Dr Lim Ing Ruen

Smoking is really a trigger that can ruin your nose and surrounding sinus tissues. Surprised! Well if you’re are smoker or there is someone from your family who smokes, it is better to come out of this habit if you really don’t want this to happen to you or your loved ones.

First, you may want to know what sinuses really are. Well, the sinuses are air filled bony structures on the inner walls of your nose. There are about four pairs of sinuses, with frontal pair located on the forehead, the sphenoid at epicenter of the skull, ethmoids in between eyes and the maxillary sinuses just below the cheeks. The sinuses respond with nose through a small outlet known as ostium. The sinuses are lined in a pseudo stratified pillared epithelium which consists of mucus secreted cup-shaped cells and ciliated cells. These sinuses are responsible for enhancing vocal resonance, lightening skulls and condition inhaled air. The major function is production of mucus, which has antimicrobial properties. According to American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology, almost 31 million of the population is affected by sinus infections every year. Tobacco smoke is alleged to release as much as 4000 toxins most of which are carcinogenic. The active smokers inhale and exhale the mainstream smoke. The side stream smoke wafts from cigarette ends, pipes and cigars.

The second hand smoke is amalgamation of side stream and mainstream smoke that non smokers are exposed to. Cigarette smoking has adverse effects on cilia function, resulting in stagnant mucus that gets collected in sinuses. As a result, the sinus ostia get blocked by dried mucus, restricting proper drainage of mucus. Cigarette smoking causes several airborne allergies, like nasal blockage, aggravated Asthma and running nose. Passive smokers may also be victims of Asthma and allergies. Exposure to cigarette smoke above critical levels may cause metaplasia in the upper lining of nose, which is just a start of carcinogenesis. Rhino sinusitis is an infection that affects sinuses and nose and usually begins as viral infection that normally takes three to four days to recover. Although chain smokers and second hand smokers are unable to recover and they might also be affected with bacterial sinusitis. In cases where viral flu takes more than five days to recover, it is best to consult a physician and take antibiotics. Saline douches may also help in cleansing the blocked mucus and moisten the nose lining. You may also opt for allergy tests to determine the root cause of such allergies, which may be due to dust, or from pollen and pests. Cancer of nose is threatening and its early symptoms are blood discharge and nasal blockages. Nasoendoscopy is suggested for people with chronic symptoms. This simple procedure helps in having proper treatments.

If you have developed nasal allergies, it is better to safeguard against ecological exposure to allergens and using steroid sprays and prior to surgery or radio therapy it is better to have a CT scan done.

Dr Lim Ing Ruen is a Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon at the Singapore Medical Specialists centre. For more information , please visit www. Sgsmc.com

“There is no wonder drug that will improve a smoker’s libido,” Dr Tan said. His advice for smokers is to subscribe to a healthy lifestyle, which means quitting smoking and taking up activities such as exercises that will help to improve libido.

Nicotine Cravings and Withdrawal Symptoms

Quitting is not easy.  You may experience intermittent withdrawal symptoms and cravings when your body is deprived of nicotine and other chemicals in tobacco smoke.  These will come and go over a period of a few days to about three weeks, and not every smoker is affected by these withdrawal symptoms to the same degree.

You can quit smoking your habit in just 38 minutes & 13 seconds….. Click Here Now To Find Out How!

Cravings last about 3 – 5 minutes each and may be intense in the highly nicotine-dependent individuals.  However, as you continue to deny yourself of cigarettes, the cravings will happen less often and become less intense.  And before long, you will be independent of nicotine! Few smokers quit without getting cravings so if you want to succeed, you must get through them.

You may consider trying some of the following tips:

• overcome your urge to smoke.
• discard anything that reminds you of smoking
• focus on the reasons to quit and pin them in your favourite smoking corners
• pen down a few things you would do instead of smoking when you are hit with a craving.  For example, “I’ll do a 5-minute manicure when I feel like smoking.” or “I’ll mow the lawn when I feel like smoking”
• take 3 to 4 deep breaths during cravings.  Breath in slowly through your nose and fill your lungs, then breath out again slowly through the mouth.  Repeat till your craving passes
• for the weight-conscious, sip a glass of plain water slowly if you experiencing increased appetite while quitting
• stay busy by taking a walk, doing an odd job around the house, work in the garden, shopping or call a friend
• speak to your pharmacist, smoking cessation counsellor, friends or relatives for encouragement when you fell too weak to move with your quit plan

You can quit smoking your habit in just 38 minutes & 13 seconds….. Click Here Now To Find Out How!

