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When you quit smoking, you experience the physical withdrawal of nicotine as well as the mental e- ects of quitting. Irritability, anger, frustration and diƒ culty concentrating are all common challenges people face when quitting. Although quitting is diƒ cult, resources are available to help you quit for good: Phone a friend. Your support network of family, friends and coworkers is an asset. Tell them about your plans to quit and ask them for their support while you pursue your goal. Whether it's hearing you out during a late-night phone call or making plans for smoke-free settings, they can help. Tell your physician. Your primary care provider can discuss the pros and cons of nicotine therapy, o- er prescription medication for smoking cessation and refer you to support groups in the area. Get creative with cravings. Nicotine cravings are real and powerful. Create strategies to deal with them before they hit. Whether it's keeping a snack (such as carrots, celery or gum) handy, going for a walk or lighting a candle, know your plan of attack to avoid lighting up. A Plan Make Your NRT Guide Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is one strategy smokers can use to quit. NRT prevents severe withdrawal symptoms by allowing you to slowly reduce the amount of nicotine in your body. Types of NRT include: • gum • inhalers • lozenges • nasal sprays • skin patches The more cigarettes you smoked, the higher dose of nicotine you will need to start. Follow your NRT based on the instructions on the package, as your dosage may di¢ er based on the type you choose — a single patch is worn over the course of a day, while you can chew one or two pieces of nicotine gum every hour. Do not smoke while using nicotine replacement, as this can be dangerous. NRT is most e¢ ective when used with a stop smoking support program. People who quit smoking after a heart attack reduce their chances of having another heart attack by 50 percent. Pulmonologists specialize in diagnosing and treating disorders of the respiratory system — including the airway, lungs and respiratory muscles. These physicians are specially trained to help when your ability to breathe is compromised. They also manage abnormalities, including lung nodules and pulmonary fibrosis (scarring in the lungs), detected on chest¤X-rays. If you experience di…culty breathing or other concerning symptoms, your primary care doctor is your best resource to help determine the treatment you may need. If your symptoms are severe or you have a previously diagnosed respiratory condition, you may choose to have your doctor refer you to a pulmonologist. At CHRISTUS St. Vincent Pulmonary & Critical Care Associates, our providers combine their expertise with the latest diagnostic and therapeutic technologies to diagnose and treat lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep disorders and more. Questions? Concerns? Please contact us. CHRISTUS St. Vincent Pulmonary & Critical Care Associates 465 St. Michael's Drive, Suite 209 Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505) 984-2600 Should I See a Pulmonologist? Fall 2016 | st vin.org HEALTH AWARE 5