Tag Archives: Specific Substances

Cigar Smoking: Facts and Fiction

General Health and Wellness, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Fidel-Castro-smoking-ciga-001 mouth_cancer_cr

It’s the latest, greatest, coolest past-time.  Endorsed and practiced by celebrities the world over, cigar smoking has clearly and successfully marketed itself as a convenience of the successful.  Even the notion that the ‘best’ cigars are forbidden fruit (i.e. come from Cuba) adds to the allure if and when you’re able to wrap your lips around one.  I wasn’t surprised, but it’s worth noting that beyond the success stories received from those of you who have successfully stopped cigarette smoking, the next set of questions involved whether cigar smoking is a safe alternative.
Since you have little old me taking on an $8 billion a year industry and the wrath of the very passionate, I have no recourse but to arm myself with some data – cold, hard facts.

  • 49% of all cigars sold are large cigars.  A single large cigar contains as much tobacco as an entire pack of cigarettes.
  • Cigar use is on the rise, with over 13 million people identifying as current users.
  • 15% of male students in grades 9-12 are current users.
  • African-Americans have the highest rate of cigar smoking (among ethnicities/races), with a 7.7% user rate.

You want to know the effects of cigar smoking?  Let’s cut to the chase.
Here are the five “SURGEON GENERAL WARNING” text-only labels, one of which must be displayed on all cigar packaging and advertisements.  This is done on a rotating basis.

  1. Cigar Smoking Can Cause Cancers Of The Mouth and Throat, Even if You Do Not Inhale.
  2. Cigar Smoking Can Cause Lung Cancer and Heart Disease.
  3. Tobacco Use Increases the Risk of Infertility, Stillbirth and Low Birth Weight.
  4. Cigars Are Not A Safe Alternative To Cigarettes.
  5. Tobacco Smoke Increases The Risk of Lung Cancer And Heart Disease, Even In Nonsmokers. 

Beyond what the Surgeon General requires, here are some additional facts:

  • All tobacco smoke contains more than 60 chemicals that can cause cancer, and cigar smoke is no exception.
  • Regular cigar smoking increases your risk for the following cancers: lung, esophagus, larynx (your voice box), and oral cavity (lips, tongue, mouth and throat).
  • Cigar smoking is linked to gum disease and tooth decay and loss.
  • In addition to lung cancer, heavy cigar smoking increases the risk for emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

The bottom line?

Cigar smoking is not a safe alternative to cigarette smoking.

There is no level of cigar smoking that does not pose health risks.

As always, it’s not my chore to convince you to do or not to do; freedom of choice is a beautiful thing.  That said, be advised that if you read this blog, you will be an informed consumer.  I welcome your comments or questions.
Feel free to ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic.
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Straight, No Chaser: The Week In Review

