For tobacco abusers, nicotine is a harmful and addictive substance. Regular use of tobacco changes your body and slowly adapts to having nicotine substances in it. Quitting tobacco can be difficult as the body starts experiencing withdrawal symptoms. The withdrawal symptoms arise since the body is looking for ways to live without nicotine.
Nicotine replacement therapy will provide nicotine to your body through gums, lozenges, sprays, patches, and inhalers. However, the nicotine in the items is not as harmful as in tobacco. NRT reduces the physical withdrawal symptoms and helps you focus on quitting tobacco use for good. Nevertheless, every nicotine addict is aware of the risks they put on their bodies, such as cancer and other diseases.
Most people believe that nicotine replacement therapy has many chances of helping tobacco addicts quit. Lozenges are among the top NRT that help smokers quit. Here are some signs that you are a serious nicotine addict
- Smoking more than one packet a day. More than a packet of tobacco per day is a serious addiction issue. This means you have smoked in a span of 1-2 hours.
- Smoking when sick. During serious health conditions, the doctor advises patience to quit behaviors like drinking and smoking. When you cannot keep off tobacco even after the doctor's advice to quit, your body is highly dependent on nicotine.
- Waking at night to smoke. Some people will crave nicotine in the middle of the night. Waking up to smoke is a clear sign of addiction.
- Smoking to ease withdrawal symptoms. Most nicotine addicts have tried quitting many times, but the withdrawal symptoms become too much; thus, they have to get smoke to ease the feeling.
How does Nicotine Replacement Therapy work?
Many tobacco addicts can quit smoking without NRT, but the first attempt might fail due to withdrawal symptoms. NRT helps in the reduction of serious withdrawal symptoms and nicotine cravings that temps tobacco addicts in the process of quitting.
Since the introduction of NRT, the number of people who are smoking currently has been lower than that of people who used to smoke and quit. NRT works best with counseling or support. The best time to get NRT is when you decide to quit tobacco smoking.
Nicotine Lozenges as Nicotine Replacement Therapy
A nicotine lozenge can be acquired without a prescription. There are ways to use the lozenges for them to work positively. Here are tips on how to use nicotine lozenges.
- Start with the right dose. Nicotine lozenges are available in two sizes, regular and mini, and each has different strengths; 2 mg and 4 mg. The dosage depends on the time you have your first cigarette and the daily amount you take. For instance, if your first smoke is within the first 30 minutes after waking up, you can start with the 4 mg dosage. If you are using nicotine patches and want to do lozenges, you can use 2 mg. After some period of 2 months, reduce the dosage and eventually, with time, stop using.
- Use one lozenge every 1-2 hours for the first six weeks when trying to quit. Estimate when your tobacco carvings might start kicking in, and use a lozenge before it happens. Use around nine lozenges a day for the first six weeks to ensure that your body has as much nicotine as it is used to.
- If you are using lozenges and patches, use fewer lozenges. Use less than 5 lozenges in 6 hours, especially when you feel like smoking. After several weeks, use 1 lozenge after every 2 hours the afterward 1 lozenge within 5-8 hours.
- If you smoke less than 10 cigarettes or do not smoke daily, ask for medical advice from your doctor about the right dosage.
- Avoid using more than one lozenge at a go since it can lead to heartburn or nausea.
- Avoid eating or drinking for approximately 15 minutes before taking a lozenge or when a lozenge is in the mouth. Foods and drinks that have acid may prevent nicotine lozenges from working.
- Place it between the gum and cheek for better use of the nicotine lozenge. A warm and tingling sensation may follow. Give the lozenge 20-30 minutes to dissolve by moving it around the mouth. Ensure that you do not chew, suck or swallow.
- Ensure that the nicotine lozenges are away from children and pets. In case kids or pets consume the lozenges, they become sick. In case the pet or children accidentally consume the lozenges, seek medical advice as soon as possible.
- In case you smoke when using the lozenges, do not stop using them. It is best to throw away the cigarettes and continue the NRT process.
Benefits of Nicotine Lozenges
Smoking can hurt the heart, eyes, and skin. Therefore quitting smoking can improve your health. Here are some advantages of using nicotine lozenges.
- Nicotine lozenges lower the risk of lung and oral cancer.
- The use of lozenges ensures that you are not at risk of blood clotting
- Nicotine lozenges lower the risk of heart disease and heart failure.
- Nicotine lozenges lower the cholesterol level in the body.
- Nicotine lozenges are easy to use, and results are seen after a short period of usage.
Side Effects of Nicotine Lozenges
- Since the lozenges are placed between the gum and cheeks, prolonged usage may lead to mouth sores.
- Nicotine lozenges may cause nausea, especially during the first days of usage.
- The lozenges can cause heartburn and headache.
- The use of lozenges can cause dizziness.
Nicotine lozenges rarely have allergic reactions in the human body. However, if you notice allergies or the side effects continue for a long time, it is best to seek medical advice from your doctor.
Conclusion
Quitting smoking habits is one of the best decisions one can make. Quitting smoking will enhance your skin, improve your sight, and have many other health benefits. The process of quitting can be difficult, especially if you have been doing it for years. Nevertheless, NRT helps smokers quit with the help of nicotine lozenges. For the right dosage, it is best to consult a medical professional.