Most importantly, never feel lousy about yourself if you succumb to temptation.  A smoker usually needs a few tries to successfully quit and your friendly pharmacists and smoking cessation counsellors will always be around should you need help.

Here is to success and a set of cleaner lungs.

We have other tips and information regarding quit smoking.  You can read them HERE…

Extracted for Healthy Times Magazine issue 25

Did you read the news last week that with effect from 1 April 2009, there will be a large federal tax hike on tobacco products in USA?

Will this tax hike have all smokers digging deeper into their pockets to fund their smoking habit?  Isn’t the current economic situation bad enough that people are skimping on every penny and yet there is a hike to tobacco products?

The tax increase is USD 62 cents. That is an incredible increase of 158%!

This brings the total tax on a pack of cigarettes up to USD 1.01 all over America.  Areas that already having high tobacco taxes will be paying as much as USD 10 – USD 12 per pack of cigarettes.

Learn how you can quit smoking habit in just 38 minutes & 13 seconds…..

If you have the habit of smoking a pack a day, if you do your sums properly, you can expect to spend as much as USD 360 a month on cigarettes.

Imagine if there are more than one smoker in your household.

Let say there are 5 smokers in a household of 7 people.  With USD 360 spend a month per person, you can expect a total monthly expenditure of USD 1,800 just on cigarettes alone.

This figure is startling!  It will definitely cause a huge “hole” in the pocket.

In the current depressing economy we are all living in today, is the tax hike justifiable?

Will this new hike be a tipping point for smokers to quit in droves?

Please leave share your comments and feedback.  We love to hear from you.

A number of people who take a “breath of fresh air” at work when stressed end up taking a smoking break.  The fact that smoking is not conducive for indoor environments makes it convenient for smokers to have a puff while they are out of the office, even in the great outdoors.

You can quit your smoking habit in just 38 minutes & 13 seconds… Click Here To Learn How To Do It

One of the most addictive substances known to man, nicotine is powerful and fast-acting, being the chemical which causes addition to cigarettes.  It is a substance that has many different effects on the body at the same time, including being a stimulant.

It produces feelings of relaxation and reduced anxiety when the pleasure-related areas of the brain are stimulated.  After a puff one usually feels good for a while, which is why many smokers view smoking as a source of stress relief.

As you continue to smoke, your body grows to depend on nicotine.  When you stop smoking, you get ‘nicotine cravings’ along with other withdrawal symptoms such as:

• headaches
• sore throat
• insomnia
• cough
• anxiety
• increased appetite
• weight gain
• lack of concentration

This leads to a vicious “reward-punishment” cycle.

Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for Part 2

Extracted for Healthy Times Magazine volume 25

Smoking causes skin to break out into acne. This terrible skin problem is due to the harmful carcinogenic chemicals found in cigarette smoke which enters the bloodstream. A hormonal imbalance then occurs which causes the skin to secrete more oil.

Oil or sebum as it’s called is produced to help keep the skin soft and smooth, but too much oil mixes with the dead cells of the skin, resulting in pores becoming clogged and pimples and acne developing.

Learn how you can quit smoking habit in just 38 minutes & 13 seconds..

Acne that’s suffered by smokers is the non-inflammatory type. It is different from the type found in non-smokers. This non-inflammatory type is distinguished by large ugly blackheads and blocked pores.

If you are a chain smoker, the more you’re likely to develop acne. Unfortunately for non-smokers, being exposed to passive smoke can also cause your skin to break out.

There’s also a strong link between acne and women smokers. Around 50% of women who smoke get acne, which can be very damaging to their self-esteem too.

Smokers also secrete less Vitamin E, compared to non-smokers. Vitamin E is necessary for healthy skin. A smoker who has had acne in their teens is also four times more likely to have it when older compared to a non-smoker. To make matters worse, smoking also promotes early aging and wrinkling of the skin.

Learn how you can quit smoking habit in just 38 minutes & 13 seconds..

Exercise regularly. It will regulate hormone production in the body. Have a good diet. Five servings of fruits and vegetables are strongly recommended. Drinking lots of water will also flush the toxins from your body. Try and avoid meals which are rich in fat and sugar too.