General Health and Wellness, The Week In Review, , , , , , ,

week-in-review-header3-589x237
Happy Sunday, everyone. In the midst another all-time best week here, I got to discuss the topics I spend most of my time discussing with patients in the emergency department: high blood pressure, smoking and obesity. What that triad has in common is how they manifest in many different disease presentations. Well, at least now you know. I guess drinking and STDs will have to wait for another time. Here’s your week in review. Feel free to click the underlined topics to access the original posts.
We started the week on Sunday reviewing how the nerve gas sarin, allegedly used against the citizens of Syria, creates death and disease. Someone actually asked me why the victim in the lead picture was wearing shaving cream. That’s not shaving cream, folks. Victims wallow in their own secretions from everywhere, including salivation, excessive tearing, runny nose, diarrhea, urination, vomiting and lung secretions before they die of respiratory failure. We certain wish the best for the people of Syria and the country as a whole.
We spent Monday reviewing high blood pressure (hypertension), also known as the silent killer because yes, it can cause you to drop dead without knowing what happened. Just remember to try not to poison the pump that delivers oxygen and nourishment throughout the body (That would be your heart!). In part two of our hypertension review, we gave you numbers to know for monitoring your blood pressure and cues as to when that high pressure warrants a visit to the ER. I’d suggest you commit a few brain cells to that information. That’s information that could save your life, given the time dependent nature of treating the strokes and heart attacks that result from high blood pressure.
On Tuesday, we began reviewing smoking cessation and the benefits associated with it. We also discussed best practices in achieving smoking cessation. It remains interesting that many more people use the patch to stop (and many do so successfully), but stopping cold turkey remains the most effective way of stopping, for those able to pull it off. Consider the 10 Quick Tips I offered and consider working with your physician on the START method. I know this is a struggle. Over two-thirds of smokers want to stop, and over half attempt to stop every year. I wish you the best if you’re in that group.
On Wednesday, we took a look at obesity in America. Based on the data, it’s clear more people are choosing the pursuit of happiness (in excess) over the pursuit of health. That said, we’re still doing something right, as our life expectancy continues to increase despite approximately two-thirds of us being overweight (although we’re living longer with more disease).
On Thursday, we reviewed the health risks of obesity and introduced you to the caloric equation, which largely determines if you’re gaining or losing weight. It’s actually a pretty simple concept that you might consider learning, because every bit you lose reduces the load on your heart (in particular) and other organs. These relative, incremental amounts do matter.
Friday was a fun day, because we discussed solutions instead of just problems. We talked about how to lose weight the good old-fashioned way, reviewing how to pace yourself, set reasonable expectations and lose healthily. Just remember it’s going to take a lifestyle change, not a fad. The tortoise always did beat the hare. On Friday, we also discussed how to jump-start your metabolism, regardless of age. The Quick Tips I gave you couldn’t be simpler and do make a difference.
On Saturday, we completely switched gears and reviewed the painful topic of hemorrhoids. Don’t forget the self-help tip ‘WASH’, and trust me, your goal is to stay away from the ER or surgeon with these. Deal with them sooner rather than later, before it becomes a pain for everyone involved! Saturday, we returned to smoking – this time of the cigar variety. I had to bring the Surgeon General along to point out the cigar smoking is not a safe alternative to cigarettes. Can you believe a single large cigar contains as much nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes? Who knew?
Your comments, concerns and disagreements are welcome. My goal is always to provide you information that you incorporate into making your lives happier and healthier, not to be the ‘health morality police’. As the obesity posts noted, there is too often a crossroads between health and happiness. When you’re younger, you really are investing in your health to secure your future happiness, because as you age, there is a much higher correlation being your health and your happiness. My mental health colleagues will be quick to tell you how the lack of health as you age leads to higher rates of depression and suicide in the elderly. Your goal is to head down the road that offers both health and happiness. And speaking of aging…
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Cigar Smoking: Facts and Fiction

Cardiology/Heart, Hematology & Oncology/Blood Disorders/Cancer, Respiratory/Lungs, Health Prevention, , , , , , ,

Fidel-Castro-smoking-ciga-001 mouth_cancer_cr

It’s the latest, greatest, coolest past-time.  Endorsed and practiced by celebrities the world over, cigar smoking has clearly and successfully marketed itself as a convenience of the successful.  Even the notion that the ‘best’ cigars are forbidden fruit (i.e. come from Cuba) adds to the allure if and when you’re able to wrap your lips around one.  I wasn’t surprised, but it’s worth noting that beyond the success stories received from those of you who have successfully stopped cigarette smoking, the next set of questions involved whether cigar smoking is a safe alternative.
Since you have little old me taking on an $8 billion a year industry and the wrath of the very passionate, I have no recourse but to arm myself with some data – cold, hard facts.

  • 49% of all cigars sold are large cigars.  A single large cigar contains as much tobacco as an entire pack of cigarettes.
  • Cigar use is on the rise, with over 13 million people identifying as current users.
  • 15% of male students in grades 9-12 are current users.
  • African-Americans have the highest rate of cigar smoking (among ethnicities/races), with a 7.7% user rate.

You want to know the effects of cigar smoking?  Let’s cut to the chase.
Here are the five “SURGEON GENERAL WARNING” text-only labels, one of which must be displayed on all cigar packaging and advertisements.  This is done on a rotating basis.

