The Facts about Using Nicotine Patches to Quit Smoking
According to one study, smoking takes the lives of more than 450,000 each year. Given that it is the number one cause of death in the United States, scientists have developed many devices to curb the trend.
One of the things that people can use to quit smoking is a nicotine patch. These square tan bandages should be placed on the arm in the morning and taken out before going to bed. These were later available in transparent color so that others will not notice it.
In 1992, the first nicotine patch was developed. Doctors had to first prescribe these to patients in 1992. Four years later, the FDA approved the sale of these over the counter. If the person has hairy skin, people were advised to shave the portion around the area in order for this to stick for the whole day.
The patch works by delivering a small amount of nicotine into the body. Though this is the same thing that person gets from smoking, the main difference is that there are no harmful chemicals which can only come from the cigarette.
These are also available in various dosages. These are in 7, 14 and 21 milligrams. One cigarette contains 1 milligram of nicotine. So for those who smoke more than a pack a day, the recommended dosage will be 21 mg.
The dosage will be reduced in the following weeks until the person doesn’t need it anymore to avoid smoking.
Those who decide to use nicotine patches should be aware that there are certain side effects. These include itching, burning and tingling in the are where the patch was placed. This is caused by nicotine getting into contact with that part of the skin.
The person shouldn’t worry if there is a red patch when this is removed in the evening. This will go away in about an hour and return back to its normal color.
If however a rash develops, the patient is advised to get the advice of a doctor to find out if this type of treatment should be continued or not.
The use of nicotine patches is just one form of nicotine replacement therapy. The person should consult the doctor first if the individual can qualify for this and if this can be taken using other kinds of medication.
Nicotine patches are there to help the person mentally quit smoking. This can really help the patient experience withdrawal symptoms more easily compared to other forms such as chewing gum or eating a lollipop.
One nicotine patch costs about $4 a day. Given that this is expensive, some schools and municipalities have taken the initiative by making this free to smokers.
There are very instances that a person will get an overdose by using a nicotine patch. This can only happen if more than one is used on any given day. If the individual feels something wrong, it is best to call the doctor to see what remedy can be taken.
Smoking is a hard habit to break. The person should realize that nicotine patches is just one factor in quitting the habit. It is really up to the individual to stick with the program for the next few months in order to stop lighting a cigarette and inhaling harmful chemicals into the body.
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