What is smoking cessation?
Smoking cessation is a therapy to help quit smoking. Depending on the individual’s attitude, different treatments are established, based on a smoking cessation therapy that may include the prescription of smoking cessation pills.
Why is it done?
The aim of smoking cessation is that the patient manages to quit smoking, as it is very harmful to health.
What does it consist of?
Smoking cessation may include different smoking cessation treatments, depending on the patient’s response to them. The three treatments that have been shown to be effective in the largest number of patients are the following:
Nicotine replacement treatment with the use of nicotine patches or gum containing nicotine to provide the body hooked on tobacco with the nicotine it is looking for and thus quit smoking.
Bupropion: antidepressant medication that has proven effective for smoking cessation.
Varenicline: a drug that blocks the effects of nicotine on the nervous system, thus reducing the desire to smoke.
The treatment is usually administered for 12 weeks, although in certain cases it can be prolonged.
Preparation for smoking cessation
This therapy does not require specific preparation, but it is necessary that the patient is aware of the importance of quitting smoking and is willing to do his part in smoking cessation.
Aftercare after the procedure
After all the smoking cessation sessions have been completed, the pulmonologist may provide the patient with instructions and habits to prevent him/her from returning to smoking.