Author Archives: Jackie Aim

Improve your wealth

purse

Currently a packet of 20 cigarettes costs around £8, so quitting will give a 20-a-day smoker an extra £56 a week.
You’ll also save money in other ways. Life, home and car insurance can all be cheaper when you’re a non-smoker.

For a 20-a-day smoker, in:

  • 1 day: you’ll have enough money to rent a movie or buy a few magazines.
  • 1 week: you could have enough money for a new pair of shoes, or a facial, a (really) cheap flight, a DVD box set, a day out with your family, or a day at the races.
  • 1 month: you could save enough for a shopping spree or premiership football tickets.
  • 3 months: you could afford two weeks in the sun, a new laptop, or the latest flat screen TV.
  • 6 months: you’ll have saved enough for a football season ticket, a family holiday, your own home cinema.
  • 1 year: you’ll be able to afford a new kitchen, flash designer jewellery, a car!

To find out more go to the on-line cost calculator at Can Stop Smoking website to find out how much smoking is costing you financially and how much you could be saving.

It is never too late to quit

No smoking in grounds and buildings

No smoking in grounds and buildings

These are some health benefits as soon as you quit smoking.

  • After 20 minutes – Blood pressure and pulse improve.
  • After 8 hours the level of nicotine in the blood is reduced.
  •  After 1 day – Lungs start to clear out mucous and other debris.
  • After 2 days – Sense of taste and sense of smell starts to improve.
  • After 3 days – Breathing becomes easier as bronchial tubes begin to relax.
  • After 3 months – Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve.
  • After 9 months – Lung function can improve by up to 10%.

How much do you know about smoking and asthma?

Q. Which of the following statements are true or false. Select true or false for each one.
1.
Your asthma may get worse when you first stop smoking
 

2.
Most smokers smoke out of choice
 

3.
Cutting down the number of cigarettes smoked is good
 

4.
It is more difficult to quit when living with someone who smokes
 

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Smoking and asthma

People who continue to smoke and have asthma will have:

  • Worse asthma symptoms due to irritation from the smoke.
  • More hospital admissions than non smokers.
  • Risk more lung damage including developing COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).
  • Reduced effect from inhalers and other medicine.
  • You may need higher does of preventer medicines to control symptoms.

Smoking worsens symptoms:

  • Increases frequency of inflammation.
  • Inflammation can be more severe.
  • There can be more symptoms.
  • Reduces your quality of life.

Smoking changes the lung:

  • Smoking alters airway by inflammation which in turn can lead to permanent damage after repeated exacerbations or flare ups.
  • Airways become narrower.
  • Gradual worsening of lung function.

Smoking affects the medicine you take:

  • Smoking affects the way some medicines work reducing the response and effectiveness of corticosteroids.

If you have asthma you should not smoke.

When to stop?

Person lighting up a cigarette

© Crown Copyright 2013

At first it may feel overwhelming to think about stopping. Don’t waste time feeling guilty about the past. Think about the future.

  • First of all you need to make the decision that you really want to stop. Only you know if you are ready to quit.
  • Then get all the help and support you need to give up.
  • You can do it! You are not alone.
  • There are lots of options to try. If the first time didn’t work for you try something else and get support at the same time.

Think about your personal reasons you have for quitting. It could be that your motivation comes from your family, to be a good role model for children or grandchildren? To be able to be more active? To have more money to spend on other things?

Self management

Most of all do it for yourself. Giving up smoking is one of the most important self management tips you can do to improve your health.

Oxygen alert card

A patient oxygen alert card
Too much oxygen may be dangerous for some people, particularly those with severe COPD. In an emergency it is useful to alert the emergency care team if this is the case. You may be given an Oxygen Alert Card and a Venturi oxygen mask. This will allow them to limit the amount of oxygen to a safe amount for you.

It is important that you keep this in a place where people can find it in an emergency. Some people keep it near the door of the  fridge with a sticker to alert staff , placed on the back of their front door or near the telephone. Just make sure it can be clearly seen. Ask your health care professional for further information.

Holiday and travel

Cartoon aeroplaneHoliday brochuresCartoon suitcase

Q. Can I still go on holiday?
Yes. You, or your health care professional can ask for a short term supply of oxygen for use on holiday within the U.K. For more information see Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland factsheet: Holidays [.pdf]

Q. What information do I need to give?

  • Full details of the temporary address.
  • Dates for which you’ll require the equipment.
  • Confirmation that you have permission from the owner of the property to allow the use of the equipment. (This is particularly relevant if long term oxygen has been requested).
  • Permission from the owner to have the equipment delivered before your arrival and have it collected after your departure.

Q. Will I be able to fly if I want to go abroad?
Speak to your health care professional. The mixture of gases in air on an aircraft at altitude has a lower percentage of oxygen than air at sea level. Some airlines will only allow you to use their oxygen supply, others will insist you bring your own so it is always best to check with your airline. Insurance premiums may be higher. A Hypoxic Challenge assessment (fitness to fly assessment) should be considered in all people receiving long term oxygen therapy prior to air travel being considered. For more information see: Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland factsheet: Travel Information [.pdf].

Q. Will I be able to get holiday insurance?
Yes. This is really important if you have to take medical equipment on holiday. For more information see Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland factsheet: Travel and Motor Insurance [.pdf]

For more information see our section on Holidays and travel.

 

Travelling with oxygen

Private car

Private car

In a private car:

  • Ensure that the user and the driver are trained in the correct method of operation of the oxygen equipment.
  • Use the equipment with the car ventilation system set to draw in fresh air from outside the car.
  • Do not allow anyone to smoke in the car.
  • Do not use the oxygen equipment whilst the car is being refuelled.
Double decker bus

Public transport

On public transport

  • Only carry sufficient oxygen for the journey.
  • Ensure you know how to use the equipment.
  • Be aware of the appropriate precautions to be taken whilst using the oxygen equipment on public transport and in the event of an incident.
  • Turn off the equipment when not in use.
  • Ensure that the equipment is secure, not free to roll about, and where required, is supported upright.