Quit smoking! It will definitely lead to improvement in your skin quality and general health.

Many smokers have a hard time quitting smoking because the habit is so addictive. Even though they are aware of the risks involved, they still continue to light up. Well now, there is an alternative solution to help smokers avoid the harmful effects of smoking. It’s called the electronic cigarette or e-cigarette sometimes.

Quit Smoking – Learn how you can quit smoking habit in just 38 minutes & 13 seconds…..

Electronic cigarettes give you the desired effect of smoking real cigarettes without the health risks involved. Some of the risks of smoking a real cigarette include the development of harmful diseases such as oral cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer, heart disease and respiratory infection.

So how does an e-cigarette work? When you smoke an e-cigarette, a flow sensor is activated that releases water vapour containing nicotine, scent and propylene glycol, which imitates the flavour of tobacco. You get all your nicotine cravings without the harmful cancer causing chemicals like glue, hydrocarbons, arsenic, tar and carbon monoxide.

Electronic cigarettes come with refillable cartridges and there is a wide range of flavours and nicotine strengths to choose from. These include menthol, regular, apple and strawberry which are available in zero, light, medium and full nicotine strengths.

Benefits of smoking an e-cigarette

Not only will electronic cigarettes improve the quality of your health, but you won’t have to worry about causing your loved ones any harm with second hand smoke. It’s even legal to smoke electronic cigarettes in public areas such as bars, clubs and at your office.

If you are looking to quit smoking, but are having a hard time doing so, why not try electronic cigarettes today! There are also various other smoking alternatives to electronic cigarettes such as nicotine patches, prescription tablets and nicotine gums.

Quit Smoking – Learn how you can quit smoking habit in just 38 minutes & 13 seconds…..

Liver cancer, also known as hepatocellular cancer (HCC), arises from hepatocytes (liver cells). HCC often develops only in liver that is severely damaged by longstanding diseases or chemicals. The liver becomes hardened and shrunken – a condition called liver cirrhosis.

Smoking can cause liver cancer. Learn how you can quit smoking habit in just 38 minutes & 13 seconds…..

The liver can also be subjected to another form of cancer, called secondary or metastatic cancer. The main cancer forms elsewhere in the body and secondary deposits are formed in the liver. A common example is colorectal cancer spreading to the liver via the bloodstream.

How common is Liver Cancer

Liver Cancer is common in South East Asia, including Singapore. This is due to the presence of chronic hepatitis B and C infection in the population. In Singapore, liver cancer is the 4^th most common cancer. It is more common in males and among the Chinese population.

Risk Factors

The risk factors of HCC are similar to those for liver cirrhosis:

• Chronic infection with Hepatitis B and C viruses
• Excessive consumption of alcohol
• Aflatoxin, a poisonous substance produced by a fungus found in mouldy peanuts and grains
• Chemicals such as nitrites, hydrocarbons, solvents, vinyl chloride are known carcinogens linked to HCC
• Inherited conditions which cause liver cirrhosis, such as haemachromatosis, Wilson’s disease

Signs & Symptoms

These usually do not show up until the later stages:

• One of the most common presentations is loss of appetite, loss of weight and tiredness
• When the cancer is big, the patient may note a persistent pain or a lump in his upper right abdomen
• Increase in the abdomen girth
• Jaundice
• Dramatic change in the overall condition of a person with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis

Prevention

• Vaccinate against hepatitis B virus. In Singapore, all newborns are vaccinated
• Avoid contact with known liver carcinogens, especially alcohol
• Avoid heavy meat and animal fat intake. Avoid mouldy peanuts and grains
• Go for regular screening if you are in the high risk group

Treatments

There are various treatments available to sufferers of HCC. These include:

• Surgery. It involves removing one lobe of the liver (hepatectomy). This is a major operation with small risk of complications and death.
• Chemotherapy. Uses toxic drugs to kill the cancer.
• Radiation treatment. Combined with chemotherapy, it offers some benefits in inoperable HCC.
• Newer treatments. Use of cryosurgery, ethanol injection, high energy waves to destroy the HCC. Another method is the introduction of a plastic tube into the hepatic artery for the purpose of injecting substances to kill the cancer or stop its blood supply. At present, such treatment is used in the palliation of inoperable HCC.

