How Can Nicotine Inhaler Helps You Quit Smoking For Good?

Nicotine Inhaler: Can It Helps You Quit Smoking? - DoctorOnCall

Quitting smoking is not an easy task. There are many obstacles and trials that a smoker faces before successfully quitting smoking forever. Cigarettes are initially an option, over time it can becomes an addiction. Did you know that the power of smoking addiction is the same as addiction to heroin? After quitting smoking, withdrawal symptoms occur due to the loss of nicotine supply which is a painful phase that every ex-smoker has to go through. 

However, there are various treatments that have been created to help alleviate the pain of smokers while experiencing withdrawal symptoms. This treatment is called nicotine replacement therapy which is available in the form of chewing gum, nicotine inhalation and even nicotine patch. Let's take a closer look on what nicotine inhalation is and how it helps many people quit smoking. 

What Is Nicotine Inhalation?

Have you ever heard of nicotine inhalers that are used to quit smoking? Nicotine inhalers were created to give the illusion of smoking without the harmful effect of cigarettes. Studies show that in order to help smokers quit smoking, they need to be helped through the physical aspects of smoking, namely the feeling of cigarette in between the fingers, in the mouth, the smell of cigarettes and vision.

How does nicotine inhalation help you to quit smoking? Nicotine inhalation helps in two ways, namely:

  • Gives the sensation as you hold and smoke a cigarette
  • Provides nicotine in small quantities to help relieve the symptoms of nicotine from cigarette loss 

This nicotine inhaler is supplied with a cartridge containing 4 milligrams of nicotine. Nicotine inhalation is not as harmful as cigarettes because it does not contain chemicals that can damage your body. It is just a tool to help you get rid of nicotine addiction by giving low dose of nicotine.

How To Properly Use Nicotine Inhalation

A nicotine inhaler kit comes with a nicotine inhaler and a nicotine cartridge. One cartridge supplies 4 mg of nicotine in every 80 puffs. So let's see how to properly use nicotine inhaler.

There are various types of nicotine inhaler available in the market. Therefore, each inhaler may have a different way of use. Read the label and follow the instructions on the box before you use it or seek medical advice. Here are the general ways to use a nicotine inhaler.

  • Attach the cartridge to your nicotine inhaler, following the correct installation instructions.
  • When the tool is ready to use, inhale deeply down to your throat. Let the suction linger in your mouth and throat only. Do not inhale until it reaches the lungs. 
  • Inhale several times in 20 minutes. Each cartridge will last for only 20 minutes.
  • Replace the cartridge with a new cartridge after 20 minutes of use. It may be necessary to use this tool more often in the early stages of quitting smoking. 
  • Clean the mouthpiece of the nicotine inhaler with water and soap before storing. 

Most individuals who have just quit smoking will use 6 to 12 nicotine cartridges a day. Your doctor can increase the number of cartridges you can use in the first week you start quitting smoking but you should not use more than 16 cartridges a day without a doctor's instructions.

Over time as the body adjusts to declining nicotine levels, your doctor will assess your need to either stop using nicotine inhalers or use them with a lower dose of nicotine.

It is best to avoid eating or drinking within 15 minutes before and after using nicotine inhalers. You are also not encouraged to use nicotine inhalations for more than 6 months.

The Difference Between Nicotine Inhalation and E- Cigarettes

For your information, nicotine inhalers are different from vape or e-cigarettes. Nicotine inhaler is only available by a doctor's prescription and has been approved as a tool to help individuals quit smoking. Nicotine from the inhalers only remains in the mouth and throat, while inhaling vapors from vapes and e-cigarettes reach the lungs and this is harmful. The nicotine content in vape and e-cigarettes is not fixed because users can modify the nicotine content and cause the amount of nicotine to be indeterminate. Unlike nicotine inhalers, doctors control the amount of nicotine you would use. E-cigarettes also contain other chemicals that are harmful to health.

E-cigarettes may be widely used with the intention of helping to quit smoking. But studies show that in reality you would inhale more nicotine than usual through e-cigarettes. This is due to uncontrolled nicotine levels and can be modified by the user.

Therefore, stop using or marketing e-cigarettes or vape with capital as a smoking cessation tool. It does not help, it even endangers health. Find out if you're nicotine-dependent with this quiz!

Nicotine Inhalation Side Effects

Although the amount of nicotine in a nicotine inhaler is not as much as nicotine in cigarettes, it can still have side effects. Some of these side effects are due to nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Even if you smoke nicotine from nicotine inhalers, a small amount can still cause your body to experience withdrawal symptoms due to the loss of nicotine. Among the side effects of nicotine inhalation are:

  • Dry mouth and throat
  • Cough
  • Runny nose
  • Headache
  • Stomach pain

Nicotine replacement therapy

In addition to nicotine inhalers, there are several other types of nicotine replacement therapy that can be used to help you quit smoking. Like nicotine inhalers, these methods provide you with a low dose of nicotine to relieve symptoms of nausea when your nicotine levels decrease. Among the nicotine replacement therapies available in the market are:

  • Nicotine chewing gum
  • Nicotine lozenges
  • Nasal spray 
  • Nicotine patch

1. Nicotine chewing gum or lozenges

  • Eat 1 - 2 nicotine chewing gum or lozenge every hour if you are new at quitting smoking. You should not eat more than 20 chewing gum or lozenge in one day.
  • Chew slowly and let the chewing gum lie between your gums and cheeks so that it can absorb nicotine more effectively.
  • After drinking coffee, tea or carbonated water, you need to wait 15 minutes before eating chewing gum or nicotine lozenges 
  • The goal is to stop depending on chewing gum and nicotine lozenges after 12 weeks. If you want to use it for a longer period you need to talk to your doctor.

2. Nasal nicotine spray

  • When you just started quitting smoking, you use the nasal spray  by spraying 1-2 times into both nostrils every hour. You should not use this spray more than 80 times in 1 day.
  • Nicotine nasal spray should not be used for more than 6 months
  • This spray will cause irritating side effects on the nose, eyes and throat, but will disappear in a few days.

3. Nicotine Patch

  • Nicotine patch is available in pharmacies without the need for a prescription from a doctor, but it cannot be used without control.
  • The way to use it is by sticking a patch for 24 hours. Replace each patch after 24 hours of use.
  • Each time you replace the patch, you need to paste it on a different part of the abdomen or on the neck.
  • Place the patch on the hairless part of the body to make it easier to remove the patch after use.

If the methods listed above do not work, your doctor may prescribe a non-smoking drug at a pharmacy such as bupoprion or varenicline.

Nicotine Poisoning

Although nicotine replacement therapy is a good thing to help quit smoking, if the methods are misused, it can cause nicotine poisoning or even called nicotine overdose where the level of nicotine in the body exceeds the proper rate. If you have just stopped smoking, you need to talk to your doctor to determine the right way for you to use nicotine replacement therapy. Among the possible symptoms of nicotine overdose are:

  • Confusion
  • Dizziness
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomachache
  • Vomiting
  • Constantly sweating
  • Vision becomes blurry
  • Hearing problems

If you experience any symptoms of nicotine poisoning please see a doctor immediately.

Conclusion

There are various aids to quit smoking. There is no denying that quitting smoking is a very difficult thing and the withdrawal symptoms often make smokers give up. But if you have a strong determination, you are able to face whatever obstacles to enjoy the benefits of quitting smoking. If you fail once or even multiple times, do not make that failure an excuse for you to continue to despair. Believe that you can succeed one day and live free without smoking.

Thinking of quitting? Consult our doctor for FREE!


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