  1. Cigar Smoking Can Cause Cancers Of The Mouth and Throat, Even if You Do Not Inhale.
  2. Cigar Smoking Can Cause Lung Cancer and Heart Disease.
  3. Tobacco Use Increases the Risk of Infertility, Stillbirth and Low Birth Weight.
  4. Cigars Are Not A Safe Alternative To Cigarettes.
  5. Tobacco Smoke Increases The Risk of Lung Cancer And Heart Disease, Even In Nonsmokers. 

Beyond what the Surgeon General requires, here are some additional facts:

  • All tobacco smoke contains more than 60 chemicals that can cause cancer, and cigar smoke is no exception.
  • Regular cigar smoking increases your risk for the following cancers: lung, esophagus, larynx (your voice box), and oral cavity (lips, tongue, mouth and throat).
  • Cigar smoking is linked to gum disease and tooth decay and loss.
  • In addition to lung cancer, heavy cigar smoking increases the risk for emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

The bottom line?

Cigar smoking is not a safe alternative to cigarette smoking.

There is no level of cigar smoking that does not pose health risks.

As always, it’s not my chore to convince you to do or not to do; freedom of choice is a beautiful thing.  That said, be advised that if you read this blog, you will be an informed consumer.  I welcome your comments or questions.
Copyright © 2013 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Straight, No Chaser: Smoking Cessation

Respiratory/Lungs, Health Prevention, General Health and Wellness, , , , , , , , ,

smoking stop
You’ve all been asked what things you’d take with you on a desert island.  I’ll pose and answer the opposite question, but not on an island but regarding your life.  Getting you to stop smoking is certainly one of the three gifts I’d offer you if it was within my power.  This post won’t be about the dangers of smoking – I’ll continue to hit you over the head with those at every opportunity.  Given that I’m into producing positive outcomes, I’m going to discuss with you effective means of smoking cessation and the benefits of stopping.
The question on your mind is obviously how to stop.  Personally, I’m of the Yoda mindset.  You know, when he was teaching Luke Skywalker, he famously said “Do or Do not. There is no try.”  I can hear you now, “But Doc, I’m addicted…”  Sure you are.  There are many things in medicine about which I’m absolutely sure.  One of these is the most effective way to stop smoking is to quit.  Cold turkey.  The moment you’re motivated.  Not only is this premise supported by the data, which I’ll discuss momentarily, but here’s the benefit of over 20 years in clinical emergency medicine practice and having seen hundreds of people stop, stay stopped, and letting me know months and years later that they stayed stopped.  Despite being addicted, people are amazingly able to quit cold turkey, and they will do it in one of five circumstances.

When they develop the will

After the birth of their first child

After their first heart attack

After their first stroke

When they die

For those of you convinced that you can’t, here’s a fact: today there are more former smokers than current smokers.

I want to point out that I appreciate the difference between cigarette smoking and nicotine dependence.  My particular concern for your health lies in the delivery of smoke (containing over 7000 other toxins, approximately 70 of which can cause various cancers) into the airway system that is supposed to deliver oxygen throughout your body for the maintenance and health of your organ systems.  Still I want you to know I understand and appreciate the difficulty of smoking cessation.

  • Nicotine dependence in the most common chemical dependence in the U.S.
  • Quitting smoking often requires multiple attempts.
  • Nicotine withdrawal produces bothersome symptoms (e.g. irritability, reduced concentration, increased appetite with possible weight gain, and anxiety)

The good news is more than two-thirds of smokers profess a desire to stop smoking, and yearly over half of smokers attempt to stop.  That’s likely a result of knowing that no matter when you stop, you will improve your health outcomes.  Each incremental inhalation of cigarette and cigar smoke produces damage better left unproduced.  Let’s just hope you don’t wait until permanent damage has set in.  Consider a sampling of the following benefits that are sitting there waiting for you.

  • Reduction of the risk for cancers of the lung, esophagus, larynx (voice box), mouth, throat, kidney, bladder, pancreas, stomach and cervix, as well as certain leukemias.
  • Reduction of the risk for heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease.
  • Reduction of the risk for COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
  • Reduction of the risk for infertility

In my next post, I’ll review specific methods and tips to help you and/or your loved one stop.  Today’s as good of a day as any.
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