Smoking can cause liver cancer. Learn how you can quit smoking habit in just 38 minutes & 13 seconds…..

Founded in 1964, the Singapore Cancer Society is a self-funding voluntary welfare organisation with a mission to prevent and control cancer through education, research and patient care services. They provide financial aid to needy cancer patients, rehabilitation care for patients receiving treatment, cancer support groups and hospice home care services for terminally ill cancer patients. Other services include free screening for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers.Is it possible for you to quit your smoking habit in just 38 minutes & 13 seconds?  Find out how NOW …..

The Singapore Cancer Society depends on public donations to fund these services. If you wish to donate, please send a crossed cheque to the Singapore Cancer Society. Please call them or visit their website if you need more information on cancer or their services.

Address: Singapore Cancer Society

15 Enggor Street, #04-01, Realty Centre, Singapore 079716

Tel: 6221 9578

E-mail: enquiry@singaporecancersociety.org.sg

Website: http://singaporecancersociety.org.sg

SINGAPORE CANCER SOCIETY – CENTRAL SINGAPORE CANCER SCREENING & EDUCATION CENTRE

Block 22, Boon Keng Road #01-11, Singapore 330022

Tel: 6396 6241

Can Tel (Cancer Information Service): 6221 0133

]]> http://e-healthytimes.com/blog/singapore-cancer-society/feed 0 http://e-healthytimes.com/blog/women-and-smoking http://e-healthytimes.com/blog/women-and-smoking#comments Thu, 26 Mar 2009 02:54:48 +0000 editor http://e-healthytimes.com/blog/?p=631 Join and Support us in our Anti-Smoking Campaign by giving support and encouragements to those who are trying to quit smoking or your personal pledge to quit smoking in 2009.  For further details go to Healthy Times Magazine Anti-Smoking Campaign here Now!

A corporate drive to encourage women to quit smoking was launched earlier this month in partnership with ‘Fresh Air For Women’, the Health Promotion Board’s flagship campaign to help women smokers kick the damaging habit.

The proportion of young females aged 18 to 29 years who were daily smokers rose from 5.2% in 1998 to 6.6% in 2004 and among these young women, smoking was most prevalent among Malays (17%), compared to their Chinese (5.1%) and Indian (2.4%) counterparts.“It is worrying that younger women are taking up smoking because women bear more health risks than men. According to the World Health Organisation, women smokers are at a higher risk of heart attack than men smokers. Smoking also increases their chances of cervical cancer and impaired fertility. This is why we want to focus our efforts on helping women quit the habit,” said Ms Joann Taylor, Deputy Director, Substance Abuse Programme, Health Promotion Board.

With the increasing number of women smokers in Singapore, Fresh Air For Women (FAFW) has initiated a Corporate Social Responsibility movement aimed at building women’s confidence and strengthening their resolve to quit smoking.

Learn how you can quit smoking habit in just 38 minutes & 13 seconds…..

As part of the initiative, FAFW will distribute free novellas to engage women and get them thinking about the importance of leading healthy, smoke-free lifestyles. The novellas narrate the compelling stories of four women in different stages of their lives and the varied paths that they take to wellness.

From a young mother who wants to be a good role model for her daughter to a single woman who starts to notice the effect of smoking on her fitness level and skin, the stories are based on the experiences of real-life smokers who have made the decision to stub out the habit. Previous Fresh Air For Women campaigns have shown that women relate best to the sharing of real-life stories. Personal encounters give impetus to women to make a change in their lives.

Major players like Page One Bookshop, Top shop, Dorothy Perkins, Robinsons, Coast, River Island, Principles, Wayang Retreat Spa Group, Lush Nails, The Spa Esprit Group, The Nail Spa & Wellness, Le Futur Jewels and SHS Hair Studio Prestige as well as the Shunji Matsuo Hair Salon Group have signed on to this CSR initiative. They will contribute to the campaign by displaying these novellas prominently at their outlets islandwide.

Learn how you can quit smoking habit in just 38 minutes & 13 seconds…..

Entitled “Confessions of Real Women”, the novellas, which are tastefully designed in the style of popular “chick-lit” titles consist of four individual stories: “A Goddess and Her Little Goddess,” “When Age Isn’t Just a Number”, “Running Through The Haze” and “The Big Pay-Off”. The novellas are already available at the above-mentioned locations.