Tag Archives: tobacco use

Culture

Quit Smoking Again

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Did Hollywood glorify smoking? Sophia Loren sharing an on screen moment of smoking.

Yes, I have quit smoking . . . again. I know – I know, you have lost your faith in me because I have stopped and started and stopped and started over and over and over. You have to give me props for my perseverance though right?

It is now day 16 and I am feeling great although I have to admit, cravings still come over me, especially when I have a glass or two of wine and I realize that I have smoked for far too long.

I had my first cigarette when I was a teenager and now that I am midway through my life I am motivated  for my health and for my children.

For the last five years I wasn’t a heavy smoker and to be honest I would never have classified myself as a heavy smoker in all the 26 years that I was smoking. Wow, I can’t believe I have smoked for that long. You know, I gave up a couple times? – when I was pregnant with both my children and last year I quit for a couple of months as well.

My incentive and push was the Quit and Get Fit Program which is sponsored by the Lung Association of Ontario. “Quit and Get Fit is based on scientific studies that demonstrate how physical activity, and even deep breathing, can help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.” I will readily admit that I do not consider myself to be very fit, although my trainer has expressed his amazement at how strong I am, considering I have never really followed any type of fitness regime on a regular basis.

It must be my First Nations blood.

Whatever the reason, the program allows “get fitters”  to take part in personal training sessions at a participating health and fitness club. Basically, you get a sponsored two-month membership and 16 sessions with a trainer. It is a really good opportunity to get familiar with your local fitness center staff and equipment. Many successful quitters will tell you that after stopping smoking they inevitably gain weight and training is a perfect way to prevent this from happening.

For any of you looking to quit smoking, check out the Lung Association of Ontario website for further information.

If it’s too late to register or your local fitness center is not participating I would highly recommend taking up some type of fitness activity. For me, I hope that these two months will turn into years of taking care of myself and becoming a happier and healthier Julie.   For the Silo, Julie Mallon. 

Sci-Tech

Many Adults Have Some Form Of Gum Disease

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Oral and periodontal health are significant parts of the overall well-being of a person. As such, when you find yourself having issues with your teeth or gums, it is important to seek help right away.

A periodontist is best suited to treat problems with your gums as they have received specific training and experience in dealing with periodontal issues. It is actually quite easy to find periodontists in Brossard and nearby areas. But how do you know if you need to see a periodontist as soon as possible? Here are some situations where their expertise will be invaluable.

The Classic Case

The most common way for people to know if they need to visit a periodontist is when their dentist refers them to one. Your dentist will often be extremely familiar with your periodontal condition. If they find that something warrants a more in-depth check or if they need to confirm their initial thoughts about the condition of your periodontal health, he will often refer you to a local periodontist. There is usually a good professional relationship between periodontists and their referring dentists, so you know you will be getting the best care from both of them.

An Initial Evaluation

It is also highly recommended for patients to visit a periodontist even without being referred to one by a dentist. This is because there a lot of cases where an initial evaluation by a periodontist will be the only way to detect a particular disease or condition of the gums and other related organs.

This is especially relevant to those who have conditions that have been linked by scientific studies to an increased susceptibility to periodontal diseases. These include the use of tobacco products, malnutrition, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. People with these conditions should make it a habit to have their gums checked by a periodontist regularly.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that many adults above the age of 30 may have some form of gum disease, so it makes sense for everyone to have an evaluation scheduled to ensure the health of their gums and prevent gum disease.