The smoking cessation program at St. Francis Sleep, Allergy & Lung Institute, which is convenient to patients in Clearwater, New Port Richey, and the surrounding FL areas, can help smokers find the motivation and willpower they need to kick this very addictive and detrimental habit. The expert smoking cessation and pulmonary team at St. Francis is led by Dr. Frank Averill, who is board certified in pulmonology and highly experienced in diagnosing and treating a wide variety of pulmonary disorders. He and his staff offer compassionate behavioral coaching complemented by stress reduction classes and medication to help patients break free of the constraints of tobacco.
Most people in Clearwater, Florida, are aware that smoking can cause lung cancer. In fact, the message that “smoking is bad for you” has been around for so long that many people don’t give it, or the importance of smoking cessation, their full attention. But they should. In addition to its harmful effects on the lungs, smoking can damage almost every other organ in the body, leading to cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, various types of cancer, and a host of other health problems.
Long-term smokers might wonder if it is too late for smoking cessation. This is never the case. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, the excess risk of coronary heart disease is cut in half within one year after quitting, and can return to that of a nonsmoker within 15 years of smoking cessation. Moreover, the risk of stroke can return to that of a nonsmoker within five years of quitting.
Former smokers also experience fewer bouts of illness, such as colds and flu; lower rates of bronchitis, pneumonia, and other lung diseases; and generally feel better than people who smoke. Through smoking cessation, a smoker can improve his or her day-to-day life in a multitude of other ways as well, such as :
- Fresher-smelling breath, hair, clothes, car, and home
- Whiter teeth
- Heightened senses of taste and smell
- Cleaner fingers and nails (without yellow stains)
- The ability to engage in everyday activities without experiencing shortness of breath
To learn more about our effective and supportive smoking cessation program, contact St. Francis Sleep, Allergy & Lung Institute today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Averill at his office near Clearwater, New Port Richey, and the surrounding FL communities. With the right program tailored to your individual needs, you can break the addiction, manage your cravings, and join the millions of others who have kicked the habit – for good.