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Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
This is a gum containing nicotine, one of a range of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products. NRT helps people to give up smoking by reducing their withdrawal symptoms. People use NRT to help them concentrate on breaking the habit of smoking without going through the ’cravings’. NRT is not a magic cure, but you are twice as likely to succeed in stopping when using it.
"Can I use NRT when I am pregnant?"
If you have found that you cannot give up smoking during your pregnancy you might consider using NRT to help, if the health professional looking after you agrees. It is important to weigh up the risks to you and the baby of continuing to smoke and the benefits of stopping using NRT. Taking a short course of NRT is safer than staying a smoker, because unlike cigarettes NRT doesn’t contain tar, carbon monoxide or poisons.
If you have tried to stop before and found ’cravings’ made it hard to succeed, speak to your doctor, midwife, pharmacist or a stop smoking adviser about using NRT.
"What are the different types of NRT available?"
NRT is available in many forms allowing you to choose which will suit you best.
* Patches: discreet and easy to use, patches work by releasing a steady dose of nicotine into the blood stream, via the skin. Some patches are intended to be worn during the day only and other "24-hour" patches are designed for 24-hour use in order to help stave off early morning cravings. Patches should be applied to a hairless part of your body such as your upper arm but don’t use in the same place two days running. You shouldn’t smoke while your patch is on or use any other form of NRT unless advised by your GP. A week’s supply of patches costs in the region of £15, although you can now ask your GP to make it available to you on prescription.
* Gum: gum allows you to control your nicotine dose. Learning to chew the gum properly is important. The idea is to chew gently until you get the flavour and then "park" the gum in your cheek so that nicotine is absorbed through the lining of the mouth.
* Nasal spray: this is the strongest form of NRT and is a small bottle of nicotine solution, which is sprayed directly into the nose. Absorbed faster than any other kind of NRT, this can help heavier smokers, especially where other forms of NRT have failed.
* Microtab: the microtab is a small white tablet which you put underneath your tongue and leave. It works by being absorbed into the lining of the mouth.
* Lozenge: is like a sweet that you suck slowly. It gives you nicotine in a similar way to the microtab.
* Inhalator: is a plastic device shaped like a cigarette with a nicotine cartridge fitted into it. Sucking on the mouthpiece releases nicotine vapour, which gets absorbed through your mouth and throat. Inhalators are useful for people who miss the hand-to-mouth action of smoking.
About the author:
http://www.givingupsmoking.co.uk
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