Smoking cessation featured on ‘Healthy Living’
With the annual Great American Smokeout set for Nov. 17, Western Baptist offers resources for those looking to quit.
Hospitalist Ben Thompson, M.D., said smokers are advised to quit because of the many health risks associated with smoking, including cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung problems and osteoporosis.
“There is nothing you can do to benefit yourself from a health perspective more than putting cigarettes down,” he said. “Medication therapy can help and assist. We can give you nicotine in a safer form than smoking cigarettes with nicotine patches, lozenges, gum and inhalers to aid and prevent some of those withdrawal symptoms. Some other medications take away the craving of wanting cigarettes.”
Thompson discusses the dangers of smoking and tips for quitting on “Healthy Living,” a 30-minute program on Paducah’s Channel 2, beginning Wednesday. The program, hosted by Western Baptist customer service director Stacey Young, airs through November at 6 p.m. Wednesdays, 10 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. Fridays. See it at http://tv.westkentucky.kctcs.edu/videoclips/healthy_living/.
In addition, the hospital offers other smoking cessation assistance:
- Cooper-Clayton smoking cessation classes, in conjunction with the Kentucky Cancer Program. For more information, phone Baptist Health Line at (270) 575-2918.
- Online educational materials at http://www.westernbaptist.com/Medical+Services/Heart+Care+Center/Getting+Your+Life+Back/Stop+Smoking+Tips