a group - for support, and also for ideas for being prepared to replace cigarettes with other things and other situations. This might not be the answer you wanted to hear, but it is the number one most important thing for anyone to do if they are a smoker and want to live a healthy long life. Can I help further?