smoking

One of our main focuses here at Matthews Internal Medicine is preventative medicine. Eliminating bad health habits and cutting out behavior that can lead to the development of deadly diseases later on in life is our specialty. That’s why we place so much importance on our smoking cessation programs.

Smoking is linked to a variety of terrible diseases, from heart disease to cancer. You probably don’t need to be told that. The problem is that quitting can be so difficult, even when you know the stakes. There are a variety of methods that can be used, from employing nicotine patches to quitting cold turkey. Nicotine mouth spray has attracted some attention recently, so we wanted to see if it could be an effective smoking cessation tool.

What is it?

If you’ve never seen nicotine mouth spray before, you could easily mistake it for a breath freshener. This small spray bottle can be used any time you feel like you want a cigarette. Just spray under the tongue or inside of your cheek. This ensures that the nicotine makes its way into your body slowly, prolonging its effectiveness. Nicotine mouth spray is relatively easy to find at many pharmacies and can be used roughly four times per hour.

How Can it Help?

Nicotine is the substance that really has you addicted to cigarettes. Turning to another source for it can make quitting much easier. Alone, it can potentially double your chance of quitting successfully. It replaces some of the nicotine you would normally get from cigarettes and helps with the cravings. It can also help reduce the occurrence of common withdrawal symptoms, including irritability and anxiety. It can be even more effective when combined with another smoking cessation method, including meeting with our physicians who want to help you quit.

Pros and Cons

As we mentioned, nicotine mouth spray can increase your chance of quitting. A recent study showed of more than 200 smokers showed that the subjects who used it were far more likely to quit than the placebo group. It’s relatively easy to find and it’s also simple to use. It also acts fast, getting the nicotine you’re craving to the brain in just a few minutes. Overall, it’s an effective way to deal with your cravings.

On the other hand, you could require a refill fairly often since nicotine mouth spray can be used up to four times an hour. Depending on your cravings, that could mean an individual spray lasts as little as four days. Since it’s recommended that you use nicotine mouth spray for around eight to twelve weeks, you’ll definitely want to stock up and make sure you don’t run out. Another common con is that some people simply don’t like the taste of the spray. If you try it and just can’t get used to it, another smoking cessation method might be more effective for you.

Smoking Cessation Solutions from Your Matthews, NC Internist

Whatever tools you decide to lose, Matthews Internal Medicine is ready to help if you’re ready to quit smoking. Visit our office today and talk to our physicians about preventative medicine and see how you can start living a healthier life right now. We look forward to hearing